If you love running, then footwear is something you will spend a lot of money on, and a ton of time wearing. And if you are a beginner, you probably undertook running because you wanted to lose some weight. So how about a magic shoe that will help you lose weight, tone your butt and curb joint pain, all while walking through your normal daily activities. Toning shoes seem to be the latest hype for individuals wanting fat reduction as well as toning.
What are Toning Shoes?
Toning shoes are fitness shoes that are designed to improve your health and body with regular daily wear. They are similar to rocker-bottom shoes (or rocker sole shoes) often used as specialty shoe for people with diabetes or ankle problems. The idea behind toning shoes is that their unstable and strongly curved sole forces you to find a balance point, making you work harder and use muscles that you otherwise would not use like muscles in your feet, legs, butt and abs. This tones your thighs and butt, and help you lose weight. Walking in toning shoes is similar to walking barefoot along a sandy beach or exercising on a balance board in the gym.
Leg toning shoes were first created in the mid 1990s by a Swiss engineer, who observed that the Masai people, by walking bare footed on soft ground, used to constantly balance their bodies. As a result, they used to suffer from little to no leg and back pain. Leg toning shoes attempt to replicate this outcome.
What benefits do they claim?
Various companies claim the following benefits
- Better posture
- Improved blood circulation and aerobic conditioning
- Increased ankle stability
- Enhanced workout of all muscles
- Better muscle tone in your legs, back, buttocks and abdominal muscles
- Less body fat
- Increased exercise tolerance.
Do Toning Shoes Work?
Recently the American Council on Exercise (ACE) conducted two studies to validate the fitness claims that various companies have been making. One study to evaluate the exercise responses to walking in different toning shoes (Skechers Shape-Ups, MBT (Masai Barefoot Technology), and Reebok EasyTone) versus regular running shoes (a New Balance running shoe). The second study to evaluate the muscle usage in calves, quads, hamstrings, buttocks, back, and abs when walking in toning shoes compared to regular running shoes. As part of the first study, 12 active women aged 19-24 completed a dozen five-minute intervals on a treadmill while wearing toning shoes and regular running shoes. For the second study, a second group of 12 women aged 21-27 performed a similar five-minute treadmill tests in the various shoes.
The two studies found no significant difference in muscle usage or calories burned when wearing toning shoes versus quality athletic shoes. There is simply no evidence to support the claims that these shoes will help wearers exercise more intensely, burn more calories or improve muscle strength and tone.
However, shoe makers have some doubts about this study. First, the study group was very small (just 12 young and fit women) and involved walking for only five minutes on a treadmill. Second, the study may be biased as it was conducted by ACE which represent fitness trainers. If people start using these shoes instead of going to gym and hiring a personal trainer, then they have the most to lose.
Also, a lot of people claim that after they wore these shoes they felt the same soreness which one feels after a heavy workout. The researchers say that isn't the case. The shoe's unstable sole design forces you to use slightly different muscles than other shoes, but that doesn't necessarily translate into toning the butt and thighs. Wearing any shoe that's different may cause some temporary soreness that will subside as the body adjusts to the shoe.
So what should I do?
The research concluded that the key advantage of these types of shoes is that they make the consumer more excited to walk or get moving more often. So when they buy these shoes they think that exercise is more fun and they eventually start seeing result. If that is the case, then go out and get them.
Many people find these shoes comfortable because of their thick cushy soles. So try them and if you like the comfort that it provides, there is no harm in buying them.
Have you tried toning shoes? Do you think they work?
Useful article.