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“Chisel your butt and legs!”
“Burns more calories!”
“Makes the gym obsolete!”
Hang on sistah, let’s not get carried away with what the “toning” shoes can do. Do they really give you a better body? Have they replaced other workout routines for women as a lower body training tool?
If you watch the ads on these funky-looking shoes, the message is powerful: lace these on and your backyard will look like our model’s, just by replacing your regular footwear with these. Even high profile athletes like Joe Montana are pushing them.
Do they live up to the claims?
As revealed in my quick video above, independent research conducted by ACE (American Council on Exercise) demonstrates no statistically significant difference in wearing any brand of “toning” shoes over your typical walking or running shoes.
No tests were done on weighted shoes in this case, which may be another story altogether. We’re just talking about the high-wedge “toners”.
Six site test
ACE used electromyography to measure muscle activation at 6 different sites.
To measure muscle activation, researchers recruited a second group of 12 physically active female volunteers, ages 21 to 27 years, who performed a similar battery of five-minute treadmill trials (as explained above) rotating shoes at random. Researchers used electromyography (a.k.a. EMG) to record muscle activity in six muscle areas: gastrocnemius (calf), rectus femoris (quads), biceps femoris (hamstrings), gluteus maximus (buttocks), erector spinae (back), and rectus abdominis (abs), as subjects walked in each of the four pairs of shoes. As a baseline for EMG analysis, maximum voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) on all muscles were also performed using manual muscle techniques prior to testing.
The Results
Guess what? No evidence emerged to support the claims that these shoes will help wearers exercise more intensely, burn more calories or improve muscle strength and tone.
Save your cash…unless
Priced at from $100 – $225, if you are looking for the magic toning bullet, save your cash and put it into something proven to add muscle workload to your walks by adding more resistance, like weighted vests, belts, or hand-held weights.
Unless, of course, you find these shoes so dang fun that you can’t wait to get out on your daily walk, in which case I say money well spent! Many women find these shoes comfortable and with their thick cushy soles, a cushion to the press of foot to floor all day long.
And remember, a proven method for firing up calorie consumption while boosting metabolism and muscle challenge is Burst Training, or High Intensity Interval Training, as detailed in my free Fitness Breakthrough Kit.
Download the ACE Report
You can download the “toning shoes” report from ACE and read the whole skinny here:
What do YOU think about these shoes? Do you have a pair? Like ’em? Why? Do they get you out walking more often? No? Please share your thoughts in comments below.
Well, you are right about that – the commercials (like you say in your video) sure do make you want those shoes! I’m grateful for your research reporting, it always helps me cut through and makes things clearer. The video is great!
Lis –
Hey Lise, so you know the ads I’m talking about? Gotta be vigilant about that advertising! Thanks for your comments!
Lani
Thanks for much for this timely report – I was wondering if they migh be worth it, but I’m quite happy to save my money!
Well Angela, like I say, if they get you inspired to walk then that’s a good thing. But if that thrill wears off fast, you could probably do just as well with the more economic regular walking and running shoes. Glad the report helped! Thanks for your post.
Lani
This is never mentioned, but the one thing I have noticed about my shape-ups is that I can stand up longer without getting tired, when I have them on as opposed to any of my regular sneakers. When I go to a soccer or baseball game I like to stand up for the 1-3 hours and I have way more stamina when I wear my shape-ups. I am also more aware of my posture when I have them on.
Would I buy them again? In a heartbeat.
Hey Janet, thanks for the notes from your personal experience. As the article pointed out, these shoes also have a lot more cushioning than regular-soled shoes which adds to the comfort. Sounds like a good choice for the ball game! Thanks so much for sharing.
Lani
I found some Dr. Scholls at WalMart for around $36. They are VERY comfortable and make my walk to work fun. And, maybe it’s all in my head, but I feel my “backyard” much more…. I always try to use correct T-Tapp stance when I walk, but this just seems to take it to a new level. (And I REALLY felt it the next day…)
Hi Cbuffy! Dr. Scholl’s brand of tone shoes? That is quite the bargain! It’s great to hear you find them fun and energizing.
The article points out that people DO report “feeling” a difference. The EMG reports simply showed that this did not, however, show up as a difference in scientific readings of muscle activation.
Thanks for your reflections!
Lani
I tried on a pair of Reebok sandals….didn’t like the feel.. love my vibram five fingers!
Gotta put those on my list – never tried ’em! You must tell me more!
Lani
Lani,
Finally a voice of reason. I never believed the commercials about them toning the “backyard” more than regular exercise shoes.
That said, my husband bought them. He stands at a case three to four hours straight, saying they are the most comfortable pair of shoes he has ever had, and plans to buy a second pair to alternate.
I might even consider buying a pair for the comfort — when the price comes down!
Thanks for your sage advice.
~Karen
Hey Karen, seems to be a commonality with these shoes – the extra “cush” underfoot for comfort. At the same time, in some email responses I’ve gotten to this blog there have been 2 reports of broken ankles from twisting on the high rise of the wedge. Oh dear!
Lani
I’ve been wearing Skechers Tone-Ups and Shape-Ups for 6 months. I love the cushy feeling and the comfort of both types. I’ve had a bad case of plantar fascitis (sp!)….aching heels…
and it’s entirely gone. Also I can stand and walk in these shoes much longer. I have also several pairs of MBTs that I’ve really liked wearing. Prefer the Skechers however. Worth the money for the comfort!!
Marilyn, yes, people do report in the great ‘cushy’ feel of the thick soles! However, caution also needs to be taken with the high rise, just as with any other thick soled shoe or heel; a sudden twist of an ankle can spell serious doom. For straight forward walking, though, you are probably at minimal risk. Thanks for the brand recommend and for sharing your thoughts.