Toning Shoes?

[jerseygirl81]

So many people seem to buying toning shoes lately, I was wondering if you have them do you like them do you feel they work and how often do you where them? If I bought a pair I would'nt be able to wear them to work so I'm not sure if I would benefit from them enough. Also what brand you have. Thanks for the opinions, Linda

 

[Princess Nancy]

I have 2 pair of the Reebok Easy tones.

I don't know about the toning issue, because I do not measure my legs etc...

That said I am 45 years old and my feet LOVE them. They are comfy and so supportive! They look decent (unlike the odd look of shapeups).

My Mom who is 67 (and in good shape) had knee replacement surgery last year. She bought a pair to wear on a 5 day trip to NYC and Boston. I was nervous because she bought then the day before the trip. She wore them everyday and LOVED them. She said her feet and her legs never bothered her.

My final "tribute"... I went to Disney for 3 days. I did not want to wear my pretty new Easy Tones because they would get dirty. My feet and legs were killing me after the first day. I wore my Easy tones on the rest of the trip and never once thought about my feet or legs again. It was not until I got on the plane that I thought...Hey, wow, my legs don't feel exhausted.

I am convinced my legs are stronger because they do not seem to ever get as tired. I also think my knee that bothers me sometimes does better in these shoes.

 

[Happiest mommy]

both my sister and I had Shape-ups and they killed our backs and also one of her knees

 

[Scully12]

I have the Reebok RunTones. I don't know if they really work or if it's just a mental thing. Either way I like them.

 

[patsal]

I hae 2 pair, the Reebok Easy Tones and the Skeechers.
I use the Reebok Easy Tones at the gym daily at the gym on the treadmill and any other walking I do when I want a more flattering regular sneaker.
I use the skeechers occasionally at work and usually all weekend and when I walk outdoors a few miles per day.

I feel they do work and really help to add core balance strength. When I began using skeechers I didn't think about it but my claves and upper rear thighs were killing me and I couldn't think of why...duh the sneakers...anyway I feel like they work to enhance my workout and give better results than walking with just an ordinary sneaker.

 

[CruiseBoundnKY]

I have the Sketcher's brand and I LOVE them!! I bought mine because I have heel spurs and a few other issues. They are the best!!

Karen

 

[EPCOT is a verb]

I would love to hear a podiatrist's opinion on these.

 

[Mickey527]

I would love to hear a podiatrist's opinion on these.

My podiatrist recommended "rocker" shoes for me years ago to help my neuropathy in my feet . I used to buy reebock rockers but they stopped making them when they started making the shape-ups. I wear the shape-ups now and love them. I don't notice any toneing but can walk around much longer than I used to. The shape-ups soles are higher than the rockers but I do notice when I wear regular shoes or even slippers my feet go numb but in the shape-ups they don't as quickly or as often.
the old fashioned rocker shoes only had a small bump on the sole where the arch is.
My son is a chef and I bought him some shape-ups about a month ago. He came home the first night and said his feet never felt better. He went right out and bought another pair for wearing every day. He is 6'4" and about 240 lbs (not that it makes any difference) but loves the shoes.

 

[Mom2SamandJames]

I have the New Balance toning shoes. I can't attest to the toning part, but I can tell you my feet feel so much better on the days I wear them. I teach preschool so I am constantly moving, and these shoes are awesome! The days I don't wear them to work, I know it.

 

[TinaMcTeer]

My Dr. said to avoid them, it'll lead to problems with you achilles tendon if you wear them often.

 

[IDoDis]

Recent studies show that toning shoes make no difference in getting one toned or in better shape.

http://running.about.com/b/2010/07/23/do-toning-shoes-work.htm

 

[disneylove69]

I haven't noticed my self firming up like the commercial but I have been wearing the Shape-up for almost a yr now and my plantar facities is gone. I also don't have the lower back aches. My backside muscles were sore like I worked out and I forgot I had been wearing my shoes for awhile. I tried on other shoes similar to the Shape ups but found them to be a little unbalanced.

 

[wdwaholic]

both my Podiatrist and Orthopedist advised me to stay away from them.I have 2 Skechers and 1 New Balance and have developed knee problems since wearing them-never had problems before. I've stopped wearing them about 6 weeks ago after wearing them for about 9 months and my knees are just now starting to feel better.Loved how they made my heel spurs feel better but hated what they did to my knees
Trish

 

[jaminmd]

Wearing them for personal comfort is an individual choice but the whole "toning" thing is a load of bull. You need to do squats, lunges, etc. to tone your legs & butt. No miracle sneaker will do that for you. It peeves me that they get away with advertising that.

It's the same as weight loss - you've got to work at it. No miracle pill or diet will do the work for you.

Not mean to be rude to anyone.

 

[rusty4]

I just bought a pair of the easy toners by reebok this week. They feel great on my feet. Much more comfortable than my regular sneakers. I got them for $39.99 after a poster here had a thread for a sale at 6pm.com. Not sure if I would spend $80 on them though.

I also have a pair of MBT's in a sandal version. I do not notice toning except for the fact that they involve my core. My stomach is actually tightening as I walk so that is a great thing. I have very poor posture and low back pain as a result of the poor posture. These make you walk and stand properly therefore no back pain on the day's I wear them. They are super ugly though!

 

[mmkk]

I know there are reports and people out there that say they don't work but I have a pair of Avia's that when I where them while walking, I definitley feel the burn of my muscles more than when I just where my regular walking shoes. I can't say that I am overall more tone because of them but I also think they work my leg muscles harder which is a good thing. They are also more comfortable to me than my regular walking shoes.

I guess if you already have back/knee problems I would definitley talk to my doctor first.

Also I wanted to mention that Kohl's has some Avia Avi-Motion shoes in 10 and 11 wide on clearance right now (don't know what size you are but thought it was worth mentioning) for 29.99 (use FREECCDEC for free shipping and NEXTORDER20 for an extra 20% off) as well as some Sketcher's Work Shape-ups in several sizes (they aren't very attractive-look more like nurses shoes) for 43.98 and use the above codes for the free shipping and extra 20% off.

 

[IDoDis]

I know there are reports and people out there that say they don't work but I have a pair of Avia's that when I where them while walking, I definitley feel the burn of my muscles more than when I just where my regular walking shoes. I can't say that I am overall more tone because of them but I also think they work my leg muscles harder which is a good thing. They are also more comfortable to me than my regular walking shoes.

I guess if you already have back/knee problems I would definitley talk to my doctor first.

Also I wanted to mention that Kohl's has some Avia Avi-Motion shoes in 10 and 11 wide on clearance right now (don't know what size you are but thought it was worth mentioning) for 29.99 (use FREECCDEC for free shipping and NEXTORDER20 for an extra 20% off) as well as some Sketcher's Work Shape-ups in several sizes (they aren't very attractive-look more like nurses shoes) for 43.98 and use the above codes for the free shipping and extra 20% off.

http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/truth-about-toning-shoes

From the article:

Many people do feel that these shoes work because of soreness in different muscles. Don't be fooled, Bryant says. The shoe’s unstable sole design does cause wearers to use slightly different muscles to maintain balance, resulting in temporary soreness that will subside as the body adjusts to the shoe, he says.