If someone told you that you could tone up your legs and trim down your butt without having to go to the gym would you be interested? It sounds too good to be true – but there are now a whole range of shoes from a variety of different manufacturers which claim to be able to help you do exactly that. They come in a wide variety of styles and colors – a lot of them don’t look like exercise shoes at all and are extremely fashionable.
The general approach seems to be to replicate the mechanics of walking barefoot on soft ground – like sand or lush grass for example. Most of these new high tech fitness shoes achieve this by the use of specially designed soles. Use of the correct density of materials in the construction of the shoes also seems to be an important factor.
Masai Barefoot Technology Shoes (MBTs)
These are probably the forerunner of the current range of shoes on the market. As a matter of fact, they aren’t really fitness shoes. They were invented by Karl Muller, a Swiss engineer. He was walking barefoot across a rice field in Korea when noticed that his back pain, a perennial problem for him, was considerably better than usual.
He did some research and was interested to learn that the Masai are well known for their good posture and have a very low incidence rate of lower back pain. He designed the MBT range with a curved sole to produce a rolling motion and avoid jarring. Wearers certainly seem very enthusiastic regarding the benefits.
Fitflops Sandals, Boots And Shoes
The Fitflops range of fitness footwear was developed in the UK by ex-personal fitness trainer Marcia Kilgore. These also feature a curved sole to mimic walking on soft ground in bare feet and incorporate something called “microwobbleboard” technology. Testing at London South Bank University and Salford University in the UK has shown that the lower body muscles are engaged for longer when walking in Fitflops, in comparison with standard shoes. Fitflops are, according to the company website, the sandal with the gym built in. They tone your lower body as you walk around during the course of your daily routine.
Of all the different specially designed fitness shoes available, Fitflops are probably the least like conventional fitness footwear. They have sandals available in a wide range of colors and styles and have introduced clogs, slippers and boots. In addition to the independent testing, Fit flops users have anecdotally reported a variety of different benefits available from wearing these shoes. Improved posture, reduced cellulite and reduced heel spur pain are amongst the various benefits cited. Conventional flip flop type sandals can actually be a source of significant foot problems. Fitflops have received the American Podiatric Medical Association’s seal of approval.
Skechers Shape Ups
Skechers Shape Ups shoes also incorporate a curved sole which uses specially selected materials in its construction. Again the idea is to reproduce the effect of walking barefoot on soft sand. Studies in the USA and Japan have concluded that wearing Shape Ups while you walk can provide a number of benefits to wearers.
Reeboks Easy Tones
Reeboks contribution to the latest trend in fitness shoes is the most recent addition to the market. Unlike the other shoes mentioned thus far, these do not incorporate a curved sole but use special balance pods filled with air which are built into the sole. These produce “natural instability” when you walk in them and this makes your muscles work a little harder as they try to compensate and regain balance.
Once again, a number of independent tests appear to support the assertion that the lower body muscles do extra work whilst walking in this design of shoe. There are also a large number of favourable reviews from the wearers of Easy Tones, on the company website (of course) and elsewhere.
When you think about it, it’s not too hard to imagine how shoes that are able to produce the mechanical characteristics of walking on a soft yielding surface like sand could encourage your muscles to carry out some extra work. It’s probably also reasonable to assume that, if you’re trying to regain your balance on a constant basis, then that might make your muscles work a little bit harder. It’s certainly a very nice idea – getting a free lower body workout just by walking about as you would be doing anyway. It may well be worth a try. There are so many of these wonder shoes on the market right now – and they cost no more than ordinary fitness shoes – that you could probably get a pair that you liked the next time you need new shoes anyway.
Increase the effectiveness of your walking workout routine using Fit flops exercise shoes. Keep your motivation levels high by using an Omron pedometer to monitor your progress.
from: http://healthandfitnessreport.info/what-can-the-latest-range-of-exercise-shoes-do-for-you/
