All toning shoe brands (Skecher Shape-Ups, Reebok EasyTone, MBT, etc.) say they have studies that prove that their shoes tone more muscles and help burn more calories. But now the American Council on Exercise sponsored a completely independent study to test these claims. And the results are: no difference from a good pair a regular New Balance running shoes.
The research team included John Porcari, John Greany, Ph.D., StephanieTepper, M.S., Brian Edmonson, B.S., and Carl Foster, Ph.D. They made two studies. One focused on calorie burning while walking three to 3.5 miles per hour on a treadmill, with and without incline, and one on muscle activation for all of the muscles the toning shoes say they tone (hamstrings, glutes, abs, quads, etc.)
There was no statistical difference between calorie burning or muscle activation with the New Balance regular running shoes, Skechers Shape-Ups, Reebok EasyTone, and MBT shoes.
The conclusion reported in their online report: "Across the board, none of the toning shoes showed statistically significant increases in either exercise response or muscle activation during any of the treadmill trials. 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."
The researchers did grant that buying a pair of toning shoes can be the incentive that gets somebody to walk. They are the toy that motivates a person to put miles into their investment in the shoes. That is a positive outcome. But it is unlikely that they will produce results beyond what the walker would get with any good pair of running/walking shoes.
What do you think? Review your toning shoes.
- Reader Reviews of Skechers Shape-Ups
- Reader Reviews of Reebok RunTone and EasyTone Shoes
- Review of the MBT Sport Walker
Photo © Wendy Bumgardner
I see a major flaw in this study, and I do not agree with the conclusions drawn from it. If the tests were done on a treadmill, then the person would be in motion, walking, during the entire study. However, I am certain the test would yield different results if the subjects were followed for an entire day. This is because during times when a person is NOT walking, such as standing in line at the bank, the shoes require the person to balance themselves. Relaxing the muscles the way one might in a standard pair of New Balance shoes would not be possible in a pair of MBTs or other similar shoe. Relaxing causes a rocking motion, and the person would have to contract muscles to balance themselves. I believe additional muscle toning benefits would be seen if the study had included non-treadmill activities in the study.
All I can say is from personal experience: if I walk at the same pace on a treadmill, for the same length of time, using Skechers Shapeups instead of regular sneakers, I feel a more substantial burn in my leg muscles, and am far more sweaty. That indicates a better workout with the toning shoes than without.
Basically, I walked for 30 minutes, at a 4.0 pace, on a slight incline. Why did the workout feel so much more intense in terms of muscle burn in my legs and working up a sweat with the toning shoes? I have been doing this “test” repeatedly since early March.
Is it my imagination, Wendy?
I don’t discount your personal experience, that’s why I provide User Reviews for you to share your experience with everyone. I have dozens of reader reviews for Skechers Shape-Ups. I myself could feel the difference in using the Chung Shi shoes after a 10 minute walk, so I do think there is some muscle activation. But the EMG test doesn’t lie, either, and neither does heart rate. But in this blog post, I’m just reporting on the study, and letting toning shoe lovers and toning shoe haters have their say.
Interesting study. The results may disappoint many people but I’ll focus on the positive: the placebo effect matters. If a certain pair of shoes makes a person more inclined to exercise with enthusiasm, than can only be a good thing. I’m still going to buy a pair of these toning sneakers for my mom.
Nita Leotta
http://splendids.com
Hi,
These shoes were invented in Switzerland. Here they are to support the move back problems,,,, When you roll off permanently clean and balance has to keep it refreshing only the back muscles. Every shoe, or the sole but should be fully adapted to the foot of the medically pantienten. So its more or less a joke from TV that you lose much whigte!
Wendy- the study was interesting. I question a bit its use of subjects (19-24 y/o fit athletic women) and that the time on the treadmill was relatively short. That could cause the results to be skewed in favor of their thesis that there is no benefit.
The article at the end also says that people should walk with weights to ramp up their workout, which I think you say is a bad idea.
I don’t know- I’d like to know who backed this study. Is it as objective as it claims to be, or is it by someone with an axe to grind?
If you agree that muscle activation occurs by the unbalanced effect, then I’d suggest that the shoes are doing what they’re intended to do- provide additional workout benefit beyond that which you would get by walking in “normal” walking/running shoes.
wow- who performed this test? I bought a pair of Chung Shi shoes (initially for my low back) and was advised to only wear them 15 minutes my first day, and slowly break them in. I didn’t listen very well, and walked around the mall in the shoes, probably about an hour. SORE (good sore!) is the only word I can use to describe my calves, hamstrings, quads and butt the next day.
I do not believe this based on my own experience. A few years ago I bought a pair of MBTs and lost weight rapidly with no extra effort. This may have been due to the fact that I was falling asleep earlier – less chance to snack! I am sure that you use more energy in MBTs because I fell asleep and needed to wear less clothes.
However I believe that the new MBTs are not as effective – though the sellers tried to insist they were. They are no longer manufactured by the same people – it is more profit orientated. Anyway this is my opinion – based on my experience!
I just want to say about New Balance, they are very ignorant towards their customers. They are sold in Sweden but they do not have any representative here. When I for about 4-5 years ago bought a new pair New Balance broke the lining very soon. They are very expensive and one could expect more. I had nowhere to complain so I e-mailed to England but they didn’t even bother to answer. I will never buy NB again nor recommend them.
As an older person (and exercise enthusiast), I look for shoes that will help me to keep my balance and avoid hurting myself by overusing certain muscles in my legs or, especially, my back. When I have secure footing (especially in a pair of the newer lightweight sneakers), I feel like exercising and I feel good during and after my workout.
I was not interested in toning shoes because I couldn’t be sure that their designs were safe for me to use and I prefer not to hurt (much) after my workouts. I have enough aches and pains as it is.
I think these shoes are marketed to appeal to couch potatoes looking for an easy way to burn calories – that is not an accurate description of the people who read Wendy’s walking posts! The couch potatoes will probably stop wearing the shoes because they make some of their muscles sore (who craves pain?) People who exercise regularly are better off with a well-built walking or running shoe that distributes the load over all muscle groups.
I think they work cause they get you moving…if you think it’s doing a better job and you weren’t a walker to begin with but bought these to go out walking, then I’d say they work better!
I bought the “shoes” and found out the hard way that my fracture in my foot had been reinjured in a new way. OUCH! No, they don’t work, it’s all in the mind. Pretty smart advertising, I’d say. I’m out almost $100 and didn’t get a thing for it.
UGH!
My calves ached after having my sketchers on allllll day at work. During the day I did not feel anything but when I began to wind down at home I was in pain…so much pain that I have to discontinue wearing the shoes. Maybe they should have an extended study; concluding their finding of 8 hours or longer
I will stick to my running shoes.
I’m curious about how they tested calorie burning. What kind of test can you do to see if you’re burning more calories? Is it just heartrate etc., or is there some way to actually tell exactly how many calories are being burned? Anyone know?
you know ,i love this forum ,it is ery usefiul ,i know many things from here ,very good ,and i know this kind shoes,the name is
MBT shoes ,is that right ? i know a place where have it ,very good ,hehe.i think you will very interesting it ,is taht right ?haha
I do feel some kind of burn when walking faster, particularly in my calves and shins. BUT…I did not buy Sketchers Shape-Ups for this reason. I bought them because it feels like I am walking on clouds, literally. And with plantar fasciitis I’ll take all the help I can get.
How about Reezig shoes Wendy? Do you feel the same about them? Or Skechers Resistance Runners?
I am very happy with the results from my Skecher ShapeUps. The most noticeable benefit has been improved posture…that for me is a major bonus. For whatever reason, they cause me to stand and walk more upright, shoulders up and back…they automatically want to fall into proper alignment. I like the look of the shoes and the extra height they give me. I don’t care about the study, I am enjoying pleasurable benefits.
Hi
I bought 2 pair, can’t say they did any good as far as weight lose or toning but I know for a fact they really helped with my lower back pain. I think it may have to do with the fact you use different muscles to balance yourself therefore strenghting your core muscles.
I bought a pair of Reebok simply tone 2 months ago and have not seen any difference. I am already a regular walker and while I do enjoy the comfort of my new shoe I was disappointed that it didn’t actually tone.
hi ,
sorry.
These shoes go by various names like shape-up, wellness, toning or rocker bottom. They have unstable, rounded soles. Shoe manufacturers, most notably Skechers, MBT, and Reebok, claim these shoes tone and shape the calves, thighs and buttocks, promote healthy weight loss, reduce cellulite, improve circulation, and promote balance and good posture — all without having to go to the gym.
But like most things that sound too good to be true, these claims are bogus. The only independent studies to date about the effects of wearing these shoes conclude that they do not tone muscles and do not burn more calories than regular shoes.
Check this out:
http://myadvocatesblog.com/product-safety/toning-shoes-a-hoax-consumer-reports-agrees