Stable and Cushioned Toning Shoes
The balance chip/balance bone create a plate spring that provides enhanced cushioning for the shoe. With each step, it stores energy at the heel strike and provides a small energy return as you pivot forward onto the midfoot and forefoot to push off. This spring effect isn't distracting, but instead I felt like I was wearing a pair of shoes that "wanted to walk."
How They Work
Tenevis had research done by the University of Calgary that found the cushioning was 127.5% of their control shoes and that they reduced the load on ankles, hips and knee joints by 30% to 40% One counter to this is that the shoes are fairly heavy, which will add to strains of walking vs. a lighter shoe. That said, they don't feel heavy on, perhaps because of the shock absorption and spring action.
The research also found less activation of leg muscles during the beginning of a stride, which is usually the opposite of what other toning shoes claim. Many toning shoes tout exercising more muscles, while these tout decreasing muscle fatigue so you can walk longer and farther. My personal preference is to be able to walk farther with less fatigue.
The shoes are not flexible at all. Instead, they support the foot through the step with the heel spring compressing and the foot rolling over the pivot point at midfoot. This enforces a correct foot motion, but doesn't train the foot to do it all by itself as flexible and minimalist shoes do.
Wear Notes
I could not wear the shoes for very long because the toe box was not the right shape for my foot and ended up with bunion pain after a few minutes. This is not so much a flaw in the shoes as just a fact of life for those of us with bunions.
The separate wedge of the balance chip/balance bone was a cause for comment by my style-conscious husband. He did not approve of the appearance.
I know many people who wear Z-Coil shoes, which tout similar elements, and credit them with relief from leg fatigue and heel and foot pain. For those who find relief in this sort of shoe design, it's worth the small trade-off in style.
When I first wore the shoes, one heel was making a quacking noise with each step. But I took out the balance chip and reseated it and that cured the noise.
Bottom Line on Tenevis La Jolla
