MBT Toning Shoes
The last couple of years have seen an exponential growth in the popularity of toning shoes. Sales of toning shoes in 2008 were a mere $ 17 million. In 2010, sales are estimated to be somewhere between $ 1 billion and $ 1.5 billion. The top ten best sellers athletic shoe list includes 6 pairs of toning shoes – 2 Reebok Easy Tones and 4 Skechers Shape Ups.
It’s no big surprise. The prospect of getting a free lower body workout, toning your legs, trimming down your bottom, banishing cellulite and generally getting in better shape, just by wearing a different pair of shoes is a tantalising one. However, recent events may be giving some potential customers pause for thought, and could even make them wonder if it’s safe to wear toning shoes.
An Ohio woman is suing Skechers, claiming that wearing their Shape Up Shoes caused her injury. It’s far from a cut and dried case – it appears as if extended use was involved. Nevertheless, there has been a lot of publicity and there is even a special website which has been set up by injury lawyers ready to “assist” anyone who wishes to sue certain shoe companies.
The facts of the matter are clear: Toning shoes should be treated like any other item of fitness equipment and used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If they are used incorrectly, or if they are overused, then – as with any other form of exercise – injury is possible. For example, even without toning shoes, running, jogging or taking part in any sporting activity to excess, can result in sprains, strains and repetitive type injuries.
However, assuming that you do not suffer from a pre-existing medical condition, if you pay close attention to the manufacturer’s instructions and avoid attempting something that your body can’t achieve, then toning shoes, in combination with a walking exercise program, will provide you with a low injury risk, low impact method of exercising and getting into shape. Take some sensible precautions, do a little research and toning shoes will be not only safe to wear and use, but beneficial to you.
Choose the right kind of toning footwear. There are plenty of different styles and brands to choose from. Most of these are designed for walking – but some toning shoes for jogging or running are now available. Select the type most suitable for your intended mode of use. Do not use toning shoes intended for walking to run, jog or play sports in.
Look for the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) seal of acceptance. There are a range of different toning shoes which have been assessed by the APMA – Reebok EasyTones and FitFlops for example – and which have subsequently received the APMA seal of acceptance to indicate that they are “foot friendly”.
There are a number of different brands and styles of toning shoes that have received the APMA’s seal of acceptance. You can see a full list of APMA approved toning footwear here.
Once you’ve picked out the best toning shoes for you, take some time to break them in and to let your body become accustomed to walking in them. Wear them for short periods only until you become accustomed to them. Make sure that they are a good fit and, whilst they may feel a little odd at first, they shouldn’t alter your walking gait to the point where you feel unstable. Read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and follow them.
As previously mentioned, walking is a low injury risk, low impact mode of exercise, you should still stretch before your walking workout. Start off slowly and have a gentle, cooling down period at the end.
Finally, if you do have any long term medical problems, it’s always wise to speak to your doctor prior to commencing any new exercise regime. Although there are a variety of different brands and styles of toning shoes, most of them work on the introduction of a small element of imbalance into the walking process. If you have problems with your balance, then toning shoes might not be a good choice for you.
However, for the large majority of the population, toning shoes used as part of a low impact walking routine will be both safe and beneficial. Don’t think of toning shoes as a magic pill – but rather a useful addition or enhancement to your exercise program. Be sensible and you’ll be able to get into better shape as well as gaining a wide variety of other health benefits as well.