Shape-Ups & EasyTones Don't Work, Study Says (POLL)

Skechers Shape-Ups and Reebok EasyTones are truly crimes of fashion, and we were willing to give them a pass when we found out that the footwear could sculpt your legs and butt. However, according to a story recently aired on NPR, the shoes may have no health benefits at all.

Two recent studies from the American Council on Exercise concluded 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." ACE's Todd Galati found no difference between the special shoes and regular sneakers (other than their prices), noting, "These shoes are not a magic pill. It is the walking [encouraged by the shoes] that will make a difference in your life."

Skechers has cried foul, releasing three studies that say the special shoes do work, and President of Skechers Fitness Group Leonard Armato boasts that the brand has received "12,000 unsolicited positive reviews of Shape-Ups," according to NPR.

What do you think?

Quick Poll

Can Shape-Ups & EasyTones actually help you slim down?

YES! Due to their special designs...

Yes...but only because you'll be walking...

NO WAY!

Share your vote on Facebook so your friends can take this poll

Comments

[Toning Shoes]

01:08 PM on 08/12/2010

Please look at www.ToningShoeStudies.com for scientific studies on the effectiveness of toning shoes and rocker bottom shoes.

[JaWindham]

08:14 PM on 08/11/2010

They DO work. When you walk your foot sort of "rolls" from the heel to the toe, so walking is easier. They have extensive cushioning in them so each step puts less "jarring" on your knees. I bought a pair and I have noticed that because walking is easier and because it puts less stress on my knees and joints that I am walking more. Walking more is where you lose the weight, but it's also because of the design of the shoes that allows you to and makes you want to walk more. The only downside to these shoe is the cushion does push up on the foot so when you step the cushion is depressed, but as you move forward, the cushion pushing back up actually helps move you forward. Subsequently, if you have a job where you just stand primarily in one spot all day, the constant "up pressure" of the cushion can cause your feet to hurt. But the shoes are awesome. The thing about "studies" is, you tell me what results you want to achieve, and anyone with half a brain can set the study up so that those results are achieved.

[MoistvonLipwig]

12:37 PM on 08/12/2010

This technology was developed by a Swedish company that reversed engineered the running style of the Masai runners that have been running barefooted and dominating professional marathons for years. MBT for Masai Barefoot Technology has been around for several yrs and I've owned a pair for more than 3 yrs. The soles of the shoes show almost no wear, and I wear them at work everyday. Within days after starting to wear them, yrs of lower back pain dissappeared and my plantar fasciitis has not flared up.

I'm reasonably sure Sketchers is licensing the technology from them. I bought mine on line for about $180 but they were $350 at the high end shoe store where I first saw them. I will probably stick with the MBTs because they make dress shoes as well as excersize shoes, and are made of a harder material that last forever.

[paul909090]

06:55 PM on 08/11/2010

I have read a lot of positive comments about toning sneakers, but they are not for everyone. Appropriate footwear needs to be based on your lifestyle and common sense, and not on fads. www.shoesnews.org

[DeeDee1959]

05:04 PM on 08/11/2010

I had daily lower back pain and heard that they somehow helped with posture so I tried a pair. Within 2 days the back pain was gone and as long as I wear a pair for a few hours each day I have no back pain. After the experience with the first pair I was hooked and have since purchased 4 more in different styles and colors. I'm wearing a pair right now and love them. As for weight loss, I say portion control with walking works best.

[GraniteSkyline]

04:18 AM on 08/11/2010

The study is flawed because it seems to have taken a random bunch of people. They should redo it selecting people with long legs, short hamstrings, flat feet, and foot and leg pain.

My brother, father, and I have the shortest, tightest, hamstrings in the world. We all have to stretch by hanging off the edge of the bottom step of the stairs everyday. As a female, I might have it the worst because I have to compensate for every minute I spend in heels.

These shoes have been a Godsend for us!

None of us do the stair hang anymore. And I can wear heels anytime I want with no painful repercussions afterward. We can all walk or stand for hours without pain--we are all teachers, so we are on our feet most of the day.,My knees don't hurt, my calves are stretched, my posture is improved--these shoes are fantastic for us.

My mother and other siblings are of a different (non-flat-footed) build and have never had these problems and don't see any difference with the shoes.

If you have problems like us, you will definitely benefit from these types of shoe. I can't live without them! But for the average person they probably make no difference.

[Karama]

09:46 PM on 08/10/2010

Nice style! I must go look at/try them, not that I need another pair, just can't say 'no' to new footwear. Looks comfy!

[inthedesert]

08:02 PM on 08/10/2010

Does anyone remember the Earth Shoe?? It had a negative heel...it was lower than the rest of the shoe. I never did understand what stretching out your Achilles tendon was supposed to do for you but....everyone had them so I had to have also.....LOL.

[oldgraymare]

08:22 AM on 08/12/2010

I've had years of on again/off again problems with plantar fasciitis....and hate to wear sneakers with orthotics all the time. I've found some relatively cute styles in Earth Shoes (ballerina flats) and as long as I wear them most of the day, my feet don't hurt from the fasciitis. They work on more than your Achilles tendons.

[njborne]

04:17 PM on 08/10/2010

I have a pair developed by Sketcher, purchased on sale for $89.00. They helped me since I have flat feet and was spending a week in Orlando for vacation. This was the first vacation in a while that my legs or feet were not in constant pain due to walking day in and day out. I approve this message. :-)

[Jennifer Bertan Muroff]

12:19 PM on 08/10/2010

oops the link for smartsole exercise insoles is http://www.smartsole.com

[verticallychallenged]

12:28 PM on 08/10/2010

Are they really any different from the insoles (e.g., Dr. Scholls) I can find at the drugstore? They look rather similar.

[Jennifer Bertan Muroff]

12:18 PM on 08/10/2010

I have worn the Skechers shape ups and SmartSole exercise insoles and find that both have helped with toning. Neither gives you license to gorge on pizza and ice cream, but I found them to be helpful. I personally prefer the SmartSoles (http:///www.smartsole.com) as they can slip in any flat shoe or sneaker and are super comfortable.

[CristineN]

11:45 AM on 08/10/2010

I walk a 5K with my dog, feel great. But, when I walk the same 5K with my sketchers on, I feel a burn in my butt and legs, I feel like i just ran the 5K instead of walking. I can only go on my own experience but I love these shoes.

[Purduegrl07]

11:35 AM on 08/10/2010

I see how the Sketchers are a crime of fashion, but how are the Reeboks? I actually think they are really cute, especially the black ones.

[usamade]

10:30 AM on 08/10/2010

I have the Reebok Easytones. They make my left foot go numb.

[betito]

09:48 AM on 08/10/2010

Yeah and i think i can fly with my M J #23.

[dmsdzinr]

07:30 AM on 08/10/2010

Just another PLOY to charge OUTRAGEOUS prices for a SHOE with a GIMMICK!