Fitness

August 1, 2010

ACE Study on Toning Shoes

“Toning shoes” are the new big thing in the sneaker business. Sketchers, the manufacturer of Shape-ups, call them “…a great way to exercise while you go about your busy day!” and profess that “…walking in Shape-ups can help burn more calories, tone muscles and more.” Sounds like a great concept, right? Reebok (Easy Tone), New Balance (TrueBalance) , and other sneaker companies have jumped into the market with similar products that claim to help you get into shape without ever setting foot in a gym.

I was recently provided with a pair of toning sneakers to test out. On the surface, the theory behind toning shoes seems reasonable. The shoes are designed with a curved sole. This creates somewhat of an unstable environment, which should theoretically require users to increase muscle activation to facilitate balance. Question is, do these sneakers really live up to the hype? Sadly, the answer is not much, if at all.

While toning shoes do provide a measure of instability during walking, the overall effect is very slight–certainly not enough to have a meaningful impact on muscle development, posture, balance, and other fitness parameters. Other than those who are rehabbing a lower ankle sprain or are very unfit, I can’t imagine they would provide any additional fitness benefits at all. A recent study conducted by the American Council on Exercise (ACE) backs up this view. The study compared the exercise responses and muscle activation between walking in traditional athletic shoes versus toning shoes. The results? Neither exercise response (as measured by ratings of perceived exertion, oxygen consumption, and caloric expenditure) nor muscle activation (as measured by EMG) showed significant differences between the two groups.

Moreover, given their unusual design, it is possible that toning shoes may alter normal gait patterns. This could potentially increase the possibility of injury to soft tissue structures, particularly in those who have existing joint problems in their lower extremities. Thus, someone rehabbing from a lower ankle sprain (seemingly a target consumer for the product), should think twice before purchasing a pair.

That said, injury associated with wearing toning shoes should be of little concern to otherwise healthy individuals. I actually found the shoes to be quite comfortable once you get used to them. The additional cushioning produces an airy feel, and absorbs ground reaction forces nicely. Thus, while they might not provide any additional fitness benefits, they can be considered a viable alternative to traditional sneakers if you’re simply looking for walking comfort.

Bottom line: Don’t expect to get fit simply by walking around in a pair of toning shoes. When something sounds to be too good to be true, it usually is. That’s the case here. If you want to shape up, you’re going to have to work out. There are no shortcuts.

Stay Fit!

Brad