FitFlops were the brainchild of Marcia Kilgore, who couldn’t find time to visit the gym as often as she would have liked. Rather than doing what most of us would have done and accepting the situation, she worked together with London South Bank University in the UK to develop FitFlops.
Originally they were a small range of sandals – but when they took off it became obvious that there was plenty of demand for different styles. Clogs, slippers, boots and, fairly recently, sneakers were introduced.
FitFlops have always been just a little bit different from the other toning shoes available on the market. They are generally a little cheaper than the other brands available. More importantly, they look really good and come in a range of bright colors.
The Happy Gogh clogs are a good example of just how different FitFlops are when compared to other toning shoes available. It’s not just that they don’t look like running or walking shoes – they do make a bit of a statement don’t they?
If bright colors are your thing, then you can choose from Poppy Red (as shown), Splash (blue), Very Plum and Cherry Berry. If you prefer to remain a little more low key, then there is also a black option available.
It’s also worth noting that, whilst the sole is a little thicker than standard flip flops or shoes, it is noticeably less “chunky” than either the Skechers Shape Ups or the MBT style of shoes. The sneakers in particular have a cleverly disguised sole – they look pretty much like standard sneakers.
FitFlops also have a (growing) range of winter boots available. These feature the same toning sole as the sandals, but a rugged grip is incorporated. Ideal for when conditions underfoot are wet, slippery or icy.
There are a lot of claims made for toning shoes in general and FitFlops have conducted their own trials at both LSBU and also Salford University in the UK. Needless to say, there are some who doubt the claims and question the results of the studies. That’s pretty normal – if you ask a hundred different scientists the same question then you would probably get a hundred different answers.
However, it’s probably worth noting that FitFlops have received the American Podiatric Medical Association’s seal of acceptance. That should be taken as an indication that FitFlops are beneficial to the health of your feet – it is not necessarily an endorsement of the toning benefits. Nevertheless, it’s good to know that there are at least some independently verified benefits to be had as a result of wearing FitFlops.
