Toning shoes have become incredibly popular over the last couple of years or so. In 2008, just $ 17 million worth of toning shoes were sold. 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 – 4 Skechers Shape Ups and 2 Reebok Easy Tones.
It’s hardly surprising. 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 possibly even making them wonder if wearing toning shoes is safe.
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 seems that extended use was involved. Nevertheless, there has been a lot of publicity and there is even a special website by injury lawyers ready to “assist” anyone who wants to raise a claim against certain shoe companies.
The facts of the matter are very simple: 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, whether you wear toning shoes or not, jogging or running to excess, especially on hard surfaces, can lead to repetitive types of strains and injuries.
However, unless you have a pre-existing medical condition, if you follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and if you don’t overdo things or attempt something that your own body is incapable of achieving, then toning shoes, combined with walking, represent a low impact, low injury risk way to exercise and get in shape. Take some sensible precautions, do a little homework 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 a variety of different styles and brands. Most of these are intended for walking, although there are some toning shoes which may be used for running or jogging available now. Choose the type most suited to your intended form 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 variety of different toning shoes which have been evaluated by the APMA – Reebok EasyTones and FitFlops for example – and which have received the APMA seal of acceptance to indicate that they are “foot friendly”.
You can view a full list of APMA approved toning footwear here …
When you’ve chosen the right pair of toning shoes, remember to break them in so that your body can get used to 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.
Although walking is, as previously mentioned, a low impact, low injury risk form of exercise, you should still stretch before your walking workout. Take it easy at first and have a cool down period at the end.
Finally, if you suffer from any medical conditions (and even if you don’t), it’s always a good idea to seek medical advice before you embark upon any new exercise routine. 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 balance problems then toning shoes may not be a good option for you.
However, for the vast majority of people, toning shoes, combined with a low impact walking exercise regime, will be something which is not only safe, but very beneficial. Don’t think of toning shoes as a magic pill – but rather a useful addition or enhancement to your exercise program. Apply a little common sense and you’ll be able to get into better shape as well as getting a whole host of other health benefits as well.