Over the course of the last couple of years, toning shoes have grown hugely in popularity. In 2008, sales of toning shoes amounted to just $ 17 million. Sales for 2010 are estimated to be somewhere between $ 1 billion and $ 1.5 billion. At the moment, there are 6 pairs of toning shoes in the top ten best selling fitness shoe list – 4 Skechers Shape Ups and 2 Reebok Easy Tones.
It’s no big surprise. The prospect of toning your legs and trimming your butt simply by pulling on a different pair of shoes is an extremely attractive one. However, recent events may be giving some prospective buyers pause for thought, and possibly even making them wonder if it’s safe to wear toning shoes.
A 48 year old Ohio waitress is suing Skechers, claiming that use of their their Shape Up Shoes caused her injury. It’s far from an open and shut case – it appears as if prolonged use was involved. Even so, there has been a lot of bad press 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 very simple: As with any other item of exercise equipment, toning shoes should be used in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Improper use, or over use could lead to injury – as is the case with virtually any form of physical exercise. Regardless of whether or not you wear toning shoes, running or jogging to excess, particularly on hard, unyielding surfaces, can result in strains, sprains and repetitive 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 will be a positive benefit for you.
Choose the correct type of toning shoe. There are numerous different brands and styles. Most of these are designed for walking – but some toning shoes for jogging or running are now available. Choose the type most suited to your intended form of use. If you choose toning shoes which are designed for walking, then don’t wear them for jogging, running or playing sports in.
The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) seal of acceptance is a good sign. There are a variety 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”.
Once you have carefully chosen the right toning shoes for you, take a little time to break them in and get used to walking in them. Wear them for short periods only until you become accustomed to them. Ensure that they are a good fit and, even if they feel slightly strange at first, they should not modify your walking gait to the point where you feel unstable. Take time to study the manufacturer’s instructions and follow them closely.
As mentioned earlier, walking is a low impact, low injury risk mode of exercise, you should still stretch prior to your walking workout. Take it easy at first and have a cool 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 balance problems then toning shoes may not be a good option 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 make the mistake of thinking that toning shoes are some kind of magic pill – consider them to be a useful addition which can enhance the effectiveness of your exercise routine. Apply a little common sense and you’ll be able to get into better shape as well as gaining a wide variety of other significant health benefits as well.