Studio 5 Contributor Melanie Douglass R.D., NASM, decided to find out…and shares her findings.
We all walk on and off throughout the day. And a walking workout is easy, accessible, cheap and practical – most days of the week. So, if we spend extra money on a running shoe that we wear 60 minutes a day, maybe we should consider putting a little extra money into a walking shoe, that can be worn 8+ hours a day? Maybe not.
Here’s a review on the latest toning shoes in the market today:
Note: All of these shoes are for walking only, not for other types of workouts.
Shoes are rated on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being “good” and one being “poor”.
Reebok Easy Tone
from www.rebook.com:
“O” Yeah! EasyTone – the must-have shoe of the year. An Oprah magazine “O List” pick! Get a better butt and better legs with every step. With EasyTone Reeinspire, you can get firmer thanks to our patented sole technology, which emulates walking on sand.”
The Claims:
– EasyTone technology improves muscle tone in the hamstrings, calves and glutes up to 28%.
– Balance ball inspired technology with moving air creates micro-instability; toning and strengthening key leg muscles with every step.
– Reebok has wear-tested EasyTone with hundreds of people over the past two years resulting in more than 20,000 hours of data. Feedback from this research shows that users notice the difference immediately and genuinely feel that the shoes work and that their muscles are working harder.
Rate and Reveal:
Functionality: 5
Comfort: 5
Price: $100.00
Overall:
This shoe has a completely different feel – and technology – than the Skechers version. The balance ball feels like it recruits more calf and lower leg muscle (for me personally), than the rolling in sand feel of other products. So if you are looking for shapely calves, I’d recommend the Reebok shoe. Keep in mind, any extra toning you get from a shoe like this is gradual, as these products promote small, daily changes with repeated use in active walking. They are more likely to sculpt fabulous legs and promote weight loss with a regular sweat-inducing cardio walking workout. When it comes to fashion, Reebok has the sassiest, sleekest look! I love the Reebok color options and shoe design.
http://www.reebok.com/US/product?modelId=30038708&articleId=J17421
Skechers Shape-ups
The Claims:
– Stimulates walking on soft sand to help firm calf, thigh and glute muscles.
– Improves posture and reduces joint stress.
– Relieves tension and muscle fatigue.
– Promotes weight loss.
– Study showed: 2.78 pound weight loss over a .3 pound weight loss for the control group, along with improvement lower back strength and glutei strength.
Rate and Reveal:
Functionality: 5
Comfort: 4
Price: ~ $100.00
Overall:
I was really surprised by this shoe! I don’t love the look, so I’ve never given them enough credit. But I have to admit, of all the shoes I tested, this one felt the most functional for total body integration (I feel this more from head to toe than other versions). This shoe has the largest, most complete range of motion that engaged more muscles in my lower body. I think studies show positive results, because in general, just walking or any extra activity we get is beneficial. The shoes by themselves don’t lead to weight loss, it still takes good old fashioned effort… and lots of sweat! I gave comfort a 4 because the sole is so soft it made the arches of my feet tired, more than anything else.
New Balance Rock&Tone
The Claims:
– Increases muscle activation by 27%.
– Increases calorie burn by up to 8%.
– Tone calfs to glutes to core.
– Slim down.
Rate and Reveal:
Functionality: 3
Comfort: 3
Price: $85.00
Overall:
This shoe doesn’t feel as functional because the heel is soft and the sole feels flat. It feels like I start to roll through the heel and then slam my foot on the floor. It’s still a comfortable shoe and anything that helps you walk and move more is good! Walking with this shoe didn’t make my legs sore or make my workout feel more challenging; It just made my workout feel different. When it comes to exercise, anything that increases your comfort to help you increase frequency and duration is a good thing. I do believe these shoes can do that for some people.
Skechers Tone-ups
The Claims:
– Features a gradual density midsole that, with repeated wearing, will stimulate underused calf, thigh and gluteus muscles.
– Improves posture, strengthens calf and thigh muscles, firms buttocks, increases general fitness and weight loss (without an additional time commitment!)
– Gives your body a complete cardiovascular, strength and endurance workout.
Rate and Reveal:
Functionality: 3
Comfort: 5
Price: $45.00
Overall:
An ultra-comfortable flip flop like this, for $45 bucks, won’t be wasted. You’ll wear them and maybe get some more toning for your legs… but the soles aren’t dramatic enough to really boost calorie burn. The shoes are not a replacement for a gym membership by any means.
If you need more info, or have other questions for Melanie, visit the Studio 5 Ask the Expert Page.
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