“Toning shoes” were a huge hit last year, with estimates of nearly 10million pairs sold. One of the recent “fads” in the shoegear industry, these shoes have been portrayed as another “quick fix” to obtain the perfect body.
Research from the American Council on Exercise compared people walking in traditional athletic shoes and special toning shoes. The study found that muscle activation in response to exercise were essentially the same for both the regular and toning shoes. SO….shoes alone will not tone your body. The way to tone your body is EXERCISE!!
Recent allegations have resulted in Reebok refunding consumers who purchased the toning shoes under the impression they would make them look like the “fit” models on Reebok commercials. Shame on the consumers for believing this quick fix and how dare Reebok put fit models in their commercials!
Other than modeling the toning shoes off of the “balance ball” theory for exercise, these shoes may actually create instability at the ankle joint due to muscles being required to fire more than usual to maintain stability. The muscles involved are small and will not likely increase the person’s metabolism, or fat burning potential. In the wrong person, these shoes may actually increase likelihood of ankle sprains, and/or joint and tendon inflammation.
Although they may have some effect on the stabilizing muscles of the upper leg and core, it is very minimal. Our very own, Dr. Cernak, used a pair of toning shoes for a week and stated “I was lucky I didn’t roll my ankle in the clinic!”
In conclusion, BEWARE of quick fix weight loss advertisements. As always, the key to any long term weight loss program is healthy eating habits and regular exercise.
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