Get Fit Tip: Do Toning Shoes Really Work?

Toning Shoes

Posted by The Health Journal on July 28, 2010

Toning shoes seem to be the latest fitness craze, and they come with a tempting promise from manufacturers—walk in them and you’ll get in shape. But can it truly be that easy?

Toning shoes are designed to force the body to work harder than it would in traditional shoes. They’re designed with an unstable sole that forces the wearer to activate muscles to gain balance and proper positioning with each step.

Manufacturers claim that the extra muscle activation translates to a greater calorie burn and, therefore, weight loss. Other benefits promised include improved posture, decrease in musculoskeletal pain, increased muscle tone in the legs and core muscles and better circulation.
Toning shoes, with the rather unnatural hump in the soles, look radically different from other shoes, and my first thought when I decided to try a pair was, ‘How is it possible to even walk in these?’ But, despite my initial cynicism about the design and style of the toning shoes, they did make me feel that I was working the backs of my legs more than I do in regular athletic shoes, and they did help alleviate some foot and back pain.

Don’t buy into the idea that you can lose weight without effort—not without making dietary
changes, too. But wearing toning shoes does simulate an additional workout on your legs and calves that can benefit anyone.