Friday 22 July 2011

Wear New Balance Toning Shoes to Tone the Lower Body

New Balance has long been associated with athletics and running, and produces some of the best sneakers and trainers for athletes and amateurs alike. The highly comfortable designs and technological advances in the shoes make walking and running much more pleasurable with New Balance sneakers on your feet.


Last year, however the footwear company has started to produce a range of toning shoes, which help to tone the lower body, ease the stresses and the strains on the joints, whilst helping you to lose weight faster. The shoes boost muscle activation in the lower body by up to 28%, and increase calorie burning by up to 10%, and achieve this with a low profile design closer to their running shoes than most of the thick soled rocker bottom toning shoes.

The design is rapidly making New Balance toning shoes some of the most popular on the market. With so many thick soled toning shoes on the market, men and women have been crying out for a low profile design which looks just like standard running sneakers. The latest New Balance styles offer just that, and do not call attention to the fact you are toning your nether regions. The shoes have stylish designs just like NB running shoes, with the toning technology well hidden away in the midsole of the shoes.

The Rock N Tone was the first release, and its stylish design proved an instant hit. It sculpts and tones the lower body getting up to 27% more muscle activation in the quads, hamstrings, calves and buttocks, whilst increasing oxygen consumption by up to 8%. Oxygen consumption is a good measure of calorie burning, making these shoes a great choice for dieters to speed up weight loss.

The latest release however offer even greater muscle toning and weight loss than the Rock & Tone, with what has to be one of the best toning shoes designs released by any manufacturer. The shoes feature the latest toning technology to get the extra burn, whilst looking like a cool, fashionable and modern running trainer. Called New Balance True Balance, the shoes really get the lower body working hard, and boost the cardiovascular value of walking, getting more calories burned per hour to really get you into great shape in the minimum time frame.

The shoes feature a new spring system to introduce instabilities, whilst providing a highly cushioned ride to ease the strain on the joints. New Balance True Balance improve on the impressive stats of the rock & tone, and get up to 28% more muscle activity and up to 10% more calorie burning.

The Rock & Tone is released in a flip-flop model for summer coolness and comfort, and the whole range is famed for its highly comfortable seamless fit. New Balance Toning shoes may have been a late addition to the growing toning shoe range; however it was certainly worth the wait with some of the best designs released to date, and some of the most comfortable shoes of any of the toning shoes manufacturers. If you want to get great lower body tone, lose weight and have a highly comfortable walk, you really can’t beat New Balance toning shoes.

Tuesday 28 June 2011

Do Toning Shoes Actually Work?

There is an ongoing debate about toning shoes and whether they actually work. Opinion is divided; however the weight of scientific data suggests that toning shoes do actually have a positive effect on the body, and increase toning whilst promoting weight loss. Medium to long term studies highlight the benefits which can be gained from wearing the shoes as a lifestyle and exercise choice. Where the shoes fail is on the short term studies, such as those completed by the American Council on Exercise. They found no benefits from their tests conducted over 15 minutes; however in the case studies conducted on Skechers Shape Ups over 6 weeks in one study, and 8 months in a second, the longer length clearly demonstrated that over the longer term the effects of the shoes can be felt.

MBT Shoes have been on sale since 1996, and they are one of the most highly regarded on the market. The design of the shoes was not developed for toning, but rather for the health benefits which the rocker sole design offers. Their shoes, and the rocker sole design, have been tested over many years, and have been widely reported to be of great benefit to those suffering from painful foot, knee and joint conditions.

New Balance toning shoes, despite joining the toning shoe market a little more recently, offers a similar design, although more understated than both Skechers and MBT. The rocker sole has the same benefits, however New Balance studies report an 8% increase in weight loss, calculated from an 8% increase in oxygen consumption when exercising in the shoes. This is more dubious, and is not backed up with independent research so you have to take the manufacturers word for it, and let’s be honest, they do have a vested interest in their own shoes working. I’m not saying their tests are no good, but one can understand why some people are skeptical.


Featuring a different design to the rocker sole, Reebok have developed instability pods in the shoes, which add instability to the walking gait, activating the muscles in the legs and buttocks increasing toning by up to 28% in the gluteus, and 11% in the calves and hamstrings. Their studies have demonstrated that the balance pods activate muscles for longer and increase the range of muscles utilized when waling in the shoes, with variations on the same theme in their Traintone and Runtone series for the gym, and for running and jogging. Again there is no independent evidence, but wearers do report that the shoes do have an effect.

FitFlop sandals are widely credited with starting off the toning craze, when they released their toning sandals in 2007. They may not have been the first toning shoes on the market, but they certainly got the public interest going. The chic and stylish sandals are a fashionable choice in their own right, with the added benefits of extra toning whilst you walk. The shoes were developed initially as a way of trying to shift cellulite and to help reduce weight, and to turn dead time into a toning session. Developed with the help of the London Southbank University, the shoes are the product of biomechanical studies and have been clearly demonstrated to improve posture, increase muscle activity, reduce foot pressure concentration and comfort. The benefits of the shoes have been independently corroborated by Salford University and they have, with the possible exception of MBT, the greatest positive research and customer feedback of any toning shoes or sandals. It’s probably why they are still selling so well, whilst interest in many other brands has waned. FitFlop sandals ease joint pain and tone the lower body up to 30% more than standard shoes, with one test subject increasing muscle activation in the gluteus by 51%.

Whilst the studies continue and add some science to the debate, what really counts is how the shoes perform on the feet of the millions of men and women who have switched over to toning shoes. The praise for the shoes is considerable, with glowing recommendations from exercisers and sufferers of painful joints and few would argue at the comfort they offer.

Whilst some debate continues over the actual percentages of toning offered by each shoe, few would argue their use as a healthy living choice and all agree that getting men and women out of the house and walking for fitness has immeasurable benefits for long term health. Of course the major downside of the shoes is that they add instability to the walking gait, and as such can increase the chance of injury for anyone with balance issues. If you are sure on your feet however, they appear to be a great choice with a long list of wellness benefits.

Monday 7 February 2011

Get Toned Fast with the Skechers Shape Ups SRT Radius Trainer

Thanks to a better understanding of the body's physiology, as well as advances in technology, there are now shape shoes that are designed to work with the way the body wants to orient and move itself. The shoes recreate a totally natural way of movement to get about ones environment naturally, just as nature intended. However where the technology improves on evolution is by providing a great deal more comfort and shock absorption, making moving at speed on hard urban surfaces just as beneficial as barefoot walking in soft sand.

Thanks to new technology, shape shoes are now designed with advanced features which allow them to mimic certain real world conditions and give the maximum benefits to your workout. The Skechers Shape Ups SRT (standing for Skechers Radius Trainer) is one such Shape Shoe, and will help you to firm up and tone with every step. This is one of the great new toning shoes to come on the market, with Skechers leading the way in shape shoes technology. In contrast to most toning shoes on the market, which are only suitable for walking, the Skechers Radius Trainer is designed for a life more active.

With Skechers Shape Ups SRT, you can get more out of each and every workout, and indeed, every step you take. They are designed to put you in proper posture and simulate the uneven environment that humans have, evolutionarily, traversed through. This means that you'll have a better posture, and these cute trainers will help work your butt and thighs with each and every step. Now tell me, what could be better than that?

And these hot trainers come in a variety of colors and styles so you'll be able to find a pair that suit pretty much any tastes. Now when you go jogging, walking, or simply walk around town to run errands and get about, you are engaging and tightening muscles that are rarely worked without targeted training. Wearing these shoes mean that more muscles are engaged and tightened with each step, and they stay engaged longer, leading to more calorie burn and building of lean muscle.

Choosing the Skechers Shape Ups SRT is a great way to amp up your workout and the results you see without even trying, but if you really want to max out your workout then these are the shoes you should buy for your training sessions. However it’s not all about toning, as the Skechers Radius Trainer makes working out a lot easier on the joints. With all of the cushioning underfoot, the shockwaves are properly absorbed and the ankles, knees, hips and back get some respite, making exercise a lot easier on the body. Without so many aches and pains you can train for longer, with every step, thrust and lunge counting for more.

Kim Kardashian in her Skechers Shape Ups SRT Radius Trainers

Sunday 6 February 2011

You Cant Beat New Balance Toning Shoes

Toning shoes are becoming a universal desire, and are the shoes that everyone should have in their shoe rack. New Balance toning shoes have to be some of the best though. They are not conventional exercising or jogging sneakers, and they look nothing like toning shoes, yet they have been designed to get the muscles working harder with each step, whilst increasing the rate of calories burned. Great looking, highly comfortable shoes which also help you to get in shape. What more could anyone want from a pair of shoes?

The shoes have been specially designed to improve your comfort level, and will help you to increase your fitness levels, although not without a bit of extra effort on your part. You still need t get out and walk in them to get the effect. The great thing is that the footwear will help you to tone your muscles throughout the lower body, and increase activity in you abs, quadriceps, calves and hamstrings, although the bulk of the extra activation is in the buttocks – an area most men and women would agree could do with a little extra firming, shaping and toning. Their excellent cushioning in the soles makes you feel like you are walking barefoot on pillows, and you can hardly notice the instabilities which are being created to get your muscles working overtime.

Unlike many other exercise shoes, New Balance toning shoes are smartly designed. Their stylish look and unique combination of colors make them highly attractive. They look like normal sneakers but function like any other toning shoes, and can increase muscle activation in the lower body by up to 27%. The shoes use a modified rocker sole design which is more comfortable than most of the other shaping shoes on the market, and the lower profile design makes then easier to wear without attracting too much attention.

New Balance toning shoes feature the Rock & Tone and True Balance ranges, and even includes toning sandals for summer. The Flip-Flop style is a far cry from most flimsy summer sandals. In spite of being light weight, the sandals are strong and shock absorbent, and feel secure on the feet. Their hard wearing EVA rubber sole will ensure a good long lifespan, and maintain good traction.

If you are considering buying a pair of toning shoes, I think that New Balance True Balance should be right at the top of the list. If you only want to walk, then I don’t think there are any better shoes on the market.

Shape Up With Skechers Shape Ups

Walking is a great way to burn fat and keeps oneself healthy. A fifteen minute walk a day goes a long way to improving not only fitness, but your long term health too. For anyone who does not have the time to hit the gym, walking is a good alternative and is far easier to fit into a busy schedule. Park a few blocks from your office and power walk the last 800 yards. Leave the car at home one day and walk to work, or get out in your lunch break and walk around the block. Every bit counts, and gets the muscles working harder and the pulse racing a little, and will get you looking better and feeling better in next to no time.

Since people now are getting health conscious, they rely on walking, being the easiest way to keep them toned and fit. I am pretty sure this is why a lot of toning shoes are being made. Because walking is so good for the health and such a popular way of exercising, if it can be made any more beneficial then so much the better.

Among the leading toning shoes manufacturers is Skechers, with their Skechers Shape Ups range. Being someone who grew up using Skechers shoes, and someone who has always believed in their product, I was one of the first to buy my new shoes online as soon as I learned about the new shoes they were making.
I bought myself a Skechers Shape Ups Mary-Jane style to start with, although I have since bought loads more. At first, wearing them feels awkward, and it takes a while to get used to the rocker sole. They have an elevated sole which actually made me feel uncomfortable at first, however once I got used it – and it didn’t take long – I found them to be incredibly comfortable. With the latest pairs I have bought, such as the Shape Ups Radius Trainer, they were comfortable straight away. I don’t know if this is due to the new designs they have used, and the new technology, or just because I am more used to walking in this type of shoe now.

The first few times I wore the shoes I noticed my calves felt rigid afterwards, and so I thought maybe the Shape Ups were actually working. I had doubts at first, and that initial burn in my calves has gone, but I really do feel the benefits after exercise, and wouldn’t go back to normal sneakers again. How good they are and how much is down to me wanting to exercise more I don’t know, but I am very happy that I am doing everything I can to keep my body fit!

I highly recommend this range of shoes to anyone who wants to start a new healthier lifestyle by walking or going to the gym as I have done in my Shape Ups SRT Kinetix Response trainers, as well as to anyone looking to get a bit more from walking.

The Shape Ups Kinetix Response toning shoes is a great shoe for all round use, and will be safe on the treadmill, and general purpose toning.  Kim Kardashian would certainly approve!

Reebok Easytone Shoes Make Working Out Easy, Just Not on Your Muscles!

There are certain areas which we want to improve on physically. There are some who want to concentrate on their upper torso, some want to improve their abs, and then there are the legs and butt. For those who want to concentrate on the latter, I suggest Reebok Easytone shoes.

They are all the rage now because of their muscle activating balance pods in the soles of the shoes. These pods are the patented sole technology that enables one to get firmer butt and nice looking legs much more quickly, with every step counting towards a better body, in a fraction of the time! They work because the pods actually force the leg muscles to work harder, without any extra perceived effort. You can walk, run and even wear them as work shoes, giving your butt and legs a toning session whenever you walk. You will notice the extra bounce in your step when you walk, and they make exercise fun, and much more rewarding.


The shoes feature balance pods in the heel, the forefoot and the toe, which alter the balance when walking, with the muscles working harder and for longer to correct the imbalance. With the muscles working harder, the legs and butt get toned faster, and you get the maximum bang for your buck.

You will soon notice that the shoes really work because there is a feeling of tightness in the butt area and the hamstrings after just wearing them for a little while. There is a reason why they are called Easytone after all! In fact, you will not find any other shoes which make working out as easy as these. Whilst many women are skeptical at first, after giving the shoes a chance they soon become converts, won over initially by the comfort, and how they work the butt and legs. Stylish, comfortable and sure to get you toned in next to no time, if you want to improve the shape of your lower body, and improve on your style too, these are the Shape Shoes you need on your feet!

Friday 28 January 2011

Do Toning Shoes actually work?


 Want a more effective way of working out? Believe in the power of motivation? Even after an ACE study debunking the claims of toning shoes, these specially made exercising shoes are still largely accepted as being effective at getting the body working harder when walking. Toning shoes such as the Reebok Easytone, Skechers Shape-ups or MBT shoes (with their Masai Barefoot Technology) claim to provide a better way of working out, and will help to burn more calories and activate more muscles when walking, getting more fibers activated which would otherwise be doing very little.

 What is it in these shoes that make all the difference? 

Toning shoes are made to work unused and underused muscles in the legs and bottom, and improve the range of movement, especially in the feet where most people tend not to roll effectively from heel to toe. When you workout in an ordinary pair of shoes, you use the same muscles as you do throughout the day. But when you start using toning shoes like Skechers Shape-ups, with their dual density midsoles and rocker bottom or Reebok EasyTone shoes which features micro-instability pods, you get much more muscle involvement, as well as improved comfort which can be felt not only in your feet but throughout your body. 

 Unfortunately though, wearing toning shoes will not turn you into a svelte goddess immediately, as they take time for their effects to be felt. It also takes a while to get used to a new way of walking and you will really feel the extra effort in your hamstrings and glutes at the end of the day. Toning shoes are also known to improve posture by getting the weight back on the heels, helping you to stand up straighter, they can improve the blood circulation, and greatly reduce the shock waves acting on the knees.  

You may not get a Reebok Easytone bottom overnight, but each step you take will get you closer to the body beautiful, and you really cannot argue with the comfort they offer.