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.

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!

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.

New Balance Toning Shoes

Have you seen the “new” New Balance True Balance Shoes?  They look great! In fact, they are the best looking toning shoes on the market these days.  They do not have the bulky look which is characteristic of most toning shoes released to date and they look just like regular trainers but of course, with an added edge. Gone are the days of ridicule and fear of being spotted in toning shoes, with these they look great in their own right and no one will know that your butt is working overtime.  

New Balance has managed to change the look, how do the shoes actually tone the lower body? Well, credit goes to the unique spring system that activates muscles when walking. You cannot even feel it because of the soft midsole which cushions and supports the feet so well, yet is working away with every step. The shoes have synthetic suede and mesh uppers which are lightweight with great breathability and the support is excellent in spite of the soft feel underfoot. 

One thing is for sure; your feet will love it inside the shoes. So if you add all these up, you have comfort and style with a system that enhances muscle toning and calorie burning while walking! You won’t even notice the pounds that you are losing with every step that you take in them.  In fact, they are so comfortable that you won’t notice the extra burn that your muscles are getting, and in addition to toning, the shoes will help you burn up to 10% more calories!.

With New Balance True Balance Shoes, you can look great, feel great and be great!  Watch out because you will be in for a very comfortable ride, you might even surprise yourself!  Your feet will actually know feel what heaven feels like, and wit these cool True Balance toning shoes your money is exceptionally well spent. However, don’t just take my word for it, get yourself a pair and see for yourself!