Articles on all the new "toning" shoes?

[markelmarcel]

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I can't imagine how these toning shoes are beneficial... obviously, I know that they are not going to actually do any true toning- but what was the point behind the instability thing? It seems to me if someone is overweight and buys these shoes it's more likely they could twist their ankle/cause other foot strains than actually do any good. However, I'm kind of "out" on my opinion of people who are in decent shape wearing them... Only because I just bought a pair of Reebok easytone's (I didn't even realize I bought "toning shoes") I was trying on a bunch of sneakers, I liked the color combo and they felt SUPER comfortable, so I bought em, wore them on my 2 mile walk today and my feet feel great. I came home to put them in the box and finally saw that they were toning shoes. Now I'm worried if I wear them often that I could do more harm than good.

So, personal thoughts? Are there any articles out about this newest fad yet- toning and PT?

I did find a few things, interesting things... just looking for more info/discussion! 🙂

 

[Akiramay]

Ha ha, funny you mention this! I just wrote about it in my blog which I'll be updating soon. =) I talk about how just this week I had a patient complain of pain on the front of her shin (she's being seen for post-op knee surgery though). She was wearing the Sketcher's Shape Ups. I examined them and saw that the shoes place the foot into some plantar flexion. This is why you 'shape up', you're on your toes more and have to co-contract to balance and stabilize yourself. The patient was having pain in her tibialis anterior because since she is in plantar flexion, the dorsiflexors have to work harder to clear the toes during gait. She doesn't wear her shoes often since she walks barefoot in the house, so her muscles aren't used to the extra strain. Sooo...it seems like a good concept, but it can be detrimental for some people. It'd be interesting to see if there are any articles out there!

 

[Danae00]

I scoffed at the idea of all of these "toning" shoes and swore I would never buy them.

But when I was looking for some nice black runners for work/placement the only ones I could find in my size were the Reebok Reetones (or maybe they were easytones? can't remember). Now I don't know if they are doing any "toning" (I doubt it) , but they are by far the most comfortable shoes I've ever owned. I'm on my feet 8+ hours a day working with patients, heavy lifting, etc and my feet never ever bother me. My feet feel like they are walking on pillows yet I still feel like I have good support and never feel unsteady. Go figure! I might even buy another pair in white.

So no scientific evidence for or against them. But I give that one brand a 👍 for sheer comfort!

ETA: Also have no problems with my legs, back, etc. The entire kinetic chain so far is doing good with these shoes.

 

[hefe]

Most all look hideous to begin with anyway (especially the see-saw Sketchers and those basketball jumping ones with those plastic lilypads on the bottom). I would never even give them a second look for that reason alone. Actually Sketchers in general tend to look ugly, but that's a different story... Reeboks tend to look more normal.

Americans love gimmicks so I'm not surprised these have been sold and marketed. I highly doubt their ability to be efficacious.

Edit: Probably, a discussion of these on the pod forum?

 

[CJonesrun]

My mom got me a pair of toning Crocs for Christmas, because I mentioned once that I wear Crocs after a run or bike session (I got a free pair at a race). I haven't tried the sneakers, but perhaps people find that they "work" because they are more inclined to exercise since making the purchase? I can say that the air-filled pillows are rather cushy and I love sliding the shoes on once out of my running or cycling shoes; I think that the Reebok shoes also work on the air pod idea so I can see how the extra cushion would make them very comfy.

I wouldn't suggest them for anyone with impaired movement, imbalance or weakness. The Crocs are quite wobbly. But for a fit person with no issues, if they don't hurt or cause problems, why not?

 

[rcheeley]

... you're on your toes more and have to co-contract to balance and stabilize yourself.

So if someone is primarily in plantarflexion while walking in these shoes, what other foot wear does that sound like? ....

To a mild extent, heels.

If you watch a woman stand, or walk, in a set of high heels, what else does that cause up the kinetic chain? ....

Increased knee/hip flexion, ever so slight, probably less than 5 degrees.

I would expect people who wear these shoes all the time and have significant quad weakness will eventually present w/ anterior knee pain of some kind, whether its PFP or patellar tendonitis. I question just about everyone I see wearing them, and I've had a few mention the onset of knee pain since the start of wearing these shoes.

Time will tell...

 

[markelmarcel]

I would expect people who wear these shoes all the time and have significant quad weakness will eventually present w/ anterior knee pain of some kind, whether its PFP or patellar tendonitis. I question just about everyone I see wearing them, and I've had a few mention the onset of knee pain since the start of wearing these shoes.

Time will tell...

I wear them for about 30-40 minutes... However long it takes me to walk about 2 miles or so on my lunch break. I throw them on, take my walk, come back and take 'em off. 😛

You mention people with quad weakness; I am young and fit... do you forsee issues with generally fit people using these shoes?

People say about feeling unbalanced and it "taking a couple of days to get used to walking in them"-- I don't feel that at all when I put them on... They feel like normal sneakers, with more comfort!

I was hoping that there would be some studies out... but I haven't found too much via google search.