Toning shoes are the latest trend in fitness fashion. They are being sold with claims that wearers can lose weight, firm up and shape their muscles just by walking in the shoes. So is it true?

Manufacture claims include:
- weight loss
- cellulite reduction
- stronger back
- better circulation
Some brands even claim their shoes can:
- relieve back pain
- relieve knee pain
- relieve Achilles tendon pain
A shoe that burns calories
The designs vary, but most of the shoes have a curved bottom that creates instability. The hope is that by forcing muscles to compensate for the shoe’s instability, you will burn more calories and improve muscle tone while you walk.
How it all started
Before the toning trend, rocker bottom shoes were prescribed by orthopedists and podiatrists to patients with arthritic ankles or feet. But the change in step and stride wasn’t intended to improve muscle tone—it was intended to minimize stress on the bones in the wearer’s feet.
Can they really work?
Toning shoes may have some benefits, but so far there have not been any legitimate, independent studies proving any benefit over traditional sneakers. None of the studies identified while researching this article proved any claim of weight loss, increased aerobic conditioning or improved muscle tone.
One study showed that the shoes caused increased muscle activity; and the author simply concluded that would lead to weight loss, which is not necessarily the case.
Another report suggested that the shoe’s instability led to extra energy being spent by the wearer to maintain balance. But instability could lead to a fall and serious injury, especially for the obese, elderly or anyone with balance problems.
Finally, there were no long-term studies to show how the shoes performed over time.
One possible benefit
Perhaps counter intuitive, instability while walking may prove to be beneficial for athletes at risk for ankle injuries. Building the ankle muscles and making them stronger could prevent future ankle injuries. Of course, toning shoes won’t likely replace physical therapy, but they could be a beneficial addition.
The end result
While tempting to believe, substituting a healthy, moderate exercise regimen that targets all muscles with a pair of walking shoes and expecting the same outcome is a bit far-fetched.
Ultimately, the toning shoe may end up as an adjunct therapy for patients with ankle injuries, or it may end up another gimmick that attempts to capitalize on America’s obesity issues and desire to lose weight without expending too much effort.
Benjamin Busfield M.D. specializes in the care of athletes and sports-related injuries. He is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon affiliated with Sutter Delta Medical Center.
[Image Credit: weglet]
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