The fastest growing segment in the footwear market at the moment is the toning shoe sector. They promise to help you lose weight, banish cellulite, get in shape and even to provide relief from certain types of foot pain. Almost all of the big shoes companies now have some toning shoes in their range. Skechers Shape Ups, Fitflops sandals and – the latest addition – Reebok Easy Tones are among the best known brands.

The theory behind toning shoes is the use of a specially designed sole which encourages a particular posture, gait or style of walking, in order to promote the use of muscles which don’t normally do much work. This, in theory at least, results in additional calories being burned whilst walking and also gives improved muscle tone.

It’s the sole that gives toning shoes their beneficial properties – but there are different designs of soles, all of which target the same effect. The thick, curved rocker type sole – as used by Masai Barefoot Technology (MBT) shoes and Skechers is intended to improve posture and to replicate the mechanics of walking in soft sand. Fitflops and Reebok use a sole which is intended to introduce micro-imbalances whilst walking. The theory being that the muscles in the lower body will, quite naturally, attempt to regain balance – thereby carrying out some extra work.

Many of the manufacturers have commissioned studies to measure the effectiveness of their toning shoes. A boost in lower body muscle activity of up to 30%, accompanied by a 10% increase in the calories burned is a common claim amongst the manufacturers. Most of the advertising campaigns for these shoes have a strong focus on the “effortless” nature of potential improvements. With slogans like “the sandal with the gym built in” (Fitflops) , “get in shape without setting foot in the gym” (Skechers) and “a better butt and legs with every step” (Reebok), the emphasis is firmly on toning and trimming without toiling.

It goes without saying that many question the validity of the research carried out. The very fact that the research was funded by the footwear manufacturers is enough to make some question the validity of the results. The American Council on Exercise (ACE) had their own research performed at Wisconsin-La Crosse University. They used 12 physically active women in the age range of nineteen to twenty four, who were subjected to a dozen five minute treadmill sessions whilst wearing traditional running shoes or toning shoes. The study results showed that toning shoes did not increase the rate at which calories were burned and that there was no significant increase in muscle usage.

The shoe manufacturers responded by pointing out that the ACE study was not representative and that the experience of a dozen, relatively young and active, women would not be indicative of the benefits which toning shoes might provide for people who are not currently physically active. It’s a fair point to make. The target demographic for toning shoes is not those who take exercise on a regular basis – but soccer moms.

Most studies performed to date seem to suggest that toning shoes can deliver some benefits to many wearers. Feedback from customers is, by and large, extremely positive. Plenty of wearers report feelings of tightness in their butt and legs, which they take as a sign of toning activity. Some users report that they have improved posture and, where relevant, less joint pain.

All things considered – the clinical evidence, the good customer feedback and the growth in this market sector – it looks like toning shoes are set to become a permanent addition to the available footwear options on the market. That’s no bad thing. If they do nothing other than to encourage wearers to walk a little more often on a daily basis, then that’s a step in the right direction.

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Womens World