Friday, 07 August 2009

  • Shape-Up Shoes, Do They Really Work??




    I have to say thanks to all those “No-gym-required products” (such as skin firming lotion, diet pills, and etc.) that are so easily obtainable nowadays, life is becoming so much easier and more convenient, especially for those dieters who absolutely “abhor” the idea of working out. Well, to be honest, I don't really believe in these “magic diets," and still think the best way to either lose weight or stay healthy is to actually exercise. However, there IS one product I've always been dying to try-- the Shape-Up Shoes.

    I've seen so many ads about these weird-looking, clunky Shape-Up Shoes either on the street or in magazines, and have always wondered if they really DO work. I actually want to try them, but I definitely don't want to pay 40 bucks before I know if they really work.

    I went to their website and checked to see how these shoes work, and it said “While you are wearing the shoes your body has a tendency to want to rock forward or roll back. By keeping focused on the flat part of the shoe under the ball of your foot, you are engaging muscle in your legs, buttocks, and core. When walking, allow ankle movement, and let the back of the shoe touch the ground - this will work your legs and get into your glutes. You will see! Shape Up Shoes are similar to a combination workout on a bosu/balance board and a Stairmaster.”

    Hmm... Sounds pretty convincing... But you can't ignore the downside when it comes to purchasing products. So, if they DO work, would it be safe enough to wear them outside considering the shape of these shoes? If you are in a hurry or running late, you obviously can't walk fast and definitely CANNOT run in these.

    Have any of you tried these shoes before? Do they really work?


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Comments (55)

  • fueledbylaura@xanga

    They look fun. ;D
  • someone_to_love_you@xanga

    i haven't seen this type of shoe, but i saw an ad in a magazine about skecher's "shape-up" shoes. i went to the website and these things cost about $110. YIKES! I don't have that much money to cough up for a pair of shoes. i really don't want to buy them if they're not going to work. does it seem like they would,...yeah....but i would want to hear a person that has been wearing them for a few months tell me how they helped and maybe a "before" and "after" photo to prove it works. LOL
  • kimtendo@xanga

    I have flipflops.
    Idk if they do anything, but they're sooooooo comfy!!
    I could walk 50 miles with these things.
  • SoHoian_NightOwl@xanga

    stairmaster is intense! 


    x 
  • aplynch1@xanga

    I'm really careful about what kinds of shoes I buy. First I have to ask myself if they are made with sweatshop labor, Nike is the worst so I hear and Brooks and New Balance are supposed to be made in the USA. Though you have to be careful. Many times the "boutique" grassroots shoes which can be very expensive as well are just as good, if not better than their larger competitors. I dunno, the Shape Up shoe just may be made by sweat shop laborers in China. That's a big no no right there.
  • marshmellowTM@xanga

    maybe u can add a hard rectangular object with a soft outter crust and attach it to your flip flops to try it. no need to buy. saves a lot of $$$ xD
  • MissPixieGlitter@xanga

    those look like a tripping hazard.
  • macphoto@xanga

    they remind me of a modified geta sandal
  • thats_not_my_name@xanga

    I think it sounds good in theory but the ones pictured just look like a fun way to break your ankle. 
  • GodsOlayinka@xanga

    Considering how much the Sketcher shoes cost, I hope they do something!
  • windonyourbones@xanga

    Whoa I wanna try them.
  • enterthelabyrinth@xanga

    Considering walking outside the house anywhere in those would get me laughed at quite considerably and I could never drive in them...or do stairs....I don't see the relevance. I don't like products that try to spin an 'exercise free' lifestyle.
  • ThUggUrL@xanga

    they look interesting to try.. I have fitflops. I'm not sure if they actually do anything.. because i go to the gym regularly so it's hard to tell! some people have told me personally that they work. i guess it's better than nothing in the end! lol
  • MomRant@xanga
    I tried the MBT gymshoes.  Thought they worked until I developed plantar fasciitis as a result from wearing them often. Took about a year to fully recover.  Ouch!
  • mewithoutu77@xanga

    i already have enough problems with flat shoes, me wearing those shoes would cause a ruckus.
  • S0N1@xanga

    I haven't but they look pretty cool haha. 
  • KennethTin@xanga

    I've got a pair of MBT's which work on similar principle, but are not as extreme as the ones in the photo. Do they work your legs a little harder? Yep. Are they comfortable for all day wear? Nope.

    I talked to someone who asked their podiatrist about them and the podiatrist recommended against them and just recommended they walk a bit more in regular shoes if they wanted the exercise.

    After owning a pair, I'd say: Save a couple hundred bucks, get a good stable pair of shoes to walk in and walk an extra mile. It's just not worth twisting your ankle, or hurting your feet as MomRant did.
  • eskeemo_kisses@xanga

    I'll have to pass on these. Exercising seems like a better choice.
  • just__one__me@xanga

    They look interesting and I believe that they would help somewhat, but not quite as much as a stairmaster. They sure would improve your balance...if you didn't sprain your ankle first.
  • dreamersconsequence@xanga

    i walk 10 miles every other day so i was SUPER excited when i saw the new Skechers Shape-Ups shoes, but i haven't tested them out yet (i also would like to hear some reviews first). i was blown away watching the Today show the other morning and they were talking about how exercise can now make you heavier than when you don't exercise.....???? really? their argument was that you tend to not watch what you eat as much if you are going to work out that day, whereas if you choose not to work out, or don't get a chance to, then you are more picky about what you put into your body. society has become so focused on numbers on the scale than simply going by how healthy they feel. madness...


    i also take into account the psychological aspects of these products. there have been numerous tests done on people doing normal, everyday things. one group is told to look at their actions as exercise, others are told to simply go on about their day like they normally do. the focus groups that are telling themselves what they are doing is helping them lose weight, most definitely do. it's amazing what the human mind is capable of.
  • huu_am_eye@xanga

    i guess they are like a time saver and all that, not having to go do all those different workouts, but i don't they are worth all that $$$
  • PenaltyLife@xanga

    i doubt it would work. the amount of work you put into walking in those shoes seem so minimal, and if you couldn't wear them outside, it would do almost nothing.

    if they want to imitate a stairmaster, they should walk up some stairs.
  • parkie871@xanga

    they're kinda similar to those fashion shoes (the ones that are heels but doesn't actually have heels). i saw them in a magazine. They're bad for your back!
  • la_faerie_joyeuse@xanga

    Those look terrible.

    If you really want to try them, grab a pair of foam platform flip flops and cut out the heel like they did.
  • Romieyahomie@xanga

    @MissPixieGlitter@xanga - lmao

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