Shape Up Shoes, do they work?

alexa5x5

Hey,

I’ve been thinking of buying either Sketchers (Shape ups) or Reebok (Easytone) for a while now. I don’t need to lose any weight but I would like to tone up my legs and a$$, they are a bit to jiggly for my liking! I’ve recently started running every evening, would running in a pair of these help me tone up quicker? Is it even possible to run in them, or where they made for just walking?

Basically, anyone with experience of them good or bad please comment.

Zamboni

alexa5x5 wrote: »

Hey,

I’ve been thinking of buying either Sketchers (Shape ups) or Reebok (Easytone) for a while now. I don’t need to lose any weight but I would like to tone up my legs and a$$, they are a bit to jiggly for my liking! I’ve recently started running every evening, would running in a pair of these help me tone up quicker? Is it even possible to run in them, or where they made for just walking?

Basically, anyone with experience of them good or bad please comment.

They are just normal trainers and they are marketed based on peoples insecurities and fear.
If you like running as an alternative you could try barefoot running on grass.

Oryx

I have no experience of the shoes, but I would be of the opinion that its not the shoe that will have an effect, its the amount of exercise you do in them. It wont cut out any of the hard work that you need to put in.

I would tend to dismiss anything like this as a marketing ploy. If youre running, get some decent running shoes that suit your foot.

d'Oracle

alexa5x5 wrote: »

Hey,

I’ve been thinking of buying either Sketchers (Shape ups) or Reebok (Easytone) for a while now. I don’t need to lose any weight but I would like to tone up my legs and a$$, they are a bit to jiggly for my liking! I’ve recently started running every evening, would running in a pair of these help me tone up quicker? Is it even possible to run in them, or where they made for just walking?

Basically, anyone with experience of them good or bad please comment.

There is literally no reason to believe that wearing shoes will have any effect on your jiggle.

In order to reduce your jiggle, you would need to lose some fat, cos usually that is what causes jiggle.
You lose fat by using more energy than you take in.

The thing is if you run (purely for example) 3km, with normal runners on and next day run 3km at the same speed with the reebosketch snake-oil-dejiggle shoes, you will still be moving your body weight over 3km at that speed and therefore using the same amount of energy. The shoes change nothing.

It should be common sense that the claims in the ads for this crap are indeed crap. MBT's too.


Look at it this way, shoes change the relationship between the ground and your foot, specific footware is designed for certain activities. Hiking boots protect your feet and keep the ankle stable on uneven terrain. Running shoes cushion the heel for people who run by striking the ground with their heel first. Football boots have studs to prevent slipping on grass.

None of these make the movement use any more energy.

Taceom

I've had MBTs and while they are lovely and comfortable to wear I can't say that they've made the slightest bit of difference to toning me up.
A big complaint I would have with them is that they're not great on an uneven surface, I've slipped many times wearing them while walking on uneven ground and hence the reason I don't wear them anymore, and wouldn't recommend them.

alexa5x5

Zamboni wrote: »

They are just normal trainers and they are marketed based on peoples insecurities and fear.
If you like running as an alternative you could try barefoot running on grass.

Barefoot running on grass in Dublin...Hell no!

Lantus

'toning' a muscle (whatever that means?!?) requires you to shock it into growth by applying a load on it.

for your glutes try lunges (with a weight!) and squats and deadlifts.

A fancy trainer I dont' believe will help you do that. Maybe if you stare at it hard enough it will come true? Anyway, have to go, the fairies are delivering a six pack later and I still have to clean up all the mess the leprechans made at last nights party...

Mod edit: Infracted. It's not smart or cool. Easy to refrain from replying if you feel you can't be more constructive

alexa5x5

Zamboni, Oryx, d'Oracle, Lantus
I appreciate you taking the time to reply, but I am looking for answers from people with experience of wearing these shoes, not opinions on if they do or don’t work.

alexa5x5

Lantus wrote: »

'toning' a muscle (whatever that means?!?) requires you to shock it into growth by applying a load on it.

for your glutes try lunges (with a weight!) and squats and deadlifts.

A fancy trainer I dont' believe will help you do that. Maybe if you stare at it hard enough it will come true? Anyway, have to go, the fairies are delivering a six pack later and I still have to clean up all the mess the leprechans made at last nights party...

Was it really necessary to be so sarcastic and insulting? I know it’s easy to be rude when your hiding behind a computer screen but your attitude was uncalled for.

metamorphosis

Lantus infracted.

Let's move on folks, back to the topic on hand.

LOLA08

Right advice i would not recommend the reebok easy tones, i had 1 pair and bought them last april by June they were in bits, the inside was falling apart, and sole had holes in it, and when i walked air got trapped in the sole and i squeaked when i walked. also they werent very comfortable.

MBT Had those to, heavy so you do get the extra workout its like having weights on you ankles. I did find them good but expensive. would not recommend them to go running in either. also watch it when you are walking on uneven surfaces.

Sketchers shapeups nerver tried them but i'd say they are like the MBT's, but cheaper. so would start on those.

whatever people say about the above runner, at the end of the day its about you, and what you want. & i see a lot of people wearing them. they are also not just for toning up but for bad posture. when you wear them you have to walk with your shoulders back and in the correct posture. so if nothing else they will straighen your posture out, which is a postive thing already to start with.

good luck

Hanley

alexa5x5 wrote: »

but I am looking for answers from people with experience of wearing these shoes, not opinions on if they do or don’t work.

It's not a matter of opinion. They don't work.

One does not need to wear them to arrive at that conclusion.

metamorphosis

OP - the shoe you wear will not have any added effect on your weight loss/'toneage' or otherwise. Wesring the right shoe will however help your gait in some cases if it is off. Such a shoe like the reebok one, could actually have unfaveourable altercations to your gait (despite what it says - marketing).

Get a gait analysis, get a regualar training shoe to fit your biomechanics and you will be flying!

A show won't help you burn more calories

d'Oracle

alexa5x5 wrote: »

Zamboni, Oryx, d'Oracle, Lantus
I appreciate you taking the time to reply, but I am looking for answers from people with experience of wearing these shoes, not opinions on if they do or don’t work.

No problem.

But just as an addendum.
If someone comes on here and tells you they worked for them, they will be at the least confusing the matter, at the median talking rubbish and at the most trying to ensure you waste your money.

I put in the effort to explain why, (in fact, not opinion) that they won't work.
I have worn a great many different shoes, at the moment I probably own 6 pairs of shoes that all radically alter the way my foot interacts with the ground. None of these have explicitly had any effect whatsoever on the shape of my ass.

Davei141

d'Oracle wrote: »

No problem.

But just as an addendum.
If someone comes on here and tells you they worked for them, they will be at the least confusing the matter, at the median talking rubbish and at the most trying to ensure you waste your money.

I put in the effort to explain why, (in fact, not opinion) that they won't work.
I have worn a great many different shoes, at the moment I probably own 6 pairs of shoes that all radically alter the way my foot interacts with the ground. None of these have explicitly had any effect whatsoever on the shape of my ass.

Listen to this post OP. The only person who is advocating them doesn't even explain why or how they worked for them, just that they bought them and hell you should too. Please put your money to better use.

LOLA08

sometimes a little helping hand even if they don't work gives you the boost you need. if you believe they are helping you, than you will more than lightly get more motivated to get out and excerise.

i take vit c every day is it helping me ... have no idea but i still take it.

Dotcomdolly

When I visited a physio recently she said " you don't wear those negative balance shoes do you??" in a distinctly un-approving manner.

alexa5x5

Wow seriously, if someone asks a specific question that Ive no experience with I just dont answer it....I wanted opinions from people that have tried these trainers and either liked or disliked them.
Ive never even tried them on, I dont know anyone thats tired them, thats why Im asking, so far the answer have been pure speculation.
I know this is a fitness section and every one have an opinion on what others should and shouldnt be doing but please, Im only interested in the opinion of people that have tried them and found them helpful or a complete waste of time.

Its a specific question, either yes helpful, or no crap.

Hanley

alexa5x5 wrote: »

Wow seriously, if someone asks a specific question that Ive no experience with I just dont answer it....I wanted opinions from people that have tried these trainers and either liked or disliked them.
Ive never even tried them on, I dont know anyone thats tired them, thats why Im asking, so far the answer have been pure speculation.
I know this is a fitness section and every one have an opinion on what others should and shouldnt be doing but please, Im only interested in the opinion of people that have tried them and found them helpful or a complete waste of time.

Its a specific question, either yes helpful, or no crap.

Your attitude is awful, and you'll continue to be unhappy with your legs if you buy those shoes.

Bruce7

I think it's pretty amazing that someone looked at some semi-starving tribe in Africa who have to walk miles in the blazing heat every day just to get water, or to herd their animals or whatever, and concluded that they are thin because of the special way they walk, and that this is the only part of their lifestyle that people wanting to lose weight should try to imitate.

d'Oracle

Bruce7 wrote: »

I think it's pretty amazing that someone looked at some semi-starving tribe in Africa who have to walk miles in the blazing heat every day just to get water, or to herd their animals or whatever, and concluded that they are thin because of the special way they walk, and that this is the only part of their lifestyle that people wanting to lose weight should try to imitate.

Not to mention, that person looked at a load of people who walk around barefoot and decided that people need absurdly thick odd shaped shoes to walk like them.

gavtron

alexa5x5 wrote: »

Wow seriously, if someone asks a specific question that Ive no experience with I just dont answer it....I wanted opinions from people that have tried these trainers and either liked or disliked them.
Ive never even tried them on, I dont know anyone thats tired them, thats why Im asking, so far the answer have been pure speculation.
I know this is a fitness section and every one have an opinion on what others should and shouldnt be doing but please, Im only interested in the opinion of people that have tried them and found them helpful or a complete waste of time.

Its a specific question, either yes helpful, or no crap.

I read the below study a while back on these, might help you make up your mind. No I don't have any experience wearing them, the closest I've gotten was knowing a girl who used to sell MBTs but here you go anyway, no speculation here, just science!

http://www.acefitness.org/getfit/studies/toningshoes072010.pdf

They make no difference!

deblen

alexa5x5 wrote: »

Hey,

I’ve been thinking of buying either Sketchers (Shape ups) or Reebok (Easytone) for a while now. I don’t need to lose any weight but I would like to tone up my legs and a$$, they are a bit to jiggly for my liking! I’ve recently started running every evening, would running in a pair of these help me tone up quicker? Is it even possible to run in them, or where they made for just walking?

Basically, anyone with experience of them good or bad please comment.

H i there, I have a pair of shape ups and hav dem over a yr now....I luv dem, dey are sooo comfy and I get loadsa use outa dem, I wear dem to work coz Im on my feet all d time...dey are not designed for running I think it wud be very hard to run in dem coz der platform type, but are fantastic to walk in and yes I think dey do tone up ur legs:)

Brian?

alexa5x5 wrote: »

Wow seriously, if someone asks a specific question that Ive no experience with I just dont answer it....I wanted opinions from people that have tried these trainers and either liked or disliked them.
Ive never even tried them on, I dont know anyone thats tired them, thats why Im asking, so far the answer have been pure speculation.
I know this is a fitness section and every one have an opinion on what others should and shouldnt be doing but please, Im only interested in the opinion of people that have tried them and found them helpful or a complete waste of time.

Its a specific question, either yes helpful, or no crap.

I don't think there is any need for that.

The reason no one here has tried them is because they know they won't work. Telling you that is being helpful.

Brian?

deblen wrote: »

H i there, I have a pair of shape ups and hav dem over a yr now....I luv dem, dey are sooo comfy and I get loadsa use outa dem, I wear dem to work coz Im on my feet all d time...dey are not designed for running I think it wud be very hard to run in dem coz der platform type, but are fantastic to walk in and yes I think dey do tone up ur legs:)

No text speak please

alexa5x5

alexa5x5 wrote: »

Wow seriously, if someone asks a specific question that Ive no experience with I just dont answer it....I wanted opinions from people that have tried these trainers and either liked or disliked them.
Ive never even tried them on, I dont know anyone thats tired them, thats why Im asking, so far the answer have been pure speculation.
I know this is a fitness section and every one have an opinion on what others should and shouldnt be doing but please, Im only interested in the opinion of people that have tried them and found them helpful or a complete waste of time.

Its a specific question, either yes helpful, or no crap.

Do you need someone to have actually jumped off a cliff to tell you that's a bad idea?

They're rubbish and won't work and will waste your money, it's as simple as that, we don't need to have tried them to tell you that

Oryx

Before you dismiss what those who havent worn the shoes say as irrelevant, check some of the posting histories. These people train, and they understand what it takes to change the shape of your ass. Which is why I think they are qualified to comment. Theyre only trying to give you good advice and prevent you wasting money on shoes, that would be better spent on something more productive, which will actually achieve your goals.

alexa5x5

Hanley wrote: »

Your attitude is awful, and you'll continue to be unhappy with your legs if you buy those shoes.

If you read the previous posts you'll understand my frustration and why I felt it necessary to clarify my question. Most post so far have not answered my question or been down right rude and insulting. TBH Im pretty shocked, this isnt AH. And no Im not unhappy with my body, Im not over weight in any way, I just simply want to tone up "tighten up" whatever you want to call it.

Moderators, please close this thread.

alexa5x5

bluewolf wrote: »

Do you need someone to have actually jumped off a cliff to tell you that's a bad idea?

They're rubbish and won't work and will waste your money, it's as simple as that, we don't need to have tried them to tell you that

Wow :rolleyes:

AssaultedPeanut

d'Oracle wrote: »

Not to mention, that person looked at a load of people who walk around barefoot and decided that people need absurdly thick odd shaped shoes to walk like them.

This has me in stitches They look like corrective shoes for people with a club foot or one leg shorter than the other or something.

Anyway, OP it's quite clear they do not work. They are just weird looking over-priced runners.

But you want just one or two people, out of a whole bunch of people who know what they're talking about, to say they worked for them so you can justify splurging on the latest fad.....

Lantus

Your right, bad post on my part. Apologies to all. bad day, bad head and Mrs Lantus is picking out my brains one spoon at a time....a flamable combo...!!!

metamorphosis

Op - you're been too sensitive imho about the issue and the feedback here. The feedback here has been very much accurate

But, at the end of the day, it's your money to spend how you choose too. Imho, I think you were just looking for someone to validate a scientifically unvalidateable(is this a word?) thing. I don't want to come across as abusive to you so please don't take it that way. Posters here (many who are regarded well in fitness industry and who know lots of things!) simply don't want to see you waster your money.

Thread locked as per OPs request