A cache of new “health shoes” claims to help you do everything from tone muscles to lose weight. But do they work? RedDressDiary investigates…
Nobody - I mean nobody - loves shoes more than I do. So when you tell me my choice of footwear might also double as a diet and fitness aid, boy do you have my attention.And these are, in fact, some of the claims that drew my attention to a recent cache of “health” footwear – shoe styles that have hit the ground running, with health claims ranging from weight loss to muscle building and toning, increased circulation and more.
But can a shoe really accomplish any of this – I mean on it’s own without you actually having to do anything special like, oh, say, run 5 miles? The answer, it seems, depends on not only whom you ask - but what you're asking of your footwear.
New York City podiatrist Dr. Johanna S. Youner says, “ While some of the claims made by these manufacturers are valid, some are simply not.”
Moreover, some experts warn that because some of these shoes can cause a change in foot function, selecting the wrong style or getting an incorrect fit may net you more than just a few achy blisters.
“Its important to realize that these shoes force the foot to actually function differently, sometimes causing new muscles to engage in the foot or leg,” says podiatrist Dr. Emanuel Sergi, of Park Avenue Podiatric Associates in New York City.
If you don’t use them correctly, says Sergi, or if the fit isn’t right, a range of injuries can result including tendonitis, heel pain, plantar fasciitis (arch pain) or even a broken toe or two.
That said, I’ve also learned that if you choose your styles carefully, at least some of these new “health” shoes do have some interesting benefits to offer.
To help you make that choice I’ve asked Sergi and Youner to weigh in on the diet and exercise aspects of four of the most popular “health shoes”.
The FitFlop
Cost: $49.99
The Claims: The comfort of a traditional flip-flop with support and
comfort of a walking shoe. Plus, if you walk a lot, a small but impressive medical study offers evidence of muscle toning in the calves, thighs and buttocks, plus establishing a more normal and natural “gait” pattern.
The Claims: The comfort of a traditional flip-flop with support and
comfort of a walking shoe. Plus, if you walk a lot, a small but impressive medical study offers evidence of muscle toning in the calves, thighs and buttocks, plus establishing a more normal and natural “gait” pattern. The Foot Docs Say: While they are a step up from regular flip-flops (the thick sole, provides more protection for the foot), Sergi says they are still flip-flops, and your feet are going to work harder in them. “ This increases risks of tendonitis and other injuries including muscle soreness,” he says, adding that the risks are greater if you over do it –wearing them too long too soon. This is something even the company also warns about. If you suffer from heel pain, Sergi says “never” wear a FitFlop. “The bend of the shoe can lead to serous, painful inflammation,” he says.
RedDressDiary Says: They actually look more stylish than a regular flip-flop and they do make your legs look almost as good a Dr.Scholls sandal – the original and in my opinion, still the best shoe for leg toning.
The MBT - aka The Anti-Shoe
Cost: $200-$300 - or higher.
The Claims: Also known as the Masai Barefoot Technology, these shoes utilize a signature “rolling sole” to mimic walking on uneven terrain. (Think of a sneaker where the toes and heels are both curved upwards). The goal is to trick your feet into believing you are hiking through the woods, making neglected muscles work harder to maintain balance and absorb the shock of an uneven terrain, while all the while reducing impact on hip and knee joints.The Foot Docs Say: They can help improve certain food conditions such as heel pain, plantar fasciitis and bunions, but over do it, and again, you’ve got a whopping case of tendonitis. “Similar to custom arch supports you have to break them in – no more than a half hour a day to start and gradually increasing wear over time,” says Youner. As to whether or not they will tone your body or improve posture, experts say that in the beginning they might. But as your body gets used to the additional muscle activity required by the shoe, you’re likely to hit a plateau of improvement that won’t continue without additional workouts not related to your shoes.
RedDressDiary Says: You probably wouldn’t want to wear these in a crowded train station and if you do, for heaven’s sakes, don’t stand near the tracks!
Orthotebb Health Shoes
PRICE: $35 -$65
The Claims: Relief from pain caused by ill fitting shoes combined with a fat burning effect equal to climbing stairs are just two of the claims made by these shoes which feature an extreme “rocker sole” (think hard metal rock band shoes). They work by changing the center of gravity of your foot when you walk, which the company says can also trim and tone legs, hips, abs, buttocks and love handles, reduce the pain of plantar fasciitis, improve posture and back pain, improve circulation and burn calories. Available as thong type sandals, croc type clogs or space boots.
PRICE: $35 -$65
The Claims: Relief from pain caused by ill fitting shoes combined with a fat burning effect equal to climbing stairs are just two of the claims made by these shoes which feature an extreme “rocker sole” (think hard metal rock band shoes). They work by changing the center of gravity of your foot when you walk, which the company says can also trim and tone legs, hips, abs, buttocks and love handles, reduce the pain of plantar fasciitis, improve posture and back pain, improve circulation and burn calories. Available as thong type sandals, croc type clogs or space boots.The Foot Docs Say: Both Youner and Sergi say these shoes can be a huge help for those with specific foot problems – such as arthritis, plantar fasciitis and heel pain – but the claims end here. “ These are shoes to be used on the advice of your doctor for specific foot problems – they are not for the general public,” says Youner. Will they cause you to lose weight? Both Youner and Sergi say “No”.
RedDressDiary Says: I would not wear these on a day when you plan on drinking wine.
Arcopedico Classics
Cost: $50-$ 100
Cost: $50-$ 100
The Claims: Billed as the “world’s most comfortable shoe” this design boasts an insole that evenly distributes body weight across the entire foot to alleviate the formation of corns, calluses, and blisters, while also increasing circulation. The soft, mesh top of the original “classic” line, is also soft on corns, callous and bunions you might already have.The Foot Doc Says: Too many of the styles offer no support and consequently are much like bedroom slippers. “ They are good only for doing chores around the house – that’s about it” says Youner. Because some of the styles lack any kind of heel counter or support, she cautions that they offer no foot control and should never be worn if you are in a hurry and moving quickly, or doing any long distance walking. In other words, don’t pack them in your bag for Disney World.
RedDressDiary Says: Newer styles are available as leather oxfords and slip ons with good heel counter support but I still wouldn’t take 'em to Disney World until you’ve walked the local mall a few times!
The best advice: If you want to improve your health, tone your muscles, and burn some calories, the only shoes proven to help are a good pair of supportive sneakers that you lace up and wear to take about 10,000 steps a day!
For more information on these shoes -plus other free footcare tips visit http://www.reddressdiary.com/
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