Shape-Ups

Sketchers' new brand of shoes, Shape-ups, are making bold claims. They are designed, according to the web-site, to improve posture, promote weight loss, and tone muscles. Not only that, but they improve blood circulation, straighten the back, tighten the core, firm the glutes, and even reduce cellulite. Their "dynamic rolling bottom, soft foam insole and dual-density midsole can target and condition the postural and stability muscles of the hips and lower back."

They even have a clinical study to back this up. During a six-week trial, the participants wore these shoes and saw noticeable gains in gluteal strength, lost a few pounds of fat, and increased low-back endurance. Of course, and here's the rub, they maintained their "typical walking program" and diet. The study doesn't say what that includes, of course.

On the one hand, I support any shoe that replace high-heels, the worst kind of shoe that a woman could wear. They promote a more natural gait, and I can't complain about that. Testimonials say they are more comfortable than regular shoes.

However, fat gain is not a result of bad shoes. You will not lose or gain fat because you're wearing the wrong shoe. Wrong shoes can ruin your posture, cause pain, and even lead to injuries. The reason some people can't lose weight is because they aren't walking or moving at all. A woman who wears Shape Ups and sits all day is not going to lose weight. Another woman who wears normal shoes and actually walks several thousand steps per day is going to lose more weight.

All the claims regarding increased fat loss, caloric burn, firmer muscles, and a tighter core cannot be attributed to the shoes. The benefits are not a result of Shape-Ups, but rather the actual act of walking.

The instructional video says that you can avoid the gym with Shape-Ups. I didn't realize that shoes work the upper body as well. That's pretty remarkable.

There might be one more benefit to these shoes, however. They might encourage women to walk more. If women think they're burning more calories with these shoes, and walk more as a result, that's terrific. But the fat they lose is because of the extra walking, not the design of their shoes.

Verdict: Save your $110.

Stay tuned for my next post, which will be about the shoes everybody should be wearing.

Kevin