OT: Skechers Shape-ups

[roster]

http://myshapeups.com/

What is with these? Any significant benefit?

They make a lot of claims about what they do for you, but walking with any decent pair of shoes will also improve all of those things - posture, back strength, glutes, thighs, calf muscles, etc.

I saw a lady stocking shelves at the grocery store and wearing a pair. She did not look too comfortable in them.

[dave21]

They've been advertised on the TV a lot in the UK recently and although they're supposed to give you better arch support (that's what I think they're for) they do look really uncomfortable. Although I suspect they're not when you wear them.

Shoe manufacturers alway say that flat shoes with no arch support give your feet bad design and make you over time walk differently. Don't know how much truth there is in this.

[Babette]

Latest word is that it's all hype. I bought a pair of flip flops a year or so ago that were guaranteed to give me a shapely ass. Nada.

Save your money. If you want to lose weight, eat less and exercise more.

LOL,
B.

[SleepingUgly]

Rooster, they might not work, but they would go great with your ladies stockings!

http://myshapeups.com/

What is with these? Any significant benefit?

They make a lot of claims about what they do for you, but walking with any decent pair of shoes will also improve all of those things - posture, back strength, glutes, thighs, calf muscles, etc.

I saw a lady stocking shelves at the grocery store and wearing a pair. She did not look too comfortable in them.

[Banned]

but walking with any decent pair of shoes will also improve all of those things - posture, back strength, glutes, thighs, calf muscles, etc.

and keep you bent forward at a constant 10 degree list, but let's face it, the the rakish 10 degree list still looks good!

I saw a lady stocking shelves at the grocery store and wearing a pair. She did not look too comfortable in them.

Are you sure you weren't leering at her?

These:
http://www.swissmasai.com/CountrySelection.aspx

and a CPAP should cure anybody.

I own 8 pair.

[tillymarigold_]

I have a pair of MBTs which are the same sort of idea (and they're what Banned linked to). They're called negative-heel shoes. Other brands are FitFlops and Earth shoes and there's also some sort of Reeboks that do the same thing.

If I walk a truly extraordinary amount in them (like 5 miles or more per day), then yes, there is a visible difference. Otherwise, no.

[kteague]

Saw a supposed investigative report on this type of shoe, comparatively looking at which muscles were used, and it determined they are not much better if at all, and in some respects worse, than other athletic shoes.

[Banned]

If I walk a truly extraordinary amount in them (like 5 miles or more per day), then yes, there is a visible difference. Otherwise, no.

I used to have to walk with a cane as a result of knee surgery in '92.
I haven't used the cane since I bought my first pair of MBT's 2 1/2 years ago.
Made me a believer.
Hence, I may be the Amelda Marcos (Sp) of MBTs.

[roster]

My house guest told me at dinner that they operate on the same principle as a balance board and are very unstable. He tried on a pair at the store and talked to the sales rep a long time.

Banned, if they are as unstable as a balance board, I would be afraid of injury going from knee surgery and a cane to a pair of these.

Regarding the Earth Shoes, I remember the hippies wearing these in the sixties. The Earth Shoes had a negative heel but were stable because they did not have that "rocker" in the middle of the shoes like the MBT and Skechers.

[Banned]

My house guest told me at dinner that they operate on the same principle as a balance board and are very unstable.

What Your dinner guest meant to tell you was they operate on the principle of walking on sand. MBTs mimic the instability of walking (barefoot) on a sandy beach.

Banned, if they are as unstable as a balance board, I would be afraid of injury going from knee surgery and a cane to a pair of these.

You walk differently in MBTs. You step down on the center "sensor" of the shoe and rock forward for the step. You also take shorter steps than walking in regular shoes. And you keep your head up, eyes looking ahead.

The instability makes your feet and upper and lower leg muscles work automatically to compensate for the instability. The result is you end up perfectly erect and your core is perfectly centered as you walk. It's extremely low impact and provides an extremely stable stride.

Possibly the reason MBTs worked to eliminate the cane for me is because when you step out in MBTs, the upper and lower leg muscles keep the knee stable and centered with each step.

Regarding the Earth Shoes, I remember the hippies wearing these in the sixties. The Earth Shoes had a negative heel but were stable because they did not have that "rocker" in the middle of the shoes like the MBT and Skechers.

And earth shoes, like hippies, disappeared relatively quickly. MBTs maybe around for awhile.

Skechers are johnny-come-lately MBT 'knock-offs'. I would never wear them.

[gasp]

I think if any new product works miracles it will be common place very quickly. I haven't seen one person in them : )

[Banned]

I think if any new product works miracles it will be common place very quickly. I haven't seen one person in them : )

LOL!! Can't argue that.

I'm only too happy that someone must be buying them (besides me) because they are still on the market.

MBTs have never been advertised to eliminate the need for a cane. Just my experience.

I still watch people with normal shoes, walking and standing with that 10 degree forward list, thinking to myself, "That's gotta hurt, and they don't even know it".

[roster]

Banned,

You give a very convincing testimony for MBTs. I will try them on in the store.

I am thinking about using them for casual wear.

Athletically, I run mountain trails and wear trail shoes which have a low profile (thin sole). The lower profile puts the foot closer to the ground and helps prevent ankle turns on rough, boulder-strewn trails. By contrast, it would seem the MBT type raises the foot and might cause a great tendency to turn the ankle on rough terrain.

It will be interesting to see what happens to MBTs in the U.S. You might think that a similar product at a much cheaper price has arrived and will make a dent in MBT sales. But it could be that the Skechers draw attention to this type of shoe and sales of MBTs to "shoe-snobs" (I am one ) skyrocket.

Zappos is a good internet source of shoes. They ship free and if you get the wrong size they pay for return shipment.

http://www.zappos.com/mens-mbt-shoes

http://www.zappos.com/mens-mbt-shoes

[LinkC]

I bought a pair of flip flops a year or so ago that were guaranteed to give me a shapely ass.

I'm no expert, but I think they're supposed to go on your feet...

[roster]

Don't forget other parts of the wonderful female anatomy.

Are your boobs wearing the right shoes?

Now that the ass is 28% more toned and thus getting all the attention, the boobs are jealous.
http://www.salon.com/life/broadsheet/fe ... reebok_ads