Are Toning Shoes One Hundred Percent Safe To Wear?
Posted by Theo Orlissian in Uncategorized, tags: aerobic exercise, diet, exercise, fitness, footwear, health, healthy living, hobbies, lose weight, Uncategorized, walking, weight loss, workoutThe popularity of toning shoes has increased exponentially over the last year or two. In 2008, just $ 17 million worth of toning shoes were sold. 2010 sales are predicted to be between $ 1 billion and $ 1.5 billion. There are currently 6 pairs of toning shoes in the top ten best sellers athletic shoe list - 4 Skechers Shape Ups and 2 Reebok Easy Tones.
It’s hardly surprising. The prospect of getting a free lower body workout, toning your legs, trimming down your bottom, banishing cellulite and generally getting in better shape, just by wearing a different pair of shoes is a tantalising one. However, recent events may be giving some prospective buyers pause for thought, and possibly even making them wonder if it’s safe to wear toning shoes.
An Ohio woman is suing Skechers, claiming that wearing their their Shape Up Shoes caused her injury. It’s anything but an open and shut case - it appears as if prolonged use was involved. Even so, there has been a lot of bad press and there is even a special website which has been set up by injury lawyers ready to “assist” anyone who wants to initiate a claim against certain shoe companies.
The facts of the matter are very simple: As with any other item of exercise equipment, toning shoes should be used in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Improper use, or over use could lead to injury - as is the case with virtually any form of physical exercise. For example, even without toning shoes, running, jogging or taking part in any sporting activity to excess, can result in sprains, strains and repetitive type injuries.
However, unless you have a pre-existing medical condition, if you follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and if you don’t overdo things or attempt something that your own body is incapable of achieving, then toning shoes, combined with walking, represent a low impact, low injury risk way to exercise and get in shape. Take some sensible precautions, do a little research and toning shoes will be not only safe to wear and use, but will be a positive benefit for you.
Choose the right type of toning shoe. There are numerous different brands and styles. Most of these are intended for walking, although there are some toning shoes which may be used for running or jogging available now. Choose the type most suited to your intended form of use. If you choose toning shoes which are designed for walking, then don’t wear them for jogging, running or playing sports in.
The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) seal of acceptance is a good sign. There are a variety of different toning shoes which have been evaluated by the APMA - Reebok EasyTones and FitFlops for example - and which have received the APMA seal of acceptance to indicate that they are “foot friendly”.
After you’ve picked the right toning shoes for you, don’t forget to break them in and let your body get used to them. Wear them for short periods only until you become accustomed to them. Make sure that they are a good fit and, whilst they may feel a little odd at first, they shouldn’t alter your walking gait to the point where you feel unstable. Read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and follow them.
As previously mentioned, walking is a low injury risk, low impact form of exercise, it’s still a good idea to stretch prior to your walking workout. Take it easy at first and have a cool down period at the end.
Finally, if you suffer from any medical conditions (and even if you don’t), it’s always a good idea to seek medical advice before you embark upon any new exercise routine. Whilst there is a wide variety of different styles and brands of toning shoes, almost all of them operate on the principle of introducing a small element of instability to the walking process. If you have problems with your balance, then toning shoes might not be a good choice for you.
However, for most people, a walking exercise program augmented by toning shoes will be both safe and beneficial. Rather than thinking of toning shoes as some kind of magic pill, think of them as no more than a useful exercise aid which can help to increase the effectiveness of your workout regime. Be sensible and you’ll be able to get into better shape as well as gaining a whole host of other health benefits into the bargain.
Check out the latest FitFlop winter boots. Or check out Frye Boots for some top quality Western styling.
Entries (RSS)