You probably have seen the commercials or the newspaper advertisements for those funny looking Sketchers. With their clumsy and clunky appearance I could have guessed that the shoe I saw in the ad belonged to Sketchers, but what they have done now is even funkier than any shoe they have ever produced.
They are called Shape Ups. If you have not heard of them before, they are shoes that are designed to promote weight loss, improve posture, tone muscles, and reduce the stress that is on your knees and ankles. They are really some kind of a shoe—they look like your typical shoe, but with a curved bump on the sole. How do they work?
Well, they are designed to help by changing the way that you walk. People say that walking barefoot is good for you so that you strengthen your arches and feet. They say that running on grass is better for your bones and knees and that walking on sand can have major benefits. Well, Sketchers has decided to draw from nature to develop a new kind of shoe. What they have done is to use a kinetic wedge insert and a rolling bottom to simulate walking on soft sand. They say that the movement that these shoes put your body through results in stronger leg, buttock, back and abdominal muscles. How is that for a shoe?
I will admit that the concept is pretty interesting. The shoe itself is not to aesthetically appealing to me, but perhaps to other people it is. However, some people may determine that these shoes could aid their fitness and would choose these shoes over a typical shoe. Because this is relatively new technology, I am curious to see how these shoes work in the long run.
Speaking of running, now I am curious to find out if you can actually run in these shoes. Sketchers typically is not a strong supplier of running shoes, but maybe this shoe is different.
Shape Ups may just be the new thing, we shall see!
Sketchers knocked off the originator of this style of shoe, the MBT. I’ll start by saying I work for MBT (part time), but I am first and foremost a fitness guy. I’ve been a Certified Personal Trainer since 1992 and owned a gym for 10 years. I am not into gimmicks or supplements and I came across MBT’s when one of my clients, a shoe rep, wanted me to check them out for him.
So do they work, yes, at least the MBT style does. Over 39 independent research studies, 10+ years on peoples’ feet with tons of testimonials.
What they are:
-super comfortable footwear
-best for walking, also great for people in standing professions
-They are a great ENHANCEMENT to a wellness program, NOT a REPLACEMENT!
-Great for recovery for athletes (improved circulation, great for posture).
-great for certain foot ailments, most commonly plantar fasciitis (MBTs are a class 1 medical device for which doctors in Europe, switzerland and Canada write prescriptions)
-A great relief for many lower back conditions (less pressure on the joints when walking, more core strengthening, better postural alignment)
What they are not:
-a basketball shoe-or any court activity where you do quick lateral motions
-Not designed as a running shoe, though slower jogging, in which you can still do a heel-toe motion (not a midfoot or forefoot plant) is fine (and comfy)
My advice-go with the proven model, the MBT, Try it on and see if it works for you. Yes, they are a bit funky looking, but in 2010 they came out with some lower profile styles that are much better looking. I get no commissions here and am writing this on my own time because I feel the brand is great and like to promote healthy living, enjoy!