Ask A Trainer Wednesday: Toning Shoes

Wednesday's are going to start looking a little different around here. Typically the trainers from American Mobile Fitness briefly answer several questions submitted by readers, but starting this week we will we answering a single question each week instead. Not only will one or more of the trainers be weighing in, but I'll be doing a bit of additional research to provide comprehensive answers to the questions posed.

The Q & A today focuses on "toning shoes." Several companies including Adidas, Sketchers, Avia and Reebok produce shoes marketed as having the ability to help you tone up simply by walking. The claim is that the contour of the soles of the shoes creates an unstable surface and, therefore, forces the wearers muscles to work harder to maintain their position.

This week's question comes from Stephanie Ferris at Steph in the City.

"I'm curious what he [Gregg at American Mobile Fitness] thinks of these supposed "toning tennis shoes" that are all the rage. I bought some and, while I will say they make me walk more because it puts such a spring in my step that makes walking fun, I don't really notice they tone me all that much, and I've worked hard to walk the way they said I should."

Gregg Schwartz of American Mobile Fitness feels that the shoes are designed to target certain muscles but cautions that a bit of practice walking in the shoes might be necessary to avoid injuring oneself due to the instability the shoes can create. On the plus side, he feels that they could contribute to better posture. He concluded by saying that if Stephanie is walking more often because the shoes make that activity more fun, that is a positive.

Personal trainer, Cameesa Pikus, on the hand, responded that she sees the shoes as "gimmicky". Cameesa is concerned that the shoes promote the idea of an easy fix for something you must work at, exercise. Cameesa also shared with me that the subject of these shoes was addressed at a training last week sponsored by the American Council on Exercise (ACE.) Attendees were told that the company that produces the shoes is currently in a lawsuit.

The word "lawsuit" can scare people away pretty quickly. In order to be fair, I did a little digging to see what I could learn about a possible lawsuit and came up empty. After an internet search, including the ACE website, I could find no reports of a lawsuit pending. That is not to say that one does not exist.

According to an article at Webmd.com, the idea of toning shoes began as a specialty shoe for patients with ankle problems or diabetes and spread to the mainstream shoe industry. The shoes create instability similar to walking in sand. When actions involve instability, our bodies respond by using muscles that typically aren't used in day-to-day activity. (You can read more about this here.)

When asked about rocker bottom or toning tennis shoes, podiatrist Cary Golub, DPM had this to say:

"These shoes put the strain on your hamstrings and glutes, so if you are not athletic or a seasoned walker, they may hurt the muscles that they are supposed to help... If you are not used to firing these muscles, the shoes may hurt."

Golub further advises those new to these shoes to start out slowly and not try walking long distances at first.

From my personal perspective as a massage therapist, I would be most concerned about those with balance issues and the elderly for whom falls could cause a multitude of problems or further exacerbate existing conditions. I would advise against running in this type of shoe as well as wearing them while performing chores that involve lifting.

I hope that we thoroughly answered Stephanie's question today and that you enjoy the new format of Ask a Trainer Wednesday. Please feel free to submit a question that you would like to see covered in a future post. This can be done by leaving your question in the comments section at the bottom of this post.