5th September 2010: Our resident footwear expert Amy gives her review of Skechers new toning shoe…
If you’ve ever had to stand for a long amount of time on a concrete floor, you know that comfortable shoes are a must for standing jobs. If you don’t have adequate support, you’ll return home sore and in a bad mood. Thankfully, Skechers has a new shoe that can help combat the stress on your joints that standing for long periods can cause. Called Skechers Shape-Ups, these shoes can also go a long way in bettering your health.
Shape-Ups are an incredible tool for anyone who wants to tone muscle and lose weight but is too busy to spend hours in the gym every week. The unique design of these shoes results in a walking experience that can be compared to walking on sand. Instead of hitting the floor hard with every step, your feet sink into the shoes, requiring a little more effort to take each step. This extra effort can really add up, resulting in more tone and less weight.
The secret behind Shape-Ups is its rolling bottom. Instead of stepping straight down and back up again, Skechers causes you to step down on your heel, roll through your center of gravity, then push off with your toes. Think about walking barefoot on a sandy beach. As you step out your weight and the softness of the sand will cause your heel to sink down. The rest of your foot settles down with it. To complete the step you have to use your toes to push yourself out of the sand. This action requires more effort and muscle than walking on a flat surface does, which gives you a much better workout. Having a pair of Shape-Ups on is like walking on a beach all the time. It’s a more comfortable shoe for people having to be on their feet for long periods of time, plus it gives everyone a good workout.
So what is it about the build of Skechers Shape-Ups that make them so useful? Each shoe is made up of five layers, all of which work together to give you such a unique experience. The uppers are high quality and supportive, made of leather and mesh. They’ll give you the comfort you need, plus you can trust they have the same high quality that other Skechers shoes do. Immediately underneath your foot you’ll find a sockliner. This is a soft insole that helps keep your foot comfortable and protected. The third level is called a midsole. This sole is strong and sturdy, which will keep your foot stable. The fourth layer is what makes the Shape-Up so unique: the kinetic wedge. It’s made of very soft foam, and is constructed so your heel is higher than your toes. This level is where that walking on sand feeling comes from. The kinetic wedge will absorb shock (which will protect your joints and back), and provide exercise for your core. Finally, on the bottom you’ll find the outsole. This rubber sole will keep your feet safe and help push you to your next step.
Shape-Ups are obviously designed to keep you in shape, but what exactly are the benefits of wearing them? One of the biggest advantages is that your body is working more when you walk in them, which will eventually result in weight loss. The muscles in your thighs, calves, and buttocks will get toned, plus you might see a reduction of cellulite in your legs. Using Shape-Ups properly will help improve your posture. Your back will thank you for not slouching, plus you may appear a big taller when your posture is correct. Your stamina will improve the longer you wear these shoes, and the continued exercise might even benefit your cardiovascular health.
One of the best features of Shape-Ups is their convenience. Think about it: how many other exercise products have you seen that require no batteries and can fit in a shoebox? You can take these shoes with you anywhere you want to work out. Put them on before you go for a walk, or keep them in your car and wear them during your lunch break. If your job requires you to stand for long periods of time you can wear them all day and feel much more comfortable. The best part is, most people won’t even notice you’re wearing a special kind of shoe. Skechers is known for making stylish casual shoes, and they bring their sense of fashion to the Shape-Up’s design. You won’t have to sacrifice your outfit to wear these shoes: they are both comfortable and good for you.
Skechers Shape-Ups really do have it all. They’re a comfortable shoe that will keep you smiling through a long work day, they’re a tool to use in bettering your health and posture, and they’re a stylish addition to any wardrobe. It’s hard to find a reason why you shouldn’t give these shoes a try.
The latest Skechers design from the good old US of A is a fitness footwear sensation that has swept the nation, and not a moment too soon. Skechers Shape Ups offer an excellent way to keep fit and develop tone in the muscles of the leg, without having to set foot in a gym. The unique styling recreates the beneficial effects of walking in soft sand; cushioning the foot, and promoting the rolling of the foot. Skechers Shape Ups help improve weight transfer, fully support the foot, and encourage muscle toning movement throughout the whole body.
It’s not just the legs that benefit from Shape Ups. The promotion of a much more natural posture reduces stresses on the joints of the back and the knees, whilst bringing the burn to the whole leg, bottom and the abdomen. Clinical studies in the USA and Japan have clearly demonstrated the benefits of Shape Ups over more conventional footwear.
So how is this all possible? Better muscle tone without any additional exercise programmes sounds too good to be true. By designing the sole of the shoe with a variable centre of balance, the body has to work harder to maintain the correct posture, promoting the use to other muscles to compensate. The same calorie burning and muscle tone which comes from walking in normal shoes can be achieved with a pair of Skechers Shape Ups walking at a slower speed or in a much reduced timeframe.
A rounded sole cushions the heel, and the patented kinetic wedge inlay offers maximum shock absorption. The foot is naturally forced to roll forward onto the toes in preparation for the next step. This increases the muscle activity all over the body, providing a more thorough workout simply by walking normally. To promote healthy feet, the uppers are made of breathable fabric and suede which provide a hard wearing shoe which allows the feet to breathe.
The range is designed for busy people who can go about their usual routines whilst toning muscle, fitness fanatics who just can’t get enough, and everyone in-between. Weight loss and muscle tone has never been easier to achieve. So pick one of the extensive ranges of colours and look fantastic whilst you feel the burn!