Many people have purchased a new kind of footwear whose manufacturers claim will improve fitness and health. Toning shoes or rocker sole shoes allegedly help wearers burn more calories, tone their buttocks, improve posture and curb joint pain. But do these shoes really do what their boosters claim?
According to the manufacturers, toning shoes are designed to help maintain balance by facilitating the use of muscles in the legs, buttocks and core. They feature a unique insert and a curved rocker bottom that supposedly simulates the sensation of walking barefoot on a sandy beach. The resulting instability, according to the shoe’s boosters, forces you to use muscles you ordinarily do not, leading to weight loss and toned muscles. The manufacturers also maintain that the shoes change your posture and gait and take pressure off achy, overused joints.
However, little data exist that evaluates whether these shoes live up to their hype. A study released in 2010 by the American Council on Exercise showed that the most popular toning shoes do not help you exercise more intensely, burn more calories or improve your muscle strength and tone.
Each person is unique in his or her pattern of movement, body alignment, exercise habits and body type. Your best approach to walking safely and effectively—whether or not you wear toning shoes—is to have a physical therapist suggest stretching exercises to improve flexibility and balance while reducing the risk of muscle strains. We can design a walking program that corrects improper movement and balance. Such a program can improve your range-of-motion, flexibility, posture, strength, balance and coordination, and relieve your pain.
No matter what shoes you wear, we can assess your individual needs and preferences. Under our expert guidance, you can engage in a robust walking routine that is both safe and effective.