Functional fitness footwear is one of the most popular trends of the day. You’ve seen the ads. Reebok, Skechers, Trim Treads and a few other brands have designed a variety of shoes meant to get you fitter faster. Some commercials and ads for these products even give the impression that simply wearing the shoes while you go about your business is all you need to do! Hopefully you understand that nothing can replace your regular total body workouts, and the most effective way to lose weight is by managing your caloric intake. But these shoes are unique and I’ve been asked at least a million times if they really work. As a result, I sought out a few to try and answer that question.
Reebok EasyTone: First of all, I found these shoes really comfortable and generally pretty – not unusual at all. The shoe does however, have what looks like baby BOSUs on the heel and forefoot of the shoe which they call “balance pods”. It’s clever. When wearing the EasyTones, I had to continually adjust to maintain my balance, so I think they would be great for someone who wants to work on foot, ankle and hip stability. I didn’t however, find them physically challenging other than that. Can I argue with Reebok’s exact research that claims the shoe “works your glutes 28%, hamstrings 11% and calves 11% more than the average shoe”? No … I haven’t done that kind of research.
Bottom Line:Reebok EasyTone shoes would be a good choice for anyone who wants to add a bit of balance training to their workouts.
Bottom Line: These shoes are ideal for the unfit crowd who can focus and take time while wearing them. The styles and colors are varied, so there are casual versions appropriate for regular life activities. Not a super choice for the highly fit and active group though.
Bottom Line: Trim Treads are a legitimate fitness training tool and should be worn as such. Don’t plan to walk the mall or attend the PTA meeting in them. They’re weird to look at, but if you put them on for 30 minutes each day you’re sure to see a difference in your leg strength and stability.
**Photos provided by Reebook, Skechers and Trim Treads respectively.
One Comment