Do Shape Ups Work? – Definitely Not A Miracle Walking Shoe, But Maybe The Right Amount Of Motivation!
Of course, Sketchers would like you to believe that by strapping on a pair of their fitness shoes that you are going to be well on your way to a toned, firm and nicely formed butt. With all of the claims and hype, it’s hard not to ask, do Shape Ups work? I think it’s safe to say that not too many out there believe wholeheartedly everything they’re told about these “miracle” shoes.
According to About.com, the average American takes about 5,200 – 8,200 steps per day, but in order to maintain weight, Dr. Tudor-Locke suggests that one should add another 2,000 – 3,000 steps a day. Personally, I would go another route instead of adding steps to my daily routine. How about a fartlek training workout or even a fun jump rope workout routine!
Taking into consideration every step we take to and from the copy machine, in the grocery store, around the house and so on, we do take a lot of steps every day. The creators of the Sketchers Shape-Ups knew this and decided to capitalize on the fact that the majority of people simply don’t get enough exercise.
Claims About The Sketchers Shape Ups
Here are some of the selling points that the Sketchers website highlights:
- Benefits: Designed to help burn calories and turn everyday activities into a workout.
- Straight and Tall: Proper use of Shape-ups may help your body appear taller and improve your posture.
- Lean and Long-Lasting: Continuous use Shape-ups of footwear may help burn calories and improve cardiovascular health, which should result in a leaner you and improved coordination, stamina and metabolism.
- Toner Muscles: Shape-ups may help activate and strengthen muscles typically underused in daily activity – potentially resulting in a stronger back, firmer legs and tighter abdomen.
- Easier on Joints and the Back: Shape-ups may help reduce pressure on joints by providing a more natural, forgiving walking surface.
- Technology: Shape-ups feature a unique soft Resamax™ kinetic wedge insert and dynamic rolling bottom to simulate walking on soft sand. This may result in stronger, leg, and buttock muscles.
But What Are Other People Saying?
WebMD.com considered the answer to “Do Shape Ups Work?” Here is a quote from that page talking about possible benefits:
Walking in them is akin to exercising on a balance or wobble board in the gym or barefoot along a sandy beach. Advocates say that this instability forces you to use muscles that you otherwise would not — namely those in your feet, legs, butt, and abs — which could lead to weight loss.
Here is a quote made after stating that after a case study, participants did not burn a significantly greater amount of calories:
That said, “If these shoes are serving as a motivator for individuals to walk or get moving more often, that is a good thing, even if they don’t produce the dramatic toning and calorie-burning results people think they are getting.” says Cedric X. Bryant, PhD.
As you may have guessed, the claims from Sketchers are most-likely over stated, but there can still be some good that comes from owning a pair. Since they are not cheap, you will make sure to use them. Since these shoes are quite irregular (and funny looking), they will be a bit of a challenge to walk correctly in — This is a good thing though! By maintaining proper form, you will be activating your core muscles.
How to Walk in Shape Ups
Believe it or not, there is actually a technique to how you should walk with these on.
- Step forward with one foot and make contact with the lowest part of the heel.
- Roll the foot forward from the heel towards the ball of the foot.
- As you step off of your back foot, make sure to roll your foot completely forward so that you toe is the last to contact the ground.
- Keeping your strides slightly shorter than your “normal” strides. Repeat step 1.
*Hold your back and neck straight and look forward without looking at the ground. Try not to exaggerate your steps or walking form.
Well, Do Shape Ups Work?
There doesn’t seem to be a “yes” or a “no” answer to the question. Do shape ups work as well as Sketchers would like you to believe — probably not! Do they work to motivate ones to get outside and walk, while improving posture and targeting muscles in your feet, legs, butt and abs that may not otherwise get targeted — actually they do.
*I am in no way telling you to go out and spend $100 on a new pair of shoes because they are miracle shoes and you will automatically get a nicely shaped bod. I personally don’t own a pair and don’t plan on getting any, but if you want to add some variation to your daily walk, and don’t mind forking out the dough, I don’t see any harm in doing so.
Do you already own a pair? I’d like to hear from you — Do Shape Ups Work?
If you’re ready to put your shape ups to use and really give yourself a challenge, checkout this interval training on treadmill workout — this will really help you melt some fat off. By doing the type of interval I outline on that page you can really skyrocket your body’s fat burning.
Also, there is the added benefit that you don’t have to do as much cardio training if you do it right. For more information on that take a look at this article about how much cardio you should do to lose weight.
Harlow
March 25, 2011 @ 7:35 pm
I think shape ups would work, or any shoe for that matter as long as the person actually uses them! I don’t own a pair, just have a regular old pair of Brooks runners and they’ve served me well so far! I guess the thing here is whatever motivates you, and if paying $100 for a pair of shoes makes you move more then you’ve gotten your money’s worth.
Kevin - Fitness B&W
March 26, 2011 @ 7:22 am
Hi Harlow,
Yeah, that’s pretty much where I stand on this too. It’s more about the motivation than the shoe. Thanks for stopping by!
Dave - Not Your Average Fitness Tips
April 1, 2011 @ 6:01 pm
Just another gimmick in my opinion. I guess some people are motivated to walk more but I can’t imagine this shoe actually strengthens or tones legs any better than walking barefoot. But if Kim Kardashian uses them, then they must be top notch, right!?
Kevin
May 24, 2011 @ 9:45 am
Uh, Dave, if Kim Kardashian uses Shape Ups then they must work. I don’t think that she would wear these shoes only for the money 😉
Crickett Hoffman
April 28, 2011 @ 5:06 pm
Wait a minute….we had something like this back in the 70s. Some sort of wavy, rolling sole that looked goofy and made you walk funny. I had a pair when I was in junior high. It was a trend that lasted one season.
Kevin
May 24, 2011 @ 9:44 am
Yeah, I’m actually surprised how long these have lasted!
Lindsay
May 16, 2011 @ 1:15 am
I’m extremely active and consider myself fit, so I didn’t pick up a pair of these shoes (actually, a much, much cheaper knock-off, feels the same as the “real thing”) to magically shape my legs, or. . . whatever. They’re definitely not a miracle product, but they do vastly reduce my knee pain when I’m working at my department store job. Anyway,thanks for sharing this.
Kevin
May 24, 2011 @ 9:43 am
I’ve actually heard the same from quite a few people that it makes their knees feel better. Then again, I’ve heard some say that it makes their knees hurt so I guess it’s different for everyone.
Christopher
February 26, 2012 @ 11:32 am
I bought some shape up sandals on clearance not to long ago. Though I did not realize there was any hype to them. I only bought them as they looked like descent sandals and they were on clearance for 15.99.
I have been walking for some time now so when I started walking in the shape up sandals I noticed what the article stated as the muscles that are not normally targeted did get worked. The first 3 days of use parts of my inner and outer thighs was a bit “sore” if you will (not bad though). After 3 weeks of use I noticed that I lost an additional 1/2 inch around my waist (whether or not that is due to the shape ups or the continued walking I don’t know).
So if you get these on clearance I say they are worth it. If it is strengthening muscles that do not normally get used then over time that is more calories that are burnt while working out and while resting as muscle burns more calories than fat!
JOANN R.M
May 5, 2012 @ 11:19 am
I for one love walking. I just recently got pregnant, and it’s so easy to gain weight. I found a pair of shapeup shoes at ross and decided to buy it to try something new, besides it was only $20. I cant really say that I lost any weight because i just started walking in the shoes 4 days ago, but it really does work muscles you dont normally workout. My thighs hurts, by the end of my walk, i’m walking back slower because my legs hurt. I still walk the same route as I did with my regular shoes, but I love the shapeup shoes it makes me motivated to walk everyday knowing i’m working different muscles.
Lisa Denning
June 16, 2011 @ 11:26 am
I bought these shoes and they do work. I noticed it’s more of a work out when I take my daily walks and I also have noticed that I am toning up more quickly.
Dylin
August 19, 2011 @ 7:29 am
Same Here!
Philip Shirk
June 21, 2011 @ 1:12 pm
I bought a pair of shape ups a few weeks ago and they definitely work! I started a diet and exercise regimen in April and started using the shoes when I hit my weight loss plateau. I can feel and see a difference in the firmness of my abdomen and buttocks. They were just what I needed to add a little extra burn to my daily power walk.
Kate
July 14, 2011 @ 8:07 am
I’m thinking along the same lines as Harlow. If you’re more likely to wear these Shape Ups than a non-branded pair of running shoes, then I suppose it’s worth the investment. If that’s what drives you, then can it be such a bad thing?
John
July 31, 2011 @ 12:54 pm
I love mine! I have suffered with a lot of knee pain for several years and the shoes have really helped. My knees don’t hurt at all with the Shape-ups. My work-outs are much harder now. I can really feel a difference with these shoes. My posture is improving. I haven’t noticed any balance problems, and I walk a couple of miles every day over varying surfaces. I have lost weight again after being on a plateau for a while. So far I have seen no down side to them. The extra cushion in the heel really makes a difference in the amount of shock my joints have to endure! I am 67 yrs of age.
Kevin
August 1, 2011 @ 12:35 pm
Walking a couple miles everyday at 67 years of age … good job. It’s always motivating and inspiring to hear of ones keeping up their fitness level even into their 70’s, 80’s and beyond!
Nugzi
August 1, 2011 @ 12:12 pm
I wear non-slip shape ups from sketchers because I work in the restaurant industry. I noticed that after about 8 months of shifts, my caves are more strained and tighter. It took me about a week to get used to them because they do make you more conscience of your balance… maybe after a couple of years of shifts I may notice more of a dramatic difference but its gradual and subtle. Although I do get made fun of sometimes for wearing them I believe they definitely have some effect and I don’t regret buying them.
Kevin
August 1, 2011 @ 12:32 pm
Yes, you do run the risk of an occasional “remark” from wearing any type Shape Ups shoes. Thanks for comment Nugzi!
Alexander James
August 7, 2011 @ 1:54 am
I never believed in those footwear being able to slim up a person just by wearing them and walking around. Fitflop started that trend and it’s just something I refuse to believe. I don’t see the connection at all. Maybe because they’ll drive the person to walk around so much so it’s the walking that makes the person lose weight and not the wearing of shoes. Lol..
Matt McCullar
August 8, 2011 @ 12:27 am
Just wanted to drop by and say that I wear Shape Ups, and I’m a runner. I run about 2-3 hours every day, 7-8 on the weekends.
Ever since trying out the Shape Ups, I haven’t had any problems with my ankles hurting, and my shins have also felt the benefits of Shape ups as well. 🙂
bptr
May 17, 2012 @ 2:25 am
You run 7-8 hours on the weekend?? Are you Forrest Gump???
I hope you mean MILES!!
Athena
September 27, 2011 @ 8:07 am
I got a pair of these this weekend from the skechers outlet, they cost me about $25 and while the muscles involved in posture and walking think I’ve declared war, my ankles, knees, hips and lower back have never been happier. I’m a counter monkey and college student and spend 10+ hrs a day walking around, adding up to 3-5 miles. I walk everywhere. I have arthritis in my ankles and knees from many clumsy sports injuries and feel that if I can get the hang of walking g in them in reasonably short order, it can’t possibly be that difficult. Anyway, I dig these shoes, my knees have quit grinding when I climb stairs. That alone was worth the cost even if I’d paid two or three times what I did.
Caroline
October 3, 2011 @ 7:28 pm
I got these with an insurance package and although they sometimes look ridiculous they are super comfy and I can feel it more than walking barefoot. They probably won’t give me major results but they make me feel like I’m at least doing something and they will probably improve my bad back while doing so.
bptr
May 17, 2012 @ 2:12 am
I think that it is obviously a play on the fact that most women don’t actually do real workouts. They are conned into believing that counting calories and walking a lot around their office or restaurant or hospital, etc. on their everyday job will actually get them in shape. They are conned by overpriced women’s magazines who feed them nonsense fad diets while showing some hot woman in super shape (actually a professional athlete). Most women in America want a way to do next to nothing and get in great shape. The magazines and all the corporations know this and use them. Men know that you have to do actual workouts like running, swimming, weightlifting to get in shape, Women think that you can walk two blocks while chatting on a cell phone, or wait tables to get in shape.
These shoes just feed off of this stupidity.
bptr
May 17, 2012 @ 2:21 am
Just another example of corporate scammers making millions off of lazy stupid Americans.
Kaz Alblack
May 22, 2012 @ 1:10 pm
I accidentally bought a pair of this from Goodwill, just liking they were slip-resistant. I wore them for just a few days before noticing my calves were sore as if I’d spent most of the day walking. This is when I took a closer look and noticed they were Shape Ups. I honestly had never heard of them before. After several months of wearing them, not changing my daily routine, I started losing weight without making a single change to my diet. I started intentionally shopping more and taking longer walks in them and love them.
My ankles don’t hurt and I adjusted fast to the difference in the sole. They aren’t difficult to walk in and I’ve never had anyone remark on the difference in my stride. They’re normal shoes to me.