Thread: Shape-up Shoes? Anyone tried them?

So I came across an ad for these in my Parenting magazine. They look like they could either help you or put you in traction. Anyone tried them?
https://www.shapeupshoes.com/

Just had to say...they're cute & crack me up the way they look, even though I've not tried them.

I do have a pair of the Fit-Flops from Victoria's Secret & I like those a lot! I do feel like my calves get a bit of a workout with each step.

Originally Posted by KelsNasim

So I came across an ad for these in my Parenting magazine. They look like they could either help you or put you in traction. Anyone tried them?
https://www.shapeupshoes.com/

Wow, they look like a broken ankle waiting to happen!

My mom has two pairs of "Masai Barefoot Technology" shoes that she really loves. I've walked around in them a bit and they are comfy, and I can definitely feel my calves working more. I'd buy a pair myself if I could afford them. They're not scary-looking like those "Shape Up Shoes," though! That angle looks quite steep.

MBT Shoes – Home of the Anti shoe

Thanks... those definitely don't look as scary.

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cheap mbt shoes

Haven't tried them but I wonder how they would be for people with low-back issues? I know some lower back issues have to do with strengthening the core, but still, I wonder....w.:

Originally Posted by Lesgemini_Zafirah

I do have a pair of the Fit-Flops from Victoria's Secret & I like those a lot! I do feel like my calves get a bit of a workout with each step.

I've got some of these too and have to say I haven't noticed a thing in terms of my legs working harder in these as opposed to anything else.

I dunno, I don't like wearing stuff on my feet that make it hard to run in an emergency.

I'd be extremely skeptical of any exercise plan that claims to tone you without doing actual work. ("Too busy for the gym?" How do these shoes provide cardio benefits or upper-body strengthening?)

Considering that the American Podiatric Medical Association screams every summer that women are ruining their feet with flipflops that don't provide proper support and require you to walk with clenched toes and weird shuffling gaits, I'm not seeing the benefit from shoes that look as wacky as these. I know people who have good flexibility in their calves/heels and proper foot development (strong, functioning arches) can wear styles of shoes with ergonomically lowered heels or alternative footbeds, and they can be quite comfortable without harming the feet, but if you have a history of foot or ankle issues (tendons too tight or loose, bunions, flat arches, hammertoes, etc.), I'd suspect anything but a normal, stable, supportive shoe would be more likely to harm than help.

Supposedly, (I say this b/c I HAVEN'T tired them) they are designed to give you PROPER posture b/c the curve is in the middle of your foot which requires you to stand up straight, instead of leaning forward or backwards.
I don't see how this is used for exercise. Only slight toning of the legs and maybe buttocks.
This being said, my sister-in-law swears by them and wears them when she isn't in her work attire.

I'd wear them at home, but I'd be afraid of going up stairs in them...

Originally Posted by raniraqs

I'd wear them at home, but I'd be afraid of going up stairs in them...

My exact thought! Especialy my basement stairs, woaw!

Qamar

I have both MBTs (sandals and closed toe shoes) and a pair of shape-ups (sporty Mary Jane type). The shape ups are comparable to the MBTs at about 1/2 the price. I still like MBTs better. I don't think they "shape you up," but they are very nice on the knees (my weakness). There's extremely little impact to your knees as you walk and they make you hold your core in alignment (which is good for me because I have a sway back). They don't have an arch (MBTs, tiny arch on the shape ups) so your foot works harder to help build your arch (which was important for me because I have a collapsed metatarsal). I LOVE the MBT sandals especially, for all these reasons. The MBT sandals are well constructed, last years, and can take a lot of walking without a single blister, right out of the box. All of them are a bit dorky looking for me, but the comfort is well worth it! They save my feet for belly dance : 0 )