ATHLETE’S FOOT: IT’S NOT WHAT YOU WEAR BUT WHAT YOU DO

To the consumers who purchased a pair of Skechers “toning” sneakers in the past, here’s some bad news and good news for you:

Bad news: this footwear – like similar shoes manufactured by other companies – does not live up to its dubious promise of firming up butts, legs, calves, and abs “without setting a foot in a gym.” The good news is that Skechers will now pay $40 million in partial refunds to duped customers. This is a relatively new development, but sports and Beaufort fitness experts have been warning consumers for a while that there is no credible evidence supporting manufacturers’ claims that this kind of overpriced footwear will help wearers exercise more intensely, burn more calories or improve muscle strength and tone.

In fact, Beaufort personal trainers and experts point out that because of some special design features on these sneakers, such as rounded soles, people with balance problems can be at risk of falling down while walking or running. Be suspicious of any advertisement that makes unrealistic claims about ‘miraculous’ properties of athletic shoes or any other piece of fitness equipment. And another thing – just because you have given “toning” sneakers the boot, doesn’t mean that you should give up on your dream of having a firm and toned body.

Realistically speaking, the only way of achieving those results are specific workouts combined with a calorie-restricted, whole foods diet. At EarthFIT, we suggest exercises that will improve your overall tone and firmness, regardless of what kind of shoes you are wearing. These include:

These are just a few examples of many different exercises that challenge all the major muscle groups, toning and firming them more effectively than any shoe – or any other gimmick, for that matter – ever could. As always, make sure that you warm up and use proper form. If you’re unsure of what that means, consult a Beaufort fitness expert.