When I first visited England a few years ago, I saw these really weird shoes in a trendy shoe store. Supposedly, they helped shape up your leg muscles and improved posture. And they kind of reminded me of that fabulous 1970s trend, the Earth Shoe:
I can clearly remember seeing that ad in magazines as a kid. And I know everyone had a pair of those ones on the right. But the point of them was, they had what was called a “negative heel” that was meant to simulate walking on soft sand. And that’s the same principle behind the strange shoes I saw in England a few years ago. Turns out they were MBTs, which is an acronym for Masai Barefoot Technology, which also function on the same basic principle, although MBT calls it “the anti shoe” instead of ‘negative heel’ (which is now a patented phrase of the re-launched, up-to-date Earth Footwear Inc.).
I really, really wanted some of these shoes, but I didn’t really like the £175 price tag, so I took a pass. Sometime later I found them here in Canada, but at $299, they weren’t that much more attainable in my shoewear budget. Oh well, I suppose I really could live without shoes that claimed to shape up your calves and butt by creating a rocking motion caused by their curved soles.
But then! Oh, happy day! I was browsing the local shoe store and I saw that Sketchers had come out with their Shape-ups line of shoes, shaped just like the MBTs, but boasting a price tag of only $145. Still not cheap, but significantly less than MBTs and well within reason for a quality athletic shoe. So, yesterday I bought a pair:
Now, you might think I’m off my rocker (in fact, many do) but I actually noticed that I was working while wearing these shoes. My gait felt slightly unstable with the rocking motion and I had to work to prevent myself from pronating. I walked to my kids’ school and back (about a 7 minute jaunt) and I noticed my legs (specifically my hamstrings and calves) working, and I was actually slightly winded. Now that’s about as much wear as I’ve gotten out of them because it FREAKIN’ WELL SNOWED YESTERDAY EVENING (a full on blizzard with thunder – yes, thunder) so we’re back to snow boots for a few days at least. But I’m really looking forward to getting out and giving them a good try when the snow clears.
So…off my rocker or not, I like my new shoes! But I don’t think I’ll be wearing them to my first “Learn to Run” class tonight at the Running Room. Talk about off my rocker…who convinced me to sign up for THAT???
Awesome..I have been wondering if these shoes really “work”..may just have to invest in a pair. Keep us updated.
The Running Room Programs are great, I started at a Learn to Run for Women and now have progressed to my 1st Half-Marathon clinic – You’ll love it!!!
My daughter has a pair of Sketchers she asked for a pair for Christmas. I then was in Payless a few weeks ago and they have their brand (Champion) for $49, so I bought her a pair of those as I thought wow a third of the price. The following week, I went to Walmart only to discover theirs were only $27. Boy was I ticked off.
She does like them and although I am not sure if they have helped her or not as she tends to walk in on her heels, she does wear them constantly. She does not wear them while exercising and I don’t think she watched the dvd, but if they help her in her effort to get in shape, I guess they were worth the money. It looks to me like she has to toss them now though as she is really walking inward and this can’t be good. I would have hoped for that price they would have lasted longer then 4 months though.
Sara, OMG – $29…I wish I knew! The Sketchers came with a DVD, too (have yet to watch it) but I would think the secret is mostly in the rocking motion, so no reason a pair of Wal-Mart shoes can’t accomplish that!
And to all, re: the Running Room…I already hate it and we haven’t even started yet. *SIGH*. I hate to sweat and get all short of breath. Yoga is more my speed, but we’ll see. I’m doing it with a friend so at least I’ll have someone to go out for a glass of wine with afterwards!!!
Running Room? Awesome! You’ll hate it but love how you feel. Have fun!
The shoes? Not sure. Being a big footed gal I think clunky shoes like that may be a mistake but the built-in workout sounds appealing. Keep me posted on what you think.
My best friend swears by those Sketchers!
Like you, she said they make her feel slightly off balance-like she working her legs and her core to help stabilize.
Can’t hurt right?
I love the Running Room programs- good for you!!
Kath – I saw a woman at my coffee shop sporting a pair…she got them at WALMART for $29 – and I swear they look the same, boast the same benefits!
My dad and step mom bought a pair of the uber pricey ones and they came with an instructional dvd!!!
And the learn to run is awesome – I started it but got sidetracked…good luck!