Does it Work? - Sketchers Shape Up Shoes - Anyone tried them?

I just saw a quick commercial on Sketchers Shape Up Shoes. They look like a regular walking shoe, only with a thicker (bouncy or springy?) sole. They cost over $100 so I thought I'd check to see what others thought before buying.

You can check them out at sketchers.com (I can't post links yet).

Here's an Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=skechers+shape+ups&tag=googhydr-20&index=shoes&hvadid=3487702397&ref=pd_sl_94a1ivwu4w_b

The whole premise behind these is that they make your walking inefficient, thus making your body burn more calories. It seems like they're gearing them more for walking shoes, and if so, they may help, but maybe not.

Out of curiosity, I clicked the link as I wanted to see what they look like.
I don't know - I would really hesitate to spend the $$ on them. I think I would prefer to keep my less efficient regular running shoes and some jogging instead (that is, if I didn't have plantar fasciitis). AND keep my money.

I also scrolled down and found ANTI-CELLULITE insoles.
http://www.amazon.com/SmartSole-55100-Anti-Cellulite-Insoles-Small/dp/B000DZC01E/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&s=shoes&qid=1249499849&sr=1-17
That sounds like a true snake oil to me. LOL

I'm so glad you posted about this. I saw an ad in People mag yesterday and meant to post later but forgot. I saw other companies with similar shoes at the expo before the Country Music Marathon (my sister ran the half). It's a neat concept but too much money and they just look silly to me

Curves makes a shoe alot like this sold through Avon for ALOT less. I bet they would work but probably cause muscle pain until your body adjusted to them.

...yeah they look silly! but i have been wondering the same things about them. I'm not convinced so I will be keeping my $$ for the time being!

I have to agree with everyone else, it's too pricey to try out. Especially sketchers, those used to be the cheaper shoes at the store. Did they go upscale when I wasn't looking?
A good pair of walking/running shoes will run you about that price and you know what your getting with them.
Sarah in MD

I was visiting Somni in the states last month, when I stumbled upon the Sketchers Shape Ups. I was rather hesitant at first, wondering if they were just a weird gimmick/fad, but after seeing them, we went home and looked up a bunch of reviews on them, and found that all of the reviews seemed pretty glowing. So, before I left, I went ahead and bought a pair.

I have to say that so far, I'm enjoying them a lot. They are very cushy to wear, comfy and give LOTS of padding when you walk. You do have to walk in a certain way in order to get the work out side of them, but I can walk naturally in them as well without any sort of problem, if I'm not looking for the muscle workout.

In fact, I spent 2.5 hours walking around in them yesterday as a friend and I went shopping and walking, and though I did quite often forget to walk in a manner that would work the muscles, when I did remember, I got a very nice calf workout. I didn't feel it so much in the butt, which they say in the ads the shoes are also supposed to work, but, I definitely felt it in my calves.

They don't make you walk funny or anything, or even inefficiently, its just a different motion with your foot, you kinda roll from the heel to the toe when you walk, which actually feels quite nice once you are used to it.

So, I am enjoying them so far! :)

(And as a side note, they are perfect when you want to bounce a baby on your knee. hehehe. Makes it kinda fun and much easier on the muscles. lol )

One thing I will say though, if you are thinking about buying them, you need to know that they run small. I normally where an 8.5 shoe, and my Sketcher Shape Ups are 9.5 and a tiny bit snug.

I'd love to hear about other people's experiences with these shoes!!

I wonder how this will affect your knee and hip joints in the long run, if your gait/stride is being affected...

Kira

I wonder how this will affect your knee and hip joints in the long run, if your gait/stride is being affected...

Kira

Kinda like heels ;)

But I wonder how much time the average person would actually spend in them anyway.

These are similar to MBT. MBT were designed from how a tribe in Africa walks barefoot. The way they walk works your core and that is what these shoes are supposed to do, work your core. I work with women who own MBT shoes and swear by them. One girls mom has 6 pair and at almost $200 a pair, that says something about them.

I've never worn heels, except going out to dinner when DH and I were dating 17 years ago. Never wore them as a teen. Never wore them in the workplace because I worked in sneakers (job requirement) or boots (job requirement) from the age of 18 onwards, and as a result, have nice straight feet and toes with no orthopedic issues whatsoever. I don't even own a pair of heels today -- only wear flats with dressy clothes, and since there's no $$ to go anywheres special, they'll do!!!

I'm glad for that, cause I have friends who spent years jamming their feet into heels and today are paying the price, orthopedically...

Kira

They had a shoe like this on the Rachel Ray show. It was a lot more expensive than the Skechers shoe. They had a regular person try it out for a couple of weeks and they said it worked. It really helped them tone up their legs. My chiropractor even wear them so it must not mess with your back or hips.

I just got the MBTs. I am wearing them today after a week debating on whether to return them because of the cost. I got some silicone spray to protect them and put them on. I can feel the workout. I can also say my back feels better!

Im telling you- this is going to make it onto a VH1 show one day - " I love the 00'S"

I went to Kmart and bought Therashoes. They are 34.99. I think the address is http://www.therashoes.com I bought them last week and wore them for my 7 mile walk and o my were my legs SORE the next day. Right now they are buy one get one half off. They are VERY comfortable the most comfortable shoe I have EVER worn BUT you WILL have muscle soreness if you don't allow yourself time to adjust. Therashoes also have a knockoff of the Fitflops at the Big K and they are currently 9.99 and they are also buy one get one half off. Make sure you try them on as they the sneakers tend to run small.

Corrected link http://www.therashoe.com

I shoulda known there'd be knockoffs!

BTW, the link is actually therashoe.com

this sorta reminds me of the slim slippers thing, lol. i think its based on the fact that walking on your toes strengthens legs over a long period. my son had surgery last year for heel cord problems. while walking almost completely on his toes for 5 straight years did indeed make his legs SOLID muscle, i doubt wearing these shoes for a few hours a day would do much.

Im telling you- this is going to make it onto a VH1 show one day - " I love the 00'S"
....along with the snuggie blanket!

My daughter is also a toe walker. Has very strong legs toned like a dancers and just turned 11 yesterday. I am very concerned as my sister in law has a friend that's child also had to have surgery because of this. I wonder if this type of shoe would prevent this problem as it has a rocker sole.
BTW,I got Fitflops last summer and wore them all the time. My legs went from 27 inches 24 just during the summer I wore them. Note that I walk ALOT and at a fast pace. I was suprised at the extreme soreness in my legs and stomach after wearing the Therashoes as I am used to walking alot. My upper legs now measure 22 inches but I feel that is due to all the racewalking I do. I do feel that the shoes give me an extra kick as do another shoe I wear sometimes called Metatreks.

My daughter is also a toe walker. Has very strong legs toned like a dancers and just turned 11 yesterday. I am very concerned as my sister in law has a friend that's child also had to have surgery because of this. I wonder if this type of shoe would prevent this problem as it has a rocker sole.
BTW,I got Fitflops last summer and wore them all the time. My legs went from 27 inches 24 just during the summer I wore them. Note that I walk ALOT and at a fast pace. I was suprised at the extreme soreness in my legs and stomach after wearing the Therashoes as I am used to walking alot. My upper legs now measure 22 inches but I feel that is due to all the racewalking I do. I do feel that the shoes give me an extra kick as do another shoe I wear sometimes called Metatreks.

maybe in mild cases something like this could help, but with my son it was quite pronounced. we tried physical therapy and also having him walk in braces, his heel cords were simply too tight! he eventually had the surgery to correct the problem and ever since then he's off his toes. your friends child should be just fine, mine doesnt even have a scar.

I have a pair of the Fit Flops and I really like the way they make my legs feel. I just hate the way the "thong" part rubs my toes. That is a main reason I don't like flipflops.

I might have to check on those shoes from Kmart. Those remind me of the ones from Curves that are sold from Avon.

I really hate buying shoes that hurt my feet. Maybe this well be the ticket for me.

mgf~:flow1:

Did your child's doctor explain why children toe walk? Is it simply a bad habit they fall into?

Mygirlfriday,
They are alot like the Avon curve,and MBT shoes. Everyone has been telling me how much they like my new shoes. BTW,I bought a size 7 men which would mean they would be a 9 women's there is no way I wear a 9 womens. Try them on in the store and walk around in them. That is what I did. I liked them so much I wore them to the register they were THAT comfortable. I did not want to take them off. If you click on the link you can see the ones I bought. I got the suede ones. They look really sharp. I then went back and bought the navy blue striped shoe. These are leather shoes and nicely made I might add and way less then the cost of other shoes that are similar. If you walk as much as I do it might be worth it to snatch up to pair while they are on sale buy one get one half off. My sneaks last a long time because I always alternate pairs.BTW,you can also get these at Sears.

Thanks for the info Lynna!! I might hold off until they have the BOGO sale! Pick up a couple of pair. :carrot:

mgf~:flow1:

I have had my Sketchers for about a month. Don't know if they actuaaly do anything but I love them and think they look cool. but I am 51 ,so what do I know about cool?

Did your child's doctor explain why children toe walk? Is it simply a bad habit they fall into?


with him it was actually that the heel cord (which runs from the bottom of your foot all the way up the back of your leg) was simply too tight. it pulled, so he would go up on his toes to compensate. the surgery they do for that is to go in and cut a notch out to give it a little more elasticity. it was an outpatient procedure and then he wore casts for 6 weeks. for us, it was the last solution and it worked WONDERFULLY!

I've heard of these, I never wear tennis shoes so I wouldn't buy them but I do own a similar product, Fit Flops sandals, that I LOVE. I originally bought them because they are crazy comfy, but the claims of cellulite reduction and more toned legs was actually true! I wear them almost all the time (unless I'm going somewhere formal) and within 2 weeks, I actually did see a reduction in cellulite on the back of my legs. Of course, I exercise and eat right also (these are not magic weight loss shoes!) but I didn't change anything else in my program at the time I started wearing these, so I can only assume that it's the shoes that made the difference.

I've had my TheraShoes for almost a week & I loooove them :)

What color therashoe did you buy? Are you exercising in them?I just went and bought black.

Mine are white with pink trim.

I haven't done my workouts in them.... kinda nervous. Although I do mine barefoot now. I don't think I'd to aerobic type in them because of the injury potential however I do see them being beneficial for toning/weights.

I would not do aerobics in them either. Esp step aerobics however racewalking in them is great.

Does anyone know anything about Plantar Fasciitis? And if so, would any of the shoes mentioned in the previous posts work to reduce foot/heel pain caused by PF???

This article from CNN might be of help

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/08/12/shoes.fitness/index.html?iref=newssearch

They basically say the shoes don't work. :shrug:

Does anyone know anything about Plantar Fasciitis? And if so, would any of the shoes mentioned in the previous posts work to reduce foot/heel pain caused by PF???

I've had a lot of problems with this myself, and bought a pair of Crocs Cloud, which are from their "medical" line of crocs, designed by podiatrists. My feet have never felt better! I also bought the Crocs Relief which are recommended for PF but I prefer the Cloud.

I used Shape Ups, not for weight loss but because they correct your posture and ensure that when I walk I am walking correctly.

I have major back issues and they are fantactic for this, I was recommended to get MBTs but Shape Ups are so much more affordable

The trail that I use for my walks is a "gravel" trail. It is made of crushed asphalt pieces and they are very sharp. Can someone who has the therashoes or the skechers tell me if they think the soles would be able to handle this please? I've already destroyed a couple pairs of shoes on this trail, so right now I am using cheap ($20) walking shoes from wal-mart because I don't want to tear up anything that cost much.

The soles on the Therashoes hold up VERY well. I bought 2 pair and alternate them as is a good thing to do with all workout shoes. They are also only 34.99 and when Kmart has the special sale buy 1 get one half off is an excellent time to get them. My legs have really toned up since wearing them. I have lose an extra inch in a month and a half of wearing them but note I also walk ALOT.

I think the therashoes would hold up great. They soles are very thick.

This past month I've lost two inches around my thighs, 1/2 inch around my knees and another 1/2 inch on my calves. I think it's the shoes. I've lost a little bit everywhere else too, but TWO inches on my thighs is far & above my expectations.

Liz,

I also believe its the shoes as last year wearing fitflops and NOT changing my diet I lost THREE inches on my upper legs and this year wearing Therashoes I lost an inch over the past month and a half. I have also dropped an entire pants size. Despite what some news sources may say I KNOW they work for ME.

I bought a pair last week while in Las Vegas on vacation. My heel has been KILLIng me since late July and I didn't know how I was going to get around much longer. My tennies were NO help. A friend had had these on earlier in the trip and loved them; made her back problems a lot better.

I went and tried them on and instantly the pressure on my heel was relieved. I had to go to THREE stores to get the style/size I needed and finally just settled on the black/white ones as I knew I wouldn't last much longer on my feet.

They are WONDERFUL to walk on. I can't testify to shaping me up since it's only been a week, but wow, I can move and without constantly feeling like I just want to sob....

I don't know that i want the whole collection, but in a few weeks if I'ms till as happy, I'm off to buy a white mesh pair with some cool stripes!!

I might give these a shot - thanks for all of the reviews! My podiatrist actually suggested I wear heels to help relieve plantar fascitis...but because of the shape of my feet, 'normal' heels typically fly right off of my feet when I walk. Thanks, again!!

this sorta reminds me of the slim slippers thing, lol. i think its based on the fact that walking on your toes strengthens legs over a long period. my son had surgery last year for heel cord problems. while walking almost completely on his toes for 5 straight years did indeed make his legs SOLID muscle, i doubt wearing these shoes for a few hours a day would do much.

My grandson walks on his toes. His father also does. Could you please give me more info on the heel cord problems. I would like to show this to my daughter.

On a side note I bought Shape Ups and love them! While walking in them takes a couple minutes to get use to. I was able to wear them shopping the day after Christmas with no problems even on the ice! I felt it more in my upper thigh area. I plan on wearing this do my WATP dvds.

They work for me. They're as ugly as all get out, but they work for me. I posted a pic in another thread.

I just got mine & must add that they are very cushiony & comfortable, I do the Sansone walk away the pounds & oh my I can definitely tell my exertion level picked up during my workout over doing the workout w/regular shoes. After sitting down I can feel the tightness in my legs & actually felt my butt getting more of a work out as well plus my feet are not hurting like they used to as i'm very heavy.

Just wanted to add I got mine at glensoutdoors.com for 74.99 & i'm more than happy to share my coupon code for 10% off good till 12/25/10, don't know if it's good for more than 1 use or unlimited. Code: mycard10

I bought a pair in November and I love them. They are so comfortable. I am on my feet a lot during the day and my sister is an R.N. I bought them when I asked her what all the nurses were wearing these days. Nurses always know the most comfortable shoes.

I wear them everyday and have not noticed my gait being different. I am not sure if they make a difference shape wise, but they do keep me from sore feet at the end of the day. They are like walking on cushion all day.;)

I got the Therashoe boots from Kmart for 29.99.
I love them! First day I felt it in my calves, second day calves and hips, and by the third day I could feel them working my stomach muscles! I only walk about a mile, mile and a half throughout the day. Can't wait to try them on a continuous walking spree!

I have the FitFlops. I've had them over a year, I bought them because I am a BIG flipflop wearer, and wear them pretty much year round unless there is ice or snow outside. They're very comfortable, but I didn't wear them very often because, well, they are sort of ugly(I got the black ones, looking back I probably would have been more happy with a different color). A few months ago, my normal flipflops started wearing out so I was forced to wear the FitFlops more. I've noticed that when walking slowly, I can't feel a difference. But after walking very fast, like while crossing a large store, I could actually feel the burn in my leg a bit--there was no pain or discomfort, but my leg felt like it had gotten a workout for sure.

I've always wished they had a decent covered shoe I could wear to work(I need white, sneaker type shoes), but at the time, last year, they didn't. So when I saw all these articles for the Skechers and all the good reviews, I was about ready to buy a pair when I found *this* article mentioning the Therashoes. I went to Kmart and tried them on.

I had a gift card to Kmart that I'd forgotten to bring with me, so I returned home and ordered them online, plus a pair of the flipflop version(because they look identical to my FitFlops, but they're in white and they were $9.99! I'll let you know how they work out when I get them. :) I ordered the white clog-version. They're less ugly than the sneaker-version. But who knows, if I like them, I may get the sneaker type too.

I bought the Therashoes from Kmart in November 2009 for $29.99 they were having the buy one get one half off sale but my husband wouldn't allow me to get another pair. I have to say that since I have been using these shoes they have really toned up my legs and my bum is more perky.My hubby even commented on my new found "toneness" which is amazing. I do wish that I had bought a different color. I got the all black ones and they look too much like orthotic (sp?) shoes. I would recommend these to anyone.

I bought the Therashoe and wore them around Costco and I didn't notice a difference at all. I've since wore them twice more. Not for long walks but still didn't feel anything. I attempted to wear them while doing the WATP DVD this morning and my thighs were killing me in the first 3 minutes. So much so that I had to take them off.

i got the sketchers for my birthday this year (from my boyfriend-- he really knows me, haha. i saw them on tv and went... oooooh coooollllll) and have worn them twice. they do most definitely activate some unused muscles in my legs and caused a lot of soreness the day after wearing them, but not in a terribly bad way--more like in a "oomf, didnt know i had a muscle there" way. i will be wearing them again this weekend for a day out with my mother. they are super comfy, you get this squishy moon-shoe feeling which i like. :)

overall so far i say they work, to what end they will help in my overall fitness i dont know but i do like them! i would probably go for the reebok-avon-kmart cheaper version if i was purchasing them myself though because they are pretty expensive.

hope this helps if anyone is considering trying shoes like this out!

I bought a pair about a week ago, and so far I LOVE them!
The boot version is actually really cute and provides more ankle support (which I have a problem with). Besides, the Sketchers outlet had the boots on sale for $75, which is what you would pay for a normal pair of shoes. They were a bit pricey, but they were my christmas present to myself :D

I can REALLY feel it when I go on my daily walk, so I think they are working. My knee (which I am in PT for, due to a work-related falling down stairs injury) doesn't seem to hurt more than usual. And yesterday I stood in line a the local courthouse for THREE AND A HALF HOURS (I was pissed!) in them with no trouble at all (aside from the fact that it took me all bloody day to take care of a fix-it ticket!)

Wanted to let everyone know Danskin now has their own version. It sells at Walmart for 24.99. It is very lightweight and comfortable. My Therashoes weight more. The first pair of Danskins I had busted some threads on the side figured it must be a fluke so returned them for another pair which are holding up much better. I do feel the Therashoes are made better and hold up VERY well.They have black and white in Danskin shoes and are made of recycled materials.

It was recommended by my foot doctor (after treatment for plantar's fascitis, tarsal tunnel and achilles tendonitis) that I wear ZCoils (http://zcoil.com) but they are $2-300 a pair. I saw a woman at Disney wearing them (when I had to buy the scooter ar $35/day to rent) and she said she was literally crippled, got these, and can walk again.

I wonder if these might help me do the same thing, for less. And I think the sketchers ones are less ugly!

Z-coils add more of a bounce to your step. The Sketchers,Therashoes,curves,and now Danskins just make your feet roll forward in a smooth motion and they are VERY comfortable. I think the Therashoes that sell at Kmart were developed by foot doctors. I know I LOVE mine and also the danskins. I have read reviews where people that have had problems with their feet have stated that these types of shoes withe the curved bottoms have been VERY helpful to them.

THANK YOU THANK YOU to those of you that recommended the THERASHOES!!!
Between your recommendations and a clients I decided to try the cheaper route first.

I love them. I stand a lot and have degenerating disks. They are wonderful. I feel them a tiny bit in my calves and butt but after wearing them 2 days my abs really smart! Since I've done no exercise besides walking it has to be the shoes. The lady at KMART told me if I want more to go to their website. They are less there.

It was recommended by my foot doctor (after treatment for plantar's fascitis, tarsal tunnel and achilles tendonitis) that I wear ZCoils (http://zcoil.com) but they are $2-300 a pair. I saw a woman at Disney wearing them (when I had to buy the scooter ar $35/day to rent) and she said she was literally crippled, got these, and can walk again.

I wonder if these might help me do the same thing, for less. And I think the sketchers ones are less ugly!

My podiatrist actually recommended these (Sketchers) after my treatment for planter's fascitis and achilles tendonitis. He said at a minimum he would recommend I wear these around the house. I have had them since December and really like them.

I have had the Sketchers for several months but only wear them for long shopping trips. They do run at least a 1/2 size small so try them on in a store before ordering them online. I have had problems with foot and heel pain and good expensive walking shoes didn't help. These were so comfortable that I didn't want to take them off in the store. They say you need to walk a while to get used to the feel of them. It took me about a minute.
I haven't worn them frequently enough to tone but did notice some muscle soreness in the back of my thighs after wearing them all afternoon at the Mall. I bought a white pair with silver accents as my plan was to wear them in the summer, but now I want to get a darker color to wear while walking during lunch breaks at work.

Hey There. I got these shoes and let me tell you i walk around 8 hrs a day at work constantly and these shoes not only have helps my legs and butt get alot more tone and trust me that is true. But my lower back isn't in pain at all when i get off work like it use to be.
I think the shoes are ugly but the comfort and what they have done for my legs and butt are awesome. I definitly would recommend these!!!!

Ok just wanted to give everyone a heads up Dr Scholls now also has their own version of these.

I have been wearing the Ryka ones I ordered off of QVC and I really like them. Ryka are shoes designed just for women with our lower center of gravity. They were less than half the price of the Sketchers.:D

Just wanted to add my voice to the growing chorus of compliments on the Therashoes. I have incredibly flat feet and always end up with shin splints no matter how much I stretch, but I bought a pair of these yesterday and went walking for 2 miles--no shin splints. I went again today for 3 miles, and not only does nothing hurt, but I really can feel my thighs and abs being worked. I'm sure that they do work calves, but mine are massive and it takes quite a bit to get them burning.

Best thirty-five bucks I've spent in a long, long time.

Hi I just joined this group after seeing this post. I have a pair of shape ups.
I had not heard anything about them and didn't buy them because of the claims they make. I bought them because I have plantar faciitis. I have spent literally thousands of dollars on different ways to treat it and nothing has worked. Now I just have to try and find whatever helps to ease the pain and make my day more comfortable. I have a cafe with my hubby and due to the pain have only been working 2-3 days a week. I bought my shape ups thinking they were extremely comfortable. Sounds corny I know..but they have changed my life! I have had them since Nov and I can work and even take my dogs for a walk! I don't know if they help to shape up or loose weight, but if you have any foot problems they are worth every penny.
Just my experience, hope this helps.