Wanted to post a link to an NPR report about toning shoes but can't because I don't have enough posts. But, just go to npr.org then search for toning shoes and you'll find it.

Here is a summary: The American Council on Exercise says there is "simply no evidence to support the claims that these shoes will help wearers exercise more intensely, burn more calories or improve muscle strength and tone." Skechers released three studies, which it says supports its claims that toning shoes work

And - Galati of ACE does concede that while toning shoes aren't magic, they might motivate people to walk and exercise more — and that can only be a good thing.

I bought the sketchers a few weeks ago and do feel the difference when I wear them. After wearing them for a few hours, my calves feel tighter. So,that is a plus. I also bought them for my morton's neuroma and it relieves the pressure on that part of my foot. I love to walk and before I bought the Shape Ups, I could only go for about one half hour before the pain was too much. Now I am able to walk for a few hours at a time. So, they are a good investment for me.

That's interesting about the benefit to the neuroma. I had a feeling they'd help but I only have ordinary shoe shops round about, no specialist ones, I always have the feeling that whatever condition I said I had, they'd tell me that the expensive shoes would help.

I'm getting a steroid injection in mine Thursday - 9 months' pain is long enough - and then I'll look at the Skechers again.

DH has a pair that he wears to work, and he loves them. He's on his feet all day long managing a restaurant, and no longer has foot, leg, back, butt, or hip pain. They've helped him much more than his custom fit inserts ever did.

From what I've seen, these shoes are good for comfort but I don't know if they actually tighten up your legs. Is it the same kind of theory as wearing high heels to tighten up your bum?

I doubt wearing them would make me look like the model in the commercial, but the power of advertising is horrible. I actually get the urge to buy them because I want to have a hot butt like that! But I know I won't ever look like that model, and she didn't get a butt like that from wearing them. She is most likely a fitness model and is paid to look that way.

I wish advertising would only show real before and after and not a 'this could be you' kind of commercial.

I bought the sketchers shape ups and they are okay comfy... I wouldn't say over the top..... but I also haven't worn them a whole lot to get use to them either..... honestly they kind of make me feel like frankenstein when I wear them and I already don't have "grace" in my walk so I often stumble in them.... I worry about twisting my ankle in them because its that bad. Anyway I've got um, they are paid for...... I've just gotta break down and use them! :)

They do work but so do the ones from AVON made by Curves and they only cost $30

My wife and I both have a pair.

The verdict - no difference for either of us in terms of tone or weight loss if we wear them during our normal activities.

BUT - my wife has very painful feet (large calluses that push into her nerves) and works on her feet all day. The Shape-Ups have made a BIG difference in her foot pain, and the back pain she'd sometimes get sometimes. The extra cushion and altered foot position really, really helps her, and when her feet act up, she's straight into the Shape-Ups.

I have some knee issues, and when my knee acts up, these can sometimes help. The altered walking pattern can make a difference.

The interesting thing is that her foot pain was often enough to keep her from walking or being active after work (walking the dog, for instance) , so they did sort of inadvertently help her to get more activity and therefore more calorie burn. Bu

Shape Up Shoes
 

Please be careful if you purchase these shoes....I have had them for about 8 mos and I now have an inflamed tendon in my knee because of the way these shoes caused me to walk. It is extremely painful and treatable but please consider this before you spend that much money. Please feel free to ask me any questions. Have a wonderful day! :hug:

I just got the ones from Avon (Curves)...size 11 and they fit perfect and are VERY comfortable.
I have a very hard time finding my size that really fit in Ladies athletic shoes..as for the shape up we will see..:carrot:

My office just moved to a new location that is 3 kilometers away from home, so I do the half hour trot back and forth every day. After a week of this I plunked down the money for a pair of Shape-Ups and I really feel that it's money well spent. I feel the burn more along the backs of my legs and these things are sooooo comfortable! I wear them all day long and my feet aren't tired at all.

My hardest day is Friday when I'm home cooking practically all day. My feet used to hurt so much by the end of the day, but with the Shape-Ups I feel like I can keep going.

Since I live in Israel and these shoes are imported I actually paid close to $140 dollars for them, not $90 or $100 that you would in the States, and in my opinion, they are still worth it!

:running::running::running::running::running:

I bought the Sketcher Tone-Ups sandals on sale at T J Maxx for under $30. I found them very comfortable, but don't notice any toning effects. They have a slightly less convex sole than the Shape-Ups, probably because they offer less stability being a sandal and are very open.

The less curved sole may be why I don't notice any toning.

I don't know if anyone has mentioned this, but walmart carries a knock-off brand for around $25. Sorry I can't remember the name. I've found that they are really good for any kind of jumping exercise. I wear them when I do exercise videos inside, and I never hurt my knees.

I bought a pair of Sketchers Shape-ups for work. They were the ones especially marked "for work", with slip-resistant soles. They are very comfortable and cushy - HOWEVER, I DO NOT RECOMMEND THEM IF YOU WORK AROUND A LOT OF WATER OR WET SURFACES. The squishy stuffing in the soles of mine got waterlogged and started falling apart within 6 weeks. Not cool, and the shoe store wouldn't let me return them. I tried contacting Sketchers customer service, and got nowhere with that.

If you want a similar shape-up shoe for work, check Shoes For Crews online. I hear good things about their shoes.

Besides that, they were very comfy, and when I had to do distance walking at work I could feel them working on my glutes and calves. I did lose about 35 lbs, but that was just as much due to having a very active job in a very hot, humid environment.

Also, I saw the Sketchers at Costco for about $60.
And I've been seeing them on sale at Meijer for around $79. Seems like they're coming down in price.

I bought mine in march. I was sore the next day and for awhile after. However I did make the mistake of buying them right before a vacation where I had to walk alot so my legs were killing me. I did notice that after I wore them a month or two that I had smaller love handles, tighter glutes ect. I wore them 5days a week to school where I did some walking and if I know I'm going to walk alot I'll wear them. They look new still, don't feel worn out at all so I'd say the quality is very good.