Reebok–remember that brand?–recently came out with its new EasyTone sneakers. These women’s shoes are built to tone and firm your bottom while you walk. WalletPop has a good analysis of what’s behind the butt-firming EasyTone:
These sneakers apparently build your body 12 different ways, just like Wonderbread. Reebok claims these sneakers provide 28 percent more gluteus maximus muscle activation, and 11% more calf and hamstring activation.
Reebok’s site explains that “DMX technology” and “balance pods” are the key. “Air travels between the forefoot and heel pod, creating super soft cushioning. The moving air creates a natural instability and forces your muscles to adapt to the air volume within the pods.”
Okay, here’s what I think they’re saying: The reason these sneakers give you a better workout is because they throw you off-balance and make it more difficult to walk in them.
(Reebok also claims that) “due to the instability of the balance pods, activities with unplanned side-to-side movement and/or any lateral-movement-sports such as tennis or basketball-should be avoided.”
Okay, so they work, as long as you don’t really exercise. This sounds like yet another fad shortcut to losing weight while expending little extra effort.
The idea that shoes can help tone you is in fact gaining traction among footwear manufacturers. The Wall Street Journal has more on the physiology behind “physiological footwear”:
Unlike traditional athletic shoes that are built to be stable, rocker-sole shoes are deliberately unstable. The effect, companies that make the shoes say, is similar to using a wobble board or balance board in a gym. To stand or walk in these shoes, you must engage more muscles than you do using regular shoes, the companies say. Manufacturers recommend you wear them during your normal activities, starting with short periods until you get used to them.
Reebok commissioned a study from the University of Delaware, which tested five women on a treadmill with electronic sensors on their muscles. Electrical activity in the butt muscles—representing muscle movement—was 28% greater for the EasyTone shoes than for a typical Reebok walking shoe used as a control. Electrical activity was 11% greater for the hamstring and calf muscles while wearing the EasyTones.
The test involved only 500 steps, and Reebok acknowledges that the effect may diminish as wearers get used to the shoes.
Studies done on the Masai, the first physiological shoe to hit markets, show that physical therapy patients given Masai shoes for three months recovered faster than their non-Masai-wearing counterparts. The shoes strengthened the small muscles around the ankles, and their weight helped wearers burn more calories, according to the WSJ article.
Reebok’s EasyTone shoes, on the other hand, are lighter. They also have only one study supporting that they strengthen muscles.
Reebok EasyTones, as well as the other physiological shoes on the market, strike me as yet another something-for-nothing fitness fad. By simply wearing the shoes, you firm up your glutes. I see this eventually going the direction of fads like the Atkins Diet and ankle weights (remember those?). Physiological footwear may have a permanent place in a niche market, but it’s not going to revolutionize female American butts. Only squats, lunges, and fewer donuts will accomplish that.
i like the design and benefits. It’s a perfect gift for Christmas, isn’t it?
The shoes aren’t supposed to help you lose weight and never claim to in advertisements, and they are specifically WALKING shoes, so it’s perfectly reasonable for Reebok to suggest you avoid SPORTS. You wouldn’t wear basketball shoes to go walking, would you?
And even if the technology behind it is “bogus”, a lot of women would feel compelled to walk more, which DOES help in overall fitness, and that’s kinda what the whole goal is. If people need to spend money to get the psychological encouragement, let them be. Better than them not having the motivation at all.
i bought these shoes and didnt know anything about them. I did use them right after i got them at the gym on the aliptical(?) the back of my foot has bothered me. its a pain right on the side of the foot by the ankle. my side of the foot is really swollen. Just wondering if anyone else has had this ailment.
I know they are a lot more expensive, but I absolutely love my Ryn shoes. They are almost hard to wear for over an hour but you get used to them and strengthened and toned in my case, BUT they are very exclusive and still hard to find —– you can find out more about Ryn Shoes by joing their facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/Ryn.Shoes or their website at http://www.rynfootwearusa.com/ or at http://www.blissworld.com/category/brands/ryn+footwear.do They are even FDA approved.
If a shoe makes you feel better, and makes you want to walk or exercise more – I’m all for it. Choose your weapon, have fun and walk.
We are an obese nation, and the health care costs associated with obesity are staggering. So pick the shoe that makes you feel the best and GET MOVING! Reebok, MBT, RYN, Z-CoiL are all great brands. But they won’t magically make you lose weight.
I lost 65 pounds wearing Z-CoiL shoes. It wasn’t because they magically burned of the pounds. It was because my knees and ankles didn’t hurt anymore. Walking became enjoyable again, and I got busy moving because it was fun to move again. Now I wear Z-CoiLs, MBTs and RYNs. My feet like the variety of feelings I experience in all 3 shoes.
I wrote a review comparing MBT & RYN shoes:
http://www.totalrelieffootwear.com/ryn-vs-mbt-comparison
I will be writing other reviews in the months to come. I’m not into pitting one brand against another. Rather, I want to share the “feeling” of the shoes.
I believe shoes can be compared to cars. Each one “drives” differently. I will report on my experience “test driving” each shoe.
I really wanted easytones as my one and only christmas gift. After I read the article, I almost decided not to purchase them.. until I read AM’s response. I agree; if these shoes encourage women like me to get out there and walk, kudos! It works for me.
) If these shoes are just a little “psychological encouragement” I still want them.
OK..so I get all the cutsey although transparent commentary on these shoes…the problem I have is with the logic used…or lack of it. If I lift a 5 pound weight….many times…I’ll get sore. Eventually however…the muscles get STRONGER and that 5 pound weight will not make my muscle any bigger than it becomes due to me using the weight. Nothing wrong with my body getting used to the shoes. It’s just like skating or swimming. Use the muscles and they become TONED. So the ankle muscles LEARN….the butt muscles LEARN…PERFECT. Thats the whole POINT. I guess unless we turn into Barry Bonds…it’s not worth the money so we get “pundits” who are really just putzes…who try to poo poo good ideas…because they dont ‘get” it. Oh and I REMEMBER Reebok. You ask as if THEY were a fad. It’s all I wear because I NEVER have a “break in period” with them and they FIT! Now go back to the food service or housekeeping job you came from. Hows it feel to be a fad?
If the shoe fits, walk in it! It’s unfortunate that this review was written by such a negative skeptic…..most likely someone who has not only NEVER worn the shoe, but probably is obese and does not exercise at all anyway. Am I right??? There is a foundation behind what the shoe aims to acomplish with technology and psychology. They claim to give you a better workout, not make you have Heidi Klums legs while you lay on the couch. Who cares if they only tested 500 people…it’s a shoe! People do all kinds of ridiculous things in everyday life that have never been scientificcly proven to have any benefit to them whatsoever but they do it anyway….and why not. Your article was not helpful in any way.
I tried on Skechers’ version & they weren’t comfortable, nor did the rocker sole feel as beneficial as fitflops or the incredible, thick sole Asian looking flip flops (that really work your legs & glutes). I plan to try on & possibly buy Reebok’s Easy Tones this week if they are comfortable & will encourage more walking while running errands, walking instead of driving on the college campus where I work, etc. The older we get, you gotta use it or lose it, so I’m all for any shoe that will encourage additional action & less couch riding!
Walking is the best exercise and overall toner for me. It’s something I can do consistently. My stomach is tighter, my legs and butt are more toned and I simply feel better. I read another post on Prevention about exercise insoles that fit into sneakers and shoes that help increase circulation and burn calories. I wear them everywhere I go. They’re really comfortable, and I felt the difference in my legs and butt almost immediately. They’re like the new Reebok EasyTone, but less than $30. I’m always looking for ways to enhance weight loss and these insoles are a real help. They’re called Smartsole exercise insoles http://www.smartsole.com I saw a discount code MB10 for 10% off on a coupon board.
I’m a dance instructor, immediately you’r eall assuming I have a dancer’s body…haha not even close. I am not genetically built to have a dancers body and it really (for lack of a better word) sucks that I’ve spent so much time obsessing over it. The most important thing that I teach my students is that it doesn’t matter what shape you are, we’re not all 5′10 and 100 lbs, it matters that you’re healthy and active. If these sneakers encourage more activity and healthier movement then why the hell not? No, you’re not going to lose 60lbs walking on them, but they might make you feel better. Even if they are one small part of your new healthy lifestyle, it’s still a healthy lifestyle.
Can you Exercise in these EasyTone?
I think that earth shoes work just fine. They have a variety of styles (sneakers to “dressy”-type shoes) so there is no excuse to not wear them all the time http://www.earthfootwear.com/
I am still intrigued by easy tones, and actually plan on trying some on and seeing how they feel in the store.
I am planning to get a pair of the Reebok Easy Tone shoes as soon as I can find a pair. The Athletic Foot store near my house didn’t carry them and the advice on how to get them was a little shaky.
After reading the comments I am scared that the athletic shoe with work clothes/skirts/dresses will kick into high gear again. The people who like beautiful things are trying hard to get rid of that fad – the clothes and the person look a little unkempt.
I am still going to get a pair of the easy tones, but I promise I will only wear them with jeans or workout clothing – never with my skirts.
I bought the reebok easytone shoes because they had an appealing promise and I needed a new pair of walking shoes anyway. As it turns out, they are THE most comfortable shoes I have ever owned. I used to get back pain if I wore regular tennis shoes out and about, but have yet to experience that yet and I have owned and wore this shoe often for about a month. So far, I don’t notice a change in my glutes, but I have noticed more tone in my lower legs for sure! I recommend them!