The latest craze in the world of fitness footwear seems to be toning shoes. These shoes usually incorporate specially designed soles – generally with air pods or with thick, rocker soles – which are intended to introduce instability whilst walking in them.
Toning shoes are designed to increase the use of certain muscle groups that may not be heavily used whilst walking in standard walking or running shoes. The imbalance created by the specially shaped soles causes these muscles to work a little harder as they try to regain the body’s natural balance. It’s this extra work that creates the toning effect.
Whilst the prospect of getting a free workout while you walk, and toning and trimming your legs and butt is extremely attractive for many people, the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) has advised users to exercise caution. According to the APMA, it’s important to remember that toning footwear is not a cure all that will tone the entire body. Toning shoes should be used in a similar way to any other athletic training equipment and viewed as an addition to an exercise program. Some toning shoes – such As Reebok Easy Tones and Fit Flops sandals – have received the APMA seal of approval.
Before you select and start using toning shoes, there are a few precautions that you should consider.
As with any shoes, toning footwear requires to be broken in. It’s also better for your muscles if you wear them for relatively short sessions when you start out. This will allow your muscles to become accustomed to any changes in your normal walking style which might be produced by these shoes.
When deciding which toning shoes to buy, keep a look out for the APMA seal of acceptance. The APMA has now certified a number of different types of these shoes as being “foot friendly”.
Just like any other shoe, you need to make sure that your toning shoes are a good fit for you. If they aren’t, then you will get blisters and have sore feet which will certainly not encourage you to get your walking exercise on a regular and consistent basis.
One of the big benefits of this type of footwear is that it could be influential in encouraging people to walk a little more than normal. Health and fitness professional unanimously agree that walking is one of the very best exercise that you can take part in. It’s a low injury risk, low impact form of exercise, which you already know how to do and which requires no special equipment.
As with any other exercise, you should take care to stretch both before and after your walking session. If you haven’t been in the habit of taking exercise on a regular basis, if you have any medical conditions or if you’re over forty years old, then it would also be a good idea to seek your doctor’s advice before you embark on any new fitness regime. Start off slowly and build up when you feel comfortable to do so. The maximum benefit from walking will be achieved when it is performed on a regular and consistent basis.
Have a look at the huge selection of styles available from Fit flops – sandals, boots, clogs and slippers. Try using an Omron pedometer to track your progress and help you to stay motivated.