I’ve been getting a lot of questions lately about the new “shape up” shoes from Skechers.  You know, the ones that have a rocker bottom sole?  People ask me,”do they really work?”  My first question, is do they work to do what?  Some clients have heard they help with aches and pains in the knees, back and hips.  Others heard they are supposed to help tone the butt and thighs and other says they’ve heard the shoes help you lose cellulite (you all know what I have to say about that one).  I am open to researching any new technology that will help my clients live free from pain.  So I spent some time researching the shoes and their claims and here is my personal opinion:

The Shoe – The shoes have their roots in the technology of the MBT shoes, the original rockers, first developed by a Swiss Engineer.  A little about the actual shoe from the MBT website:

MBT is totally different because:

• Its sole is curved, not flat.
• It is unstable, not stable.
• It activates your muscles instead of undermining them.
• It has a positive effect on the entire body, not just the feet.

MBT stands for Masai Barefoot Technology, supposedly named for the Masai in Africa who are famous for their perfect posture and, supposedly rarely have back pain.(http://www.jefflewis.net/blog/2007/07/massai_barefoot_technology_sho_1.html)  The inventor of MBT shoes determined their posture and lack of back pain was due to a life of barefoot walking over soft earth.  Now, I’ve been to Africa.  In fact, I spent 5 months there and I saw many a Masai warrior.  But I ask, who says they don’t have back pain?  Did you ask them?  We are talking about one of the most war-ravaged, poverty-stricken continents on earth!  They live a primarily nomadic life with their main source of income coming from cattle.  Most of the population in Africa cannot afford $10 for a moquito net or medication for any number of diseases.  I mean, they don’t have running water!  Do you think they are going to stand in line for multiple hours at the nearest medical clinic to complain of lower back pain?  Second, I aruge their posture is perhaps due to the cultural recognition they have as warriors in the region.  Warriors are strong and proud, and in my mind tall and commanding.  It is not like in America where I have seen countless girls begin to slouch in adolescence because they are taller than all of the boys and for some reason that image in our culture is embarrassing.  Or, maybe it is because Masai spend the majority of their time walking the fields of Africa instead of slumped behind a desk, then in a car, then on a couch.  It might not be their barefoot walking but their way of life in general that has helped create this perfect posture and lack of back pain.

In explaining the origin of the shoe the MBT web site states,  “We realized that the human body is simply not built to walk or stand on hard, flat surfaces.”  us.mbt.com/Footer/Company/About-Us.aspx).  I also find this interesting because humans have been walking on hard, flat surfaces since the dawn of time.  And, how much walking and standing on hard surfaces do people do these days?  Wouldn’t it make more sense that our “new”aches and pains are more linked to the sedentary, inactive lives we lead rather than constant walking?

The company claims  MBTs activate more muscles than normal shoes because the rockers simulates an uneven surface.  So it is like walking on grass or sand.  The company states,”In conjunction with the Masai Sensor, the body’s entire musculoskeletal system is activated and exercised, the muscles in the buttocks,⁶ stomach and back⁴ are strengthened, posture and gait are kept relaxed and upright^6;10 and stress on the joints^2;6;7 and back⁶ is relieved. Not only does the anti-shoe increase the fitness levels of its wearer with every step, it also has sustainable health benefits.” (http://us.mbt.com/Home/Benefits.aspx)

The company also states their claims are backed up by research.  I did find the research.  However, it all seems to be funded, or at least sponsored, by one of the company’s own departments called the Academy.  Now, unless research is funded and conducted by an unbiased third party I am always wary.  But I went through a few of their listed studies and read the abstracts.  In one, the test group had no more significant improvement than the control group who underwent a “traditional sensorimotor” training routine.   Another study concluded that the shoe altered the gait and it may, key word, may help some people with musculoskeletal problems. http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/mbt-shoes-do-they-actually-work-857532.html

Finally, almost all of my clients know I am not a fan of anything that alters your gait.  I feel strongly about this because your gait doesn’t just affect your feet and legs.  It affects your entire body from toes to head and making changes to the way you walk, although at times necessary for some, can tweak the way your body moves enough to cause new issues or enhance current imbalances. And, most people have exsiting imbalances in their body – why would you want to exacerbate these imbalances by putting your feet permanently in an unstable shoe that will require your muscles to work harder, but probably incorrectly?  It makes more sense to correct those muscle imbalances first through bodywork and corrective exercise, if possible, then work on the instability training.

My conclusion: Who really knows if these shoes help reduce aches experienced by some people?  The research is fairly inconclusive.  But if some people believe the shoes help them feel better, then they probably do.  The mind is a powerful thing.  However, for most people, I believe the best way to increase strength and stamina, reduce aches and pains and lose weight is to engage in a smart nutrition and exercise program that includes cardio and strength training, balance,  flexibilty and core work.  There is no quick fix, ever.  And if something seems to good to be true, it probably is.

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