To think that Shake Weight is the worse fitness product ever could be an overstatement when compared to Shape-Ups, MBTs and EasyTones. You know what shoes I’m talking about; they’re those ugly shoes, with thick soles, and extra cushioning. They reportedly “tone muscles”, help you “burn calories”, and “improve posture”. Even worse, they claim that they will “… work your hamstrings and calves up to 11% harder. And tone your butt up to 28% more than regular sneakers just by walking.” That’s quite a claim (article info from ACE Fitness).
Fortunately, researchers at the American Council of Exercise released a press release back in July 2010, stating that “no evidence to suggest that these shoes help wearers exercise more intensely, burn more calories or improve muscle tone or strength”. This is based on a study they did on the shoes from unbiased researchers who did treadmill tests with all toning-shoes compared to regular running shoes.
Though this information has been out for some time, this is not going to stop them from marketing the shoes as being the best thing since sliced bread. In particular, Skechers has employed the star power of Kim Kardashian and well-known athletes such as Joe Montana, Wayne Gretzky, and other past professional athletes. What’s laughable is that Kim “fires” her personal trainer (who is shirtless, good looking, and more than flirty with Kim, which brings up the flawed stereotypes of personal trainers) in the commercial (which originally aired during at the time of the Super Bowl). Yeah right!
Anyway, not even the star power of Kim K. can bring back the diminished sales of the shoes. That’s why Skechers is throwing out everything thing they can to get sales back up with the barrage of athletes they have had in the commercials recently (related article on shoe sales collapse), which is the only reason I’m writing about it. I don’t want to pick on just Shape-Ups, but they are the most marketed. Here are a few things to consider about why any of these shoes do not shape or tone you more:
It’s too easy- Any time there is a fitness product that claims you will get greater benefit with less work is bull (read MYTH: Exercise is Easy). If you want to get fit, get toned, lose weight, or whatever, you have to work hard. Nothing in life worth having comes easy! It’s a cliché, but very true.
Studies funded by Manufacturer: Any time you see a product claim, check the source. Even if the study was done at a university or clinic, you have to check who funded it. If the manufacturer funded it, watch out! Just like they can find athletes that will say anything for a buck, likewise they can find researchers that will say anything for a buck. Thankfully, we will sometimes get a study funded by an unbiased, non-profit organization like ACE Fitness, who puts the consumer ahead of the dollar.
Walking and Cardio exercise Doesn’t Tone: The claim is, just by walking in these shoes you will improve muscle tone. Unfortunately, cardiovascular exercise tones muscles a very minimal amount. You have to perform anaerobic, weight-bearing exercises that will hit Type II muscle fibers to get improvements in muscle tone. You may get sore from wearing these shoes the first few days of wearing them, however, that’s because the surface is different. This is the case when you wear any shoe that is different, just like high-heels or sandals. Just because this happens, it doesn’t mean it’s going to tone up the hamstrings or butt more.
No full Range of Motion (ROM): In order to “hit” the hamstrings and the gluteus maximus (the muscle of the butt) you have to lengthen and shorten the muscle fiber fully. This will not occur if you’re walking or running. Instead, you have to do exercises like squats and leg-presses to tone these muscles. In these exercises, your knee and hips actually bend at the joint in a greater ROM. In order to have continual progression, you also have to change up your exercises, number of reps, resistance loads, etc.
Can’t change everybody’s opinion, even when they’re opinion is disputed by facts!
Unfortunately, I know that there are a large number of people who cannot be convinced that these shoes are worthless as to their claims. The only upside of purchasing these shoes is that if you’re inactive it may get you active. However, the claims are misleading and misinforming, which only further confuses the marketplace as to what it truly takes to get you fit. If I could give any suggestion to you, don’t ever be sold on a product. Instead, be sold on a lifestyle that includes all facets of fitness and health. Fitness products do not get you in shape. It’s the method that is applied that works.
Celebrity Endorsements don’t make products Credible
Also, please consider that just because a product is endorsed by a celebrity or athlete, doesn’t mean the product is credible. They are not fitness experts and simply go to the money. As much respect I have for some of the athletes, it’s tragic they would endorse such products. Even the so-called “fitness celebs” you have to question. I will address fitness-celebs in an upcoming article “Celebrit-ism in Fitness”.
No comments:
Post a Comment