Shoe Trends: Are Balance Shoes the Next Uggs?
July 5, 2010 by cinder
Filed under Fit Feet for Shuz, Trends
By Dr. Emily Splichal ~
“Fit Feet for shuz” columnist Dr. Emily Splichal examines an interesting trend in athletic shoes. Are Balance Shoes the next Uggs?
First came Uggs. Then came Crocs. What’s next?
Sure Gladiator sandals are hot but they do not compare the most recent shoe trend many sneaker companies are trying to make a profit off of. Introducing balance shoes – or the shoes “with the gym built in”. From Sketchers and Adidas to the Original MBTs, everyone is promising to help you tone up and lose weight without ever stepping into a gym!
MBT Fora
Retail $245 – available at zappos.com
If you have been considering purchasing a $200 pair of MBTs, keep reading. Will simply walking in these unstable shoes tone your glutes and get you bikini-ready?
Being the science-nerd I am, I didn’t want to simply take the manufacturer’s word for it but looked up all the research behind these products. From improved balance to reduced ground reaction forces, researchers were testing these unstable shoes for any possible benefit they could think of. So what does the research show?
Don’t cancel your gym membership just yet! Although the research did show slight improvements in balance after wearing the unstable shoes, muscle activation was not as profound as increased toning effects promised by the ads for FitFlops.
From a fitness perspective, remember to actually tone and build muscle (i.e. lose weight) the trick is overloading our muscles through techniques such as resistance training. So even if these unstable shoes activate my muscles they are not overloading them to the point of actually building muscles. Remember activation and overloading a muscle are two different things. I’m sorry to say that these unstable shoes will not replace the benefits of working out.
So would I ever recommend unstable shoes to my clients or patients?
One thing that I really do like about the unstable shoes is their benefit for low back pain. People who suffer from low back pain typically have associated weak glute muscles. The research does show that unstable shoes do activate the glute muscles enough the protect the lower back, therefore reducing symptoms of low back pain.
Still not convinced? Most sneaker companies now offer their own version of the balance shoes – making them more affordable when compared to the original MBTs!
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Meet the Doctor
Dr. Emily Splichal, DPM, MPH, CPT, is the creator and lead instructor of Catwalk Confidence, a unique and exciting fitness DVD collection designed to help women gain strength, flexibility, comfort and confidence when they walk in high heel shoes, along with lean and defined legs. She is a graduate of New York College of Podiatric Medicine in New York City and has served as a certified exercise specialist at Crunch Fitness and NY Sports club.
She has had an ongoing commitment to postural alignment and core strength in fitness and podiatric medicine, and has presented research in this area to several national fitness and medical conferences. Catwalk Confidence is her extension to the public of her passion and expertise in fitness and podiatric medicine. Visit her website at www.catwalkconfidence.com.
