In today's day and age our society is all about results and how fast we can get them. We live in a fast paced world that focuses on how efficient something is and how long it takes to do it. Since the obesity epidemic has risen throughout the nation, people seem to be looking for anyway possible to beat the trend. The problem being that people do not want to hear that results take time and effort is needed. Quick fixes to get in shape and become a healthier person is in high demand and companies are willing to provide it no matter what the true results really are. An article I currently read reveals the true story of One of the latest trends in exercise, Shape ups or Easy Tone sneakers. Companies like Sketchers, Reebok, New Balance and Nike are jumping on the quick fix bandwagon providing the key to fitness by not even having to step foot into a gym. The idea of a sneaker that provides answers to health problems has been around for quite some time now focusing first on the runners shoe followed by the aerobic shoe, cross trainers, athletic shoe and now the shoe that tones without breaking a sweat. The problem is that people are jaded by the good looking models, athletes and actresses wearing these sneakers in the commercials and ads saying that a set of sneakers will fix the problem. When in reality test results show that in comparison to any other athletic shoe they provide the same result. The article states that, " A recent study by the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit group that certifies fitness trainers, compared three toning shoes — Shape-Ups, Easy Tone and MBT — to a standard running shoe by measuring muscle activity in several areas, including calves, buttocks and abdominal's. “Across the board, none of the toning shoes showed statistically significant increases in either exercise response or muscle activation,” the study concluded. “There is simply no evidence to support the claims that these shoes will help wearers exercise more intensely, burn more calories or improve muscle strength and tone.” So why pay 110 dollars on something that doesn't work? It's a solution, the need of self accomplishment thinking that no matter what you do throughout the day you are increasing your fitness is something that people like to feel whether what they actually do is working or not. Article on toning shoes
Funny that you wrote about this. I saw another Reebok commercial last night and was thinking about these shoes and who exactly was spending their hard earned money on them. Great information to support my opinion on the matter! Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteI was really excited to see that you posted an article about these sneakers because I was just having a conversation about them last night with my friend. I was talking about how I wanted to ask for the Reebok Easy Tones for Christmas and my friend immediately laughed and told me that they don’t work. I told him that they had to work or there would not be such a large market for them. I decided before I asked my parents for them that I would do some research for them so you are making it really easy for me. I am so disappointed to hear that they have no impact. Even if it was only a 2% advantage, I was excited that they would be doing a little something extra for me. It is so surprising to learn that they don’t work because you look around the gym and there are so many people that are wearing them. I do understand their concept that even if you think your getting a better work out just from walking how it could steer you away from eating that bag of chips at lunch, however, once people find out that the sneakers have no affect, there are going to be a lot of angry customers out there. I also find it surprising that in this day and age with technology so extreme that no one has been able to come up with a sneaker that actually does tone your muscles more when you walk. I’ll be waiting for that day!
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