We’ve all seen the commercials.  A perfectly fit and toned woman is lying down (clearly not exercising!) in the tiniest pair of short shorts with a pair of bright pink and silver sneakers on.  Her legs are long and toned, her glutes contain no cellulite and her calves are perfectly formed.  And she got all of this from her sneakers?  What gives?

If you’re like me, you’re probably a skeptic.  After all, I get more inquiries about the newest fitness gadgets from my clients and friends than I can keep up with.  I watch the newest trends come and go daily and like I tell everyone, “Trends come and go but eating correctly and working out correctly always works!”  That being said, these new “magic sneakers” have intrigued me enough to do a little research.

So how does these shoes work?  Though I don’t own a pair (they’re expensive!), I can speculate.  If you’ve ever used a bosu ball (that half ball type contraption most likely located in the stretching area at your gym), then you get the idea.  There is almost a mini-bosu ball under the ball and heal of the shoe, forcing your balancing muscles to work harder.  As a health professional, this makes sense to me.

According to Reebok, “Easy Tone is designed to give definition to your legs and butt.  Simply walk and let the balance pod under your shoes do the rest.  The slight instability created by the pod forces your muscles to work a little harder, toning you up as you strut.  The more you walk, the more you’ll tone.  Technically speaking your gluteas maximus muscles will get 28% more of a workout.  And your hamstrings and calves will have to try 11% harder”.  Even I have to admit, I’m a little impressed.

According to the ratings I found on the site and elsewhere on the internet, these shoes are incredibly comfortable, like walking on sand.  Others said they could “see a difference in their legs and glutes” and really felt that difference while walking and doing their daily activities.  The one interesting fact I noticed while reading the reviews is that the majority of women said that they are now walking more.  I’m wondering if the actual purchase of the sneakers has encouraged and motivated them to walk more and perhaps is responsible for the tighter legs and glutes? 

In my opinion, I would have to guess that these shoes would force you to target your balancing muscles, thus creating more of a burn and possibly increased tone.  Buying the shoes won’t bring results, walking in them and using them might!  Which brings me back to my original belief of eating correctly and working out correctly and regularly is what works, always!   Will I try them? Probably not.  As someone who struggles with SI Joint, back and hip problems, constant instability is the last thing I need.  That being said, if you’re interested in using these sneakers and have any health issues such as back or hip problems, I would recommend that you speak to your doctor or physical therapist first. 

If anyone out there has tried the Easy Tone sneakers, I would love to get your feedback! 

My best,

Valerie Cogswell
Lead Nutrition Coach and Head Chef

*info derived from www.Reebok.com/EasyTone and www.examiner.com