Re: Fitness shoes: firming butts or causing pain?

[Guest guest]

Thanks Gretchen, interesting article.

I bought some Sketcher Shape-Ups last Fall. I got them just before taking a

business trip to a conference in New Orleans. When I first put them on, I really

liked how stable I felt and how confident I was that I would not " roll out " my

ankle (I have a big problem with falling off my shoes and landing on the point

of my outer ankle while my foot rolls under). I made the mistake of doing too

much too soon, I think. I wore them on the plane and ended up walking miles in

them the first day (they tell you to gradually work up to wearing them longer

and longer - I just put them on and went).

Once I got to New Orleans I was aching in every joint. Not that " good workout

muscle burn ache " but that " the insides of my bones feel like a nail has been

driven through ache " . I thought, maybe just the act of traveling did it. So I

went without the shoes for a few days, then tried again. The convention center

is SO huge and the French Quarter has so many uneven surfaces that I felt

terrible again.

Since then, I've been waiting for the rain and mud to subside here in LA and

plan to start going for gradually increasing walks with them on the bike path

near my house. When I put them on it feels really good and comfortable, it seems

to assist in walking rather than make me work harder -- at least until later. I

do have the tight Achilles tendon the article mentioned. I kind of thought this

might help me loosen that. I'll let you all know if I'm successful when I follow

directions.

Holli

[Guest guest]

I have some MBT shoes; I got them on sale online for less than $100.00! They

were still pricey, but for me they were WELL WORTH IT!!

I didn't think that article was particularly good because it had a negative tone

about the shoes, but it didn't cite any particular problems or injuries that

have been caused by them (it vaguely mentioned issues with tendons and causing

pains but had few specific examples or data). In fact, instead it actually said

there is some proof that they do what they're supposed to do. I would have no

problem with the article being negative if it had gone on to explain more fully

the evidence for that conclusion and if that evidence was actually greater, or

more serious, than the positive data and evidence.

My experience has been that I LOVE my MBT shoes!! They are a bit difficult to

balance in while standing still, but I really do feel them exercising my muscles

and I think they are helping to exercise muscles that have not been used

regularly (due to CMT) but still work a bit, in my feet and other areas that are

impacted by CMT; this, I think, is a VERY good thing for me!! Yes, you do have

to be careful that you can become sore if you overdo it and don't get used to

them gradually.

One of the best things about them, though, is that it literally feels like I'm

walking on springs or clouds; they make my posture nearly perfect and I feel NO

STRAIN WHATSOEVER on my knees or back when I walk in them!! I feel the

benefits to the knees and back are fantastic and may possibly lead to people

with knee or back problems who wouldn't ordinarily be able to exercise without

pain, being able to walk and exercise and I don't see how that can be a bad

thing.

My husband does not have CMT, but he does have knee problems, and he hasn't been

walking with me as much lately because of his knees; I'm planning to get him

some of the Skecher Shape Ups for his birthday with the hope that we'll be able

to go on walks together (with the baby and dog too) again.

I do agree with the authors point that we hae to be careful a bout taking

shortcuts or " easy outs " to get results (e.g. especially with things like

taking pills to diet or lose weight instead of doing the hard work), but I think

that there are so many people who barely exercise at all that if these shoes

get people moving and doing something, even if it isn't as much as would be

ideal overall, they are still a healthy development.

I do have short achilles and tight calves so I will be cautious, but my .02 is

that I love the shoes!

Marti (age 39, CMT Type 2)

[Guest guest]

Marti,

I have some MBT shoes, too, and I suffer from major back issues, as well as CMT.

I can spit in a sink and injure my back at any time. I got it from my gait

caused by the CMT. Anyway, these shoes enable me to walk straight up, no

slouching or bending over, which in turn, makes my posture perfect! I actually

look an inch or two taller due to my posture.

You do have to wear them gradually at first. I get very tired if I wear them

all day but I can. I try and wear them when I am going to be standing a lot.

When I vacuum the house, take the dog for a walk, etc. I always wear them. I

have a pair of MBT sandals for the summer. They are really cute and work the

same way. The MBTs are the original and they are more expensive but the

benefits are great.

Karon