Toning shoes have become incredibly popular over the last couple of years or so. As recently as 2008, toning shoe sales were a mere $ 17 million. In 2010, sales are estimated to be somewhere between $ 1 billion and $ 1.5 billion. At the moment, there are 6 pairs of toning shoes in the top ten best selling fitness shoe list – 2 Reebok Easy Tones and 4 Skechers Shape Ups.

It’s not too difficult to see why. The opportunity to get a free lower body workout which will tone your legs, trim down your behind, banish cellulite and help you to get in generally better shape, simply by wearing a different pair of shoes is certainly an attractive one. However, recent events may be giving some potential customers pause for thought, and could even make them wonder if wearing toning shoes is safe.

An Ohio woman is suing Skechers, claiming that wearing their Shape Up Shoes caused her injury. It’s anything but a cut and dried case – it seems that extended use was involved. Even so, there has been a great deal of bad press and there is even a special website by injury lawyers ready to “assist” anyone who wishes to sue certain shoe companies.

The facts of the matter are clear: Toning shoes should be treated like any other item of fitness equipment and used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If they are used incorrectly, or if they are overused, then – as with any other form of exercise – injury is possible. Regardless of whether or not you wear toning shoes, running or jogging to excess, particularly on hard, unyielding surfaces, can result in strains, sprains and repetitive injuries.

However, assuming that you don’t have any pre-existing medical problems, then as long as you pay close attention to the manufacturer’s instructions and don’t try to do anything that your body can’t achieve, then toning shoes, used together with a walking exercise program, will offer you a low injury risk, low impact method of exercising and getting in better shape. Take some sensible precautions, do a little research and toning shoes will be not only safe to wear and use, but will be a positive benefit for you.

Choose the right kind of toning footwear. There are plenty of different styles and brands to choose from. Most of these are designed for walking – but some toning shoes for jogging or running are now available. Select the type most suitable for your intended mode of use. Don’t wear toning shoes which are designed for walking for running, jogging or playing sports in.

Look for the American Podiatric Medical Association’s seal of acceptance. There are a range of different toning shoes which have been assessed by the APMA – Reebok EasyTones and FitFlops for example – and which have received the APMA seal of acceptance to indicate that they are “foot friendly”.

Once you have selected the right toning shoes for you, take a little time to break them in and get used to walking in them. Wear them for short periods only until you become accustomed to them. Make sure that they are a good fit and, whilst they may feel a little odd at first, they shouldn’t alter your walking gait to the point where you feel unstable. Take time to study the manufacturer’s instructions and follow them closely.

As previously mentioned, walking is a low injury risk, low impact form of exercise, it’s still a good idea to stretch before your walking workout. Start out gently and finish with a gentle, cool down period.

Finally, if you suffer from any medical conditions (and even if you don’t), it’s always a good idea to seek medical advice before you embark upon any new exercise routine. Although there are a variety of different brands and styles of toning shoes, most of them work on the introduction of a small element of imbalance into the walking process. If you have any problems with balance then toning shoes may not be a wise choice for you.

However, for the large majority of the population, toning shoes used as part of a low impact walking routine will be both safe and beneficial. Do not think that toning shoes are some kind of magic pill – consider them to be a helpful addition which can enhance the effectiveness of your exercise routine. Apply a little common sense and you’ll be able to get into better shape as well as getting a whole host of other health benefits into the bargain.

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Health and Fitness