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In April I wrote about Skechers’ “Shape-Ups,” fitness shoes that claim to promote weight loss, tone your muscles, and improve your posture without going to the gym.
Buy these Skechers Shape Ups Fitness Junkie Trainers $161.37
To me it was a no-brainer. With a promise like that, I needed a pair ASAP. Luckily, the helpful folks at Skechers sent me the Mary-Jane style in black to try out.
So I took my Shape-Ups for a test drive across the Brooklyn Bridge. First off, I must admit they aren’t the most fashion-forward looking shoes. They have an elevated sole — apparently that’s where the fitness magic happens — and walking on the wedge “rocker bottoms” takes some getting used to.
I’m a little paranoid by nature, so more than once I thought passersby were staring at my club kid fitness shoes. But I literally hit my stride by the time I completed the 20-minute walk across the bridge, followed by a 10-minute walk to my apartment. My calves felt taut and tingly and my posture was more upright. The Shape-Ups seemed to be working, and I plan to wear them again.
My verdict? Although I wouldn’t recommend the shoes for long walks if you live in a busy, crowded city center like New York City, I will wear them while running errands close to home, cleaning around the house, and power walking at the park. And they’re perfect for smaller city working gals, Moms trying to lose the baby weight, or anyone looking for a supplement to their gym workout.
Image credit: Skechers
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i sto p useing mine,because they made my lower back hurt alot. i took them off , and they stay under my bed. they said they would help ha ha help hurt more.
I bought shape ups about two years ago, worn them walking a few times and my back ache every time I use them, so they are sitting under my bed
I have read almost all of the posts here and other sites. I have worn Shape-Ups for over a year and they work for me. Everyone must realize that people are built different and what works for one will not be right for another. There is no magic bullet here. Just as one medication can cause problems for one person it works great for other, this is how it is with Shape-Ups. If they make you hurt, stop using them!
i like shape ups but these are not available in india
Shape-ups are a fraud. They can actually cause foot damage. My firm has actually just filed a class action lawsuit and those who bought them may be eligible for a refund, myadvo.us/FRqmNr
I wear the easy spirit version- I had foot pain from regular walking/ running shoes and now wear these for my walks . I think they give more support because I have high arches. I wouldn’t run fast in them or expect them to get me in shape but for some people they are better for the foot. Everyone is different.
I do believe this 100%. I wore these shape-ups for a year and a half and now having trouble with my foot and hips.
Shape-Ups are a bad buy no matter what. They have been shown to cause damage to your feet and not improve health. My firm has actually just filed a class action lawsuit claiming the shoes are bogus and anyone who has bought a pair may be eligible for a refund. http://myadvo.us/wRaIoV
My husband wears shape ups and introduced me to them. We both LOVE these shoes. My husband has been trying to buy a new pair for the last several months and every store we go to seems to tell us the same thing “We are no longer selling them for men” I feel this is a crying shame for those that like the shoe and feel that Sketcher may lose some valuable business because of this.
I find it hilarious that some of you can be so dumb. “I think im going to file suit on sketchers”. “I felt pain in my ankle, knee, and calf so I just kept wearing them till my knee was double the size and now im at the DR”. Whats wrong with you? U must be the same people that we see on you tube trying to parallel park a bus where a smart car might fit.
I bought mine in like new condition at a thrift store for $10. If they start to hurt my feet or cause any trouble otherwise I will STOP WEARING THEM! Im amazed at the lack of common sense
I have been wearing shape ups for 18 months. I walk an average of 4 miles a day at least 6 days a week. I love, love love these shoes! I’m on my fourth pair!
I previously had trouble with over-pronating and have had key hole surgery for torn cartilege in both knees. With the help of shoe supports over two years I’ve made a full recovery. I bought Sketcher shape Ups and at first I thought awesome – no shoe supports needed, super comfy – what a find, but then after two months the knee twinges started. At first I thought it might be exercise related but then I noticed the pain was only on work days, very quickly I could barely walk. I’ve stopped wearing them now and the last couple of days I’ve been in less pain but I am concerned thatthe damage is done and I have torn cartilege once more as a result of wearing shape ups. If I have – I will be tempted to take legal action. They may work wonders for some but for others they clearly cause problems so should not be on general sale in my opinion.
I wear Shape-Ups during my workouts. I don’t know that they burn extra calories while walking, but they do seem to add extra intensity to my workouts. The shoes are heavier than typical workout shoes, so it adds some extra weight to moves that involve lifting the legs off the ground. It also adds a bit of instability to squats and lunges, so I have to work harder to maintain my balance. I don’t think one can reasonably expect to lose weight and get in shape simply by wearing Shape-Ups for daily activities, but I definitely think they add a little extra something to workouts. I can also see how they can help people with knee or foot pain because they feel like they cushion my feet.
I had a wreck in 2009 and hurt my back. I started wearing Sketcher shape ups and it helped with the pain. I tried to go back to the regular shoes and, no go. I am now trying to find the same in solid black and having trouble doing so. Nothing but Sketcher Sahpe ups for me.
I have been wearing my Skecher Shape-Ups daily for over a year. I wear them inside the house and out for periods of 10 to 16 hours at a time. I love them for many reasons: 1) They have alleviated my faciitis pain, 2) I can stand in place for as long as 9 hours at a time (for work) without any ill effects on my feet or legs, 3) The height of the shoes keeps my feet warm (in the winter) because my feet never touch the ground. I wouldn’t consider wearing any other shoes.
Just bought mine last month. It felt great! it felt like gliding when I walk, my feet would automatically do the “heel to toe” motions so its like power walking every time. Never had any problems with the imbalance or such. Not great for working attire though ( I wear skirts to work). But I wear it for shopping, doing errands, etc. I feel I could walk for miles and rarely feel tired. My posture improved, no signs of weight loss though.
I was really surprised with all the complaints, cause mine never had any severe problems for me.. just the weight loss part, I dont really feel any difference with my weight.
I have had shin splints and severe knee pain to the point I almost gave up walking. I found a pair of shape ups in a discount store for $29.00. I thought it couldn’t hurt. I walked a mile on Friday last week. NO PAIN! I was shocked. I walked a mile and a half on Saturday. NO PAIN! I was really shocked. Today is Monday! I walked two miles, with the fastest time in six months. NO PAIN! A little winded, but NO PAIN! My knees have stopped hurting. I had no shin splint pain. They may not be for everybody but so far they are MIRACLE SHOES FOR ME! THANK YOU JESUS!!!
I bought a pair a month ago because I am prego and just wanted a comfortable shoe. They were so comfy when I put them on I thought awesome. After wairing them twice I began to realize I was in more back and foot pain then usual and before you say it’s because i’m pregnant I was only four n a half months no belly or swelling yet. My boyfreind gave me a foot massage after the second time and I was nearly in tears. I tried taking them back to the store and they wouldn’t take them back I tried calling the sketcher helpline and they said there was nothing they could do(not warenteed). Will never buy sketchers again. Made an awful product and didn’t even care. I don’t wanna have to be afraid when I buy shoes!!!!
I had been wearing them a year or more and begin to have pains in the back of my legs my hips and muscle spasms in the thy area. I went to the emergency room and they told me that they had seen several people that came in with a complaint about their legs or the hip area and that I was having muscle spasms and to stop wearing the shoes. I am still having pains to this day and I think that the shoes should be taken off the market.
I received my skechers as a gift. At first I thought they were the answer to my prayers for a work shoe. After about 2 months of wearing them my leg and knee begin to swell. Not thinking it had anything to do with the shoe I continued to wear them until I had so much pain and my knee was double in size and not going down, I had to eventually go to see my doctor who in turn sent me to a orthopedic surgeon. To make a long story short I had knee surgery. The surgeon went into surgery saying a had a torn meniscus but after surgery advised it was not torn and he just cleaned it up some. (??) After all the healing and therapy I decided to start wearing the shape ups again and within a week I had developed a pain in my ankle that traveled to above the knee. With all the symptoms my coworkers felt I had developed a blood clot and urged me to go to the emergency room. I am glad to say it is not a blood clot but I have been sent home still in pain and leg still swollen with prescriptions and the advice to follow up with my primary physician. Needless to say, I will be throwing my skechers out.
143 days ago
[...] shoes are of any good is to buy one and wear it as per normal shoes. Can read more about it here: http://thegloss.com/fashion/do-skechers-shape-ups-really-work/ and [...]
I love them! And the first place I wore them was on a 2 day walking adventure in NYC! 8-9 hours on my feet both days and I felt great! Admittedly, my feet were beginning to rebel about being cooped up for 8 hours but that would have been true in any shoes. These sneakers performed wonderfully!