SketchersShapeUps

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Wearing Sketchers Shape-Ups regularly will help to strengthen your heart, help your lungs work more effectively and increase your stamina. As a weight bearing exercise, walking also helps to strengthen your bones and muscles, while maintaining joint flexibility.As you become more accustomed to walking in this manner, you'll become more comfortable as you enjoy the strengthening and cardiovascular benefits of wearing Sketchers Shape Ups. =====

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Designed to improve your life by changing the way you walk, // Shape - ups  // feature a unique soft kinetic wedge insert and dynamic rolling bottom to simulate walking on soft sand. With the comfort of // Shape - ups  //, you will feel your heel sink to the ground as you step, roll forward as your weight shifts to its center, and push off with your toes. This movement will result in stronger leg, buttock, back and abdominal muscles as you stabilize your steps. =====

**What Do They Do?**

There are currently several brands of "fitness shoes" on the market. These shoes are very similar in that they have an unstable construction. Some of these shoes have a rounded sole which provides users with a rocking motion while walking. Others such as Reebok's EasyTone incorporate balance balls into the heel and forefoot of the shoe which challenges the balance of users. Manufacturers of these fitness shoes report that these shoes provide a more intense workout than regular walking shoes, as well as tone the buttocks, hamstrings, and calf muscles.

**DOES IT REALLY WORK?**

increase the relative exercise intensity and caloric expenditure of walking, and (2) increase muscle activation in the lower extremities compared to walking in regular athletic shoes.
 * Background**: This 2-part study evaluated the claims that wearing “toning” shoes can (1)

Barefoot Technology (MBT), and Reebok EasyTones. Results were compared to walking in a New Balance running shoe. In Study 1, 12 women walked on a motorized treadmill at 3 speed/grade combinations. Participants wore each shoe for 5 minutes under each condition. In Study 2, 12 other women walked at the same speed/grade combinations as Study 1 while wearing each of the shoes. Muscle activity in the calf, thigh, buttocks, abdomen, and low back were assessed via electromyography (EMG).
 * Methods**: Toning shoes evaluated in the current study were Skechers Shape-Ups, Masai

expenditure between walking in toning shoes compared with walking in the control shoe. Likewise, muscle activity as measured via EMG was similar between shoe conditions for all of the muscles tested.
 * Results:** There were no significant differences in heart rate, oxygen consumption, or caloric

greater weight loss or muscle strengthening/toning
 * Conclusion**: Based upon these results, the claims that walking in toning shoes will result in any


 * LAW SUITS**

There has been a class action lawsuit claimed against Sketchers alleging that Shape Ups has caused users sustained injuries as well as a claim that Sketchers violated consumer protection laws with unfounded claims. Sketchers claimed that the shoes would help tone the body on their own.The shoes claimed: "would help people lose wight, and strengthen and tone their buttocks, legs and abdominal muscles." Sketchers has agreed to pay $40 million to consumers. Consumers did not have to show proof of purchase, they were entitled to a partial refund whether they have proof of purchase or not. The President Micheal Greenberg defended the shoes and only settled to avoid the legal fees of fighting the lawsuit.

Fitness Related Applications Including but not limited to these benefits.
 * Applications:**
 * Improved Posture
 * Improved Blood Circulation
 * Improved Back Strength
 * Tightens Abdominal Muscles
 * Tones and Firms Buttocks
 * Tones and Firms Thigh Areas
 * Firms Calf Muscles
 * Reduces Knee Joint Stress

[|Sketchers Shape Ups Website] [|Order Shape-Ups] http://www.gundluth.org/upload/docs/Research/MedJournal/Vol7No1.pdf#page=7
 * Web Resources:**

Reebok RealTone Nike Nike+ Running Athletic Footwear Toning Shoe
 * Related Terminology:**

http://www.skechers.com/info/shape_ups http://www.gundluth.org/upload/docs/Research/MedJournal/Vol7No1.pdf#page=7 http://www.minds.wisconsin.edu/handle/1793/46666 http://articles.latimes.com/2012/may/17/nation/la-na-nn-skechers-20120517 http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=80336&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1696571&highlight=
 * Citations/References:**
 * Graphics:**