A better butt just by changing your shoes? Shape-Ups vs EasyTones

So I recently purchased the Skechers Shape-Ups Maryjanes and got the Reebok Easytones from my lovely boyfriend for Christmas. I thought you might be interested in how these shoes actually feel and if they deliver on their promises at all.

The exact styles.

The promise:
From the Skechers website: 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.

From the Reebok website: Easytone uses balance pods built into the shoes to create a natural instability, much like walking on a sandy beach, that encourage toning in 3 key areas of the leg–your hamstrings, gluteus maximus, and calves. You’re always toning with Easytone–even when you’re standing.

Both claim to give the sensation of walking on the sand. It’s not really like a sandy beach, more like gravel in my opinion. I feel the “walking on the sand” thing a little more with the Sketchers. The balance pods do not feel like sand because there really isn’t a cushioning sensation.

The price: both are about the same. About $100-$125

The style: Reeboks win hands down in my opinion. I do like that the Sketchers have a little platform action to them which gives me a well needed inch to my height. But the Maryjane style Shape-Ups I have sport a pretty orthopedic look. The Reeboks actually look like regular sneakers.

Comfort: while both are pretty comfortable, the Shape-Ups are cushionier so they are a little more comfortable in my opinion. I think I could probably wear the Shape-Ups for 10 hours and they would still be comfy. The Reeboks feel a lot like a standard pair of sneakers.

Bottom line: Neither one of these shoes are going to replace exercise. Although more muscles are activated using this sort of footwear technology, you are still going to have to eat right and work out for dramatic results. It’s arguable that the main reason people see so much of an improvement is an overall increase in walking around. The sneakers may just inspire people to be more active. So the increased activity level might be the main reason people are tightening up.

I can definitely feel a difference wearing the Easytones and the Shape-Ups over my regular sneakers. My calves, hamstrings, and butt feel like they are working a little harder. After my first shopping trip wearing the Reeboks, my calves were a little sore the next day. The only thing that changed was the shoes on my feet. So I definitely felt it.

Because I am really active and train my legs pretty hard sometimes, the effect may be a little less dramatic for me.

In general, you aren’t going to morph cellulite into sleek, slender muscles just by changing your shoes. But you will feel a major difference between your regular sneakers and the toning ones. With time, these shoes really might deliver on their promises.

I encourage almost any behavior that gets people off of their asses! I really think that new sneakers, whether toning ones or regular trainers, will help motivate you to get moving. So hit up a sporting goods store and then hit the pavement!