Skechers Shape-Ups Test Try-On
posted by: freePOrnaoa in General on March 24th, 2010
Skechers Shape-Ups have won quite a few awards and have really cleaned up financially in a tough economic market. But I’ve never been sold on what they are. I think that a shoe should be either decorative (which means it serves an aesthetic purpose and it’s more acceptable if it’s a little uncomfortable) or extremely functional in getting the wearer from Point A to Point B, like sneakers (not to say it can’t be both pretty and functional).
The Shape-Ups seemed to be neither to me, but rather a sacrifice in both appearance and walkability. So I decided to put them through a test drive. While I don’t know whether they improve blood circulation, strengthen the back, improve posture, tighten the abs and butt and reduce cellulite (seriously doubtful), I wanted to test the comfort and walkability, as well as how cute or horrendous they looked on me.
First, I regarded the men’s shoes with skepticism. They look like big black cocoons.
Inside the store, an entire wall of Shape-ups awaited me.
On goes Pair #1, a pink-tinged pair with a high platform of support. They were cute, but a bit ridiculous looking. I had to do a walkabout.
Sadly, as comfortable as these were, I felt a bit unsteady. The extra cushioning makes you work harder, sure, but it also makes you feel slightly unsteady. In the streets of New York, who needs any more unsteadiness or perils in walking? And can you imagine wearing these while driving? You need to feel the gas and brake pedals through your feet.
This is a big shoe, but one plus is that it’s not heavy at all.
I got up, walked around the store about 18 times, and tried some of the exercises on the video that you get with your purchase. I was not convinced. If you need a shoe with really good support, you should get an orthotic with arches. If you need a training workout shoe, I think you should get a cross-trainer. This shoe is neither.
But alas, it was time to try on another, less padded version. This shoe was less comfortable and equally unattractive.
Skechers now has Tone-ups to rival FitFlops.
But no matter how many pairs there were, none of them looked appealing to me.
And those health claims? As of yet, they’re unsubstantiated. The four studies Skechers claims substantiate its claims were commissioned BY SKECHERS.
Readers, what do you think of Shape-ups? Were you as unimpressed as I was or do you see personal results?
14 Comments
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January 07, 2011 at 5:08 am, Helen said:
On the 1st of October last year, my daughter bought me Shape-ups. I am 56 and overweight, and she knows I am trying hard. I mostly walk, around the area where I live, about 5 miles a day. I have been doing that for close to 2 years, wearing Shape-ups since last October. I tried once to do push-ups, about a year ago, and had a hard time lifting my hips from the ground, because my core muscles were too weak. Two days ago, I started a pilates class. and was very surprised to see I could do all the exercises without any effort. I was straight as a plank doing the push-ups and I hardly had any muscle pain the following days. The only thing that changed in my life is the shoes. So I can't tell you if Shape-ups are good for you, but I sure can tell you that something trained my core muscles like never before… Sometimes an open mind and a bit of perseverance are better than much preaching!
September 26, 2010 at 11:46 am, Fallen Angel said:
I consider Skechers Shape Ups dangerous. I was walking in them on a flat surface, no obstacles, and my foot rolled and I fell. My ankle broke.
July 30, 2010 at 11:11 am, shape ups said:
for me they are beautiful because the cushioning takes the stress off my back and helps improve my posture.
June 15, 2010 at 4:21 pm, galligator said:
Pat – like anything, it depends on your physique & needs. One of our readers was healthy & rushed in similar shoes causing herself injury. Others love them. I am skeptical about how much local toning is really happening, but if it gets people up and walking & getting healthier, that is an overall good thing.
If you want more info on sketchers or their tone-ups flip flops, we have 2 other posts on those as well:
http://www.shoeblog.com/blog/skechers-tone-ups/
http://www.shoeblog.com/blog/skechers-shape-ups/
June 15, 2010 at 1:31 pm, Pat said:
A fractured vertebra makes walking an iffy propostion for me as I never know when my legs will go numb. Knowing that I would be spending two weeks at a meeting involving significant walking, I bought my first pair of Sketchers Shape Ups to go with my cane. I was able to walk a mile three times a day for the entire two weeks without ever once using my cane!! I was able to walk up and down stairs and walk distances without my legs numbing and without back pain. While many of you seem to think these are ugly shoes, for me they are beautiful because the cushioning takes the stress off my back and helps improve my posture.
June 08, 2010 at 2:46 am, skecher shape ups said:
I have been looking into these shoes for a while now and they seem to be a little like the earth spirit type shoes claiming the same benefits with posture and toning up as you walk etc. I don't think these shoes are meant to be your best looking shoes rather focus on the benefits of wearing them. If they help you use your leg muscles like you never have before then chances are they will probably work. I like the concept but have not personally tried them out yet.
April 11, 2010 at 11:44 am, Kay said:
I have shape-ups and they are amazing!!!!! I know you all think that they are ugly, but they are not once you try them on!!!! TRUST ME!!!!! THEY ARE A GOOD BUY!!! BUY THEM!!! : )
April 02, 2010 at 9:32 am, galligator said:
Lori – hate to hear that
I think the Skechers specifically warn wearers not to run in them because the balance is not correct for running.
Anyway, the jury is still out on these. The one agreement I have found is that if it reminds people to get walking, that is probably a good thing. Otherwise, a good pair of walking shoes & regular walking schedule will probably be as effective.
April 02, 2010 at 1:45 am, lorihmatthews said:
I had MBTs and I loved them — they started this whole craze.
However, do not run in these types of shoes — you can trip and fall very easily, which is what I did. I was running to catch the bus and I fell forward and hurt myself so badly that I broke my wrist and front tooth. I had to go to the emergency room. Both injuries required surgery and it was not fun. I have a permanent plate in my wrist. I'll never wear these types of shoes again.
March 25, 2010 at 1:51 am, r5bales said:
While I don't think they will hurt you, I don't think they are anything special. Aesthetically, they remind me of orthopedic shoes my grandma wore. After saying that, I look at basketball/athletics shoes and think, "Who in the world would wear that?" The answer, everyone.
I don't think these will have the same popularity.
March 25, 2010 at 12:56 am, April Brooks said:
They are unbearably, hideously ugly!
March 24, 2010 at 11:23 pm, trainingheels said:
I'm with you, Rose! I do the "bait and switch" — I wear a comfy pair to where I'm going, then change when I get there (a big purse helps, of course!).
We also don't have any proof yet that these shoes don't have a DELETERIOUS effect on your back, feet or body.
March 24, 2010 at 1:48 pm, Rose said:
Not convinced! I preferred pretty shoes even if they are sometimes uncomfortable.
March 24, 2010 at 9:02 am, All Women Stalker said:
Those look kinda ugly! I'm still not sold on the benefits those flip flops work out thingies give.