Do Toning Shoes Actually Work?

We’ve all seen the ads for toning shoes, big platform-esque shoes that claim to tone our bodies and burn more calories than normal as we walk, but do they really work?

A new study from the American Council on Exercise (ACE) says that no, they don’t.

The idea behind these shoes is that their unstable sole forces you to find a balancing point, making your calves, thighs, and butt work harder than normal when walking. But when ACE conducted a study to test the results of these toning shoes versus those of regular running shoes, none of the toning shoes showed any statistical increase in either exercise response or muscle activation.

The study found that the shoes’ cushioning and sole did force people to use different muscles when walking, but that didn’t mean any muscle was working harder or that your body was burning more calories. The only positive consequence on spending the money on these shoes, researchers say, is that it encourages people to get out and walk more because they think they’re achieving a toning effect.

More walking is a wonderful and healthy thing, but don’t expect to become more toned after purchasing these shoes.