Walk Away

According to an article in the December 2010 issue of Good Housekeeping magazine, if you want to tone your muscles, "fitness" sneakers are not a "shoe-in."  When researchers for American Council on Exercise measured muscle activity at six body points while walkers were wearing either Skechers Shape-ups, Reebok EasyTones, MBTs, or (the control group) regular New Balance sneakers, they found no significant difference.  So why the hype?  Toning shoes have an unstable sole, so you use different muscles to balance.  This may cause temporary soreness, which eases as your body adjusts the scientists say.  The author's footnote: Buy regular sneakers, and get the toning from your workout.