Pedestrians Should Exercise Caution Before Purchasing Toning Shoes

The Federal Trade Commission announced last week that shoe giant Reebok International agreed to a settlement for claiming that its “toning shoes” would provide extra tone and strength to leg and buttock muscles.

The shoe giant will pay $25 million, which will go toward consumer refunds as part of the settlement agreement (pdf).

Consumers who bought eligible Reebok toning shoes or toning apparel on or after Dec. 5, 2008 can submit a claim.

“The FTC wants national advertisers to understand that they must exercise some responsibility and ensure that their claims for fitness gear are supported by sound science,” said David Viaedeck, director of the agency’s Consumer Protection Bureau.

Joe Schultz, manager of Old Town Alexandria , said his store does not sell toning shoes because they “don’t fit into the running demographic…but the idea behind them is interesting and the way they were marketed is the issue.”

Schultz explains that the whole idea behind the toning shoe is that most shoes offer a basically flat platform at the sole, but a toning shoe has a rounded sole making the user engage other muscles.

“There’s a lot of things that happen right at the arch (of the foot) all the way up to the lower back…If you don’t have efficient mechanics already, these shoes can amplify a bad situation,” he said.

He said Reebok’s marketing campaign was misleading because it led people to believe that “all you have to do is wear the shoe and you don’t even have to go to the gym anymore.”

Additionally, some people may try running in the toning shoes, which is probably not a good idea.

“Buying a running shoe or any kind of shoe isn’t always as easy as choosing one that looks good," Schultz said. "Whether you’re running or working out, getting the right shoe for your needs – and your body’s mechanics – is important.”