Can a shoe really help firm-up your backside?

Touted as a "gym-free" way to trim down, sales for Skechers Shape-Ups continue to soar. In fact, earlier this year, the company even launched a men's and more conservative work-shoe line. So what's the real scoop on these shoes?

Skechers claims that its Shape Up shoe line, which features rocking, slanted soles, naturally activate more muscle fibers to quickly and better tone a walker's thighs, buttocks and core. Some enthusiastic striders even say the shoes improved their posture and decreased cellulite. Reviews we found said the shoes "took a little getting used to" but were generally comfortable to wear. Sound appealing? Sure. Is the science solid? Skechers says yes.
In a company-sponsored study, ten women wore the shoes for six weeks. Final results found the women shed an average of 3 pounds and "improved their lower back endurance" (whatever that means). Of course, this convenience comes with a price tag. So what, may you ask, is the cost of this cutting-edge science? Shape Up sneakers start at $110 a pair. They're also pretty funny-looking.

One point of contention with these kicks: Some health experts warn against prolonged usage. A few docs say their naturally wobbly nature may place more stress on a person's knees and ankles triggering injury-inducing falls.

The shoe genre is called Masai Barefoot Technology, or MBT. "The claims as to assisting posture, back, hip and knee problems are not supported by evidence or any good rational explanation," says Dr. David Johnson, consultant orthopaedic surgeon at St Mary's Hospital in Bristol. "Indeed the instability provoked [by the shoe] will increase the muscle activity and energy required to walk - thus increasing fatigue and tiredness. Technically, the increased need for this muscular activity in stabilising is not "natural" or "physiological" and would increase rather than decrease stress and pressure on all these areas of the body which, rather than be helpful, may be detrimental."

What do you think? Let us know if you've tried Shape Ups and whether you can feel a difference in your bottom line...