FitFlop your way to shapely legs and thighs? (FitFlops)

Member Name: laramax

Product:	FitFlops
Date:	27/06/07 (12096 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very comfortable, cushioned soles, shock absorbing

Disadvantages: Very expensive

Is it possible to buy a pair of shoes that will exercise your legs? I saw some information about these shoes and it got me wondering. I am old enough to remember Scholl exercise sandals and I bought a pair of those many years ago so it was probably inevitable that I would be swayed by the hype and invest in a pair of FitFlops.

What exactly are they?
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They are simply a pair of flip flops with a shaped and cushioned sole which it is said slightly destabilise the body which in turn makes you use more muscles as you walk. By doing so the manufacturers claim that you will tone the calves, thighs and buttocks. According to the manufacturers the FitFlop's uniquely built multi-density midsole activates muscles midstep to help tone your thighs, your calves and your glutes. They say that FitFlops are biomechanically engineered to absorb shock, lessen joint strain, and recreate the gait of barefoot walking - but with a powerful new built-in micro-wobbleboard workout-enhancing effect. Sounds promising so far but what, I wondered, was the reality.

What do they feel like?
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Having ordered a pair on line from rubbersole.co.uk at the princely sum of £36 plus postage I was really hoping they would work! I am pleased to say they arrived the following day and, despite the FitFlop website saying that the blue would not be available until July I got mine in blue mid June with no problem at all. They come in just three colours, red, blue and black and in sizes 4 to 8 – other sizes may be available later.

My first thought (apart from the strange smell when I opened the packet – which thankfully went away within a short space of time) was that they looked to have a very substantial sole. Not only that but once I slipped my feet into them they were very comfortable. The sole is well padded and quite springy so as you walk in the FitFlops you do feel a bit as if you are walking on air and I certainly got the feeling they were very shock absorbing. The centre post is quite chunky and to be honest it wasn’t something I was used to in a shoe but I didn’t find it too uncomfortable. I felt quite stable in the shoes so if there is a wobbleboard effect it wasn’t noticeable on first wearing.

Did they work?
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This is a bit of a tricky one. I decided to wear them on a Saturday morning as I went round the supermarket to see how they felt but I took with me a pair of ordinary shoes so that I could change before I walked around town as I didn’t want to risk forming blisters particularly between my toes. They felt really comfortable and I was really happy wearing them, so much so that I ignored the spare shoes and did my shopping around town in them too. I felt I had given them a reasonable workout without doing too much so I waited to see how my legs felt the following day.

When I awoke on the Sunday they felt marginally slightly stiff as if I had had a reasonable amount of exercise but not excessively so. I guess I did think that perhaps there was something which had made me exercise my muscles a little more than on a normal walk but that could of course have been wishful thinking.

That said I do like them – they are very comfortable to walk in and they are quite shock absorbing. They fit comfortably and although the strap across the top is quite secure on my high instep it doesn’t chafe.

Would I recommend them?
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Well – I would, because they are very comfortable and if they are also doing me some good in terms of using muscle groups I have neglected then that is a bonus. But do I really believe they will give me shapely legs (when I have never had shapely legs) – No I don’t. Yes they exercise your legs, but not in my view enough to make a huge difference. They are many times better than my old Scholl exercise sandals because they are very comfortable and stable and I really do think I could walk miles in them. Are they worth £36? Probably not – but somehow I have a feeling I will be wearing them a lot this Summer if only because they feel so good on my feet and any exercise benefits will be a very pleasant bonus!

© Laramax 2007

Summary: The 'latest' in exercise footwear and very comfortable to wear