MBT shoes

by: AndreaDow
Total views: 2543
Word Count: 355

Thursday, March 29th

I have seen several fellow Pilates instructors sporting some shoes with a thick, curved sole. Along the same lines are some shoes that have a heel sitting lower than the toes. The MBT shoes were developed by a Swiss engineer looking to recreate the benefits of alleviated back pain he felt after walking in paddy fields! They look very interesting and I have always wondered if they were worth the hype. Advertisers claim that these shoes can improve your posture, reduce pain and stress on joints, activate neglected muscles and tone your legs. Wow....all that from choosing the right shoe? Gina Lombardi, host of Discovery's FitTV, tested three shoes that make this claim and here is what she found.

The shoes:
Spring Boost B-Fit $99
MBT Women's M. Walk $245
Earth Energetic $109

The results:
Her favorite pair was the Spring Boost B-Fit. It comes with inserts of varying thickness so you can gradually work up to an appropriate height for you. Lombardi felt like she was standing taller and that her legs were fatigued by the end of the day from using different muscles. The MBT shoe was not her favorite. Her complaint was that the shoe felt too unsteady and was too pricey. This brand has the option of various heel thickness so you may find something that works for you. I have heard several teachers and clients say that it takes a while to get used to the shoes, but is well worth it in the end. The final company reviewed was Earth (they make the Earth Energetic). I love my Earth boots that I own and think the athletic shoe would be of equal quality. Their Negative Heel technology "promotes a natural way of walking so you feel like you are walking barefoot in the sand". The bottom line is that there is still not any research proving the benefits that shoe makers claim. Lombardi reports that it is nice to have instant body awareness, especially regarding posture, and that the lower leg gets an added workout. I agree!

For more information on the shoes:
www.springboost.com
www.earth.us
www.swissmasaius.com

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