But first I must note that this is totally my personal review, my own opinion. Skecher's in no measure has compensated me for this review of their shoes. In fact, they don't even know I exist.
I saw the ads. I was curious. I saw more ads. I even went online and watched their five minute infomercial (which you can see on this page if you scroll down). I put them on my short Christmas Wish List: Shape Ups or money to buy Shape Ups.
Superman was born two days after Christmas, so even though I got some money to purchase my Shape Ups, I didn't get around to it until about 6 weeks postpartum. At that point, I was really eager to try them out... just to see what wonders they would work on my out-of-shape-self. Because of Superman's transverse position and the trouble that caused my hips, it had been four months since I exercised last!
I ended up ordering a pair off Ebay... gotta love discounts! And when they came I eagerly laced them up. At that point, six weeks postpartum with a very slow recovery, it was my tendency to walk and stand hunched over. My fifth pregnancy and the cesarean left my abdominal muscles weak, to say the least. It was just hard to stand up tall. Do you know what I mean?
I wasn't ready for full blown exercise at that point, but the Shape Ups really helped my posture. I wore them around the house and as I was working in the kitchen. And I really noticed how they caused me to stand straight and tall. Correspondingly, they worked on tightening my core muscles... which is just what I needed.
The shoes came with a DVD of two workouts. The fifteen minute workout was great for getting used to the shoes and doing some easy-to-moderate strengthening exercises. I couldn't do much more than that when I first started back into an exercise routine. I have also tried the thirty minute workout a few times. It is a true workout... I was sore the first time for sure!
I don't think I noticed a big difference in muscle strength and tone until I started wearing them on my morning exercise walks. We walk at a brisk pace and there are a few big hills on our route. It is a good workout even in regular shoes. But with my Shape Ups on I really, really observed (and felt!) how different they were then my regular sneakers. They truly give a good workout! And, since I only have 30 minutes to walk, I need every step to count.
So the ads say that Shape Ups "tone your muscles, promote healthy weight loss, and make it easy to get in shape!" I would have to agree that they tone muscles.I've seen my legs and backside shape up. And I would add that they improve posture. Even though I don't wear my Shape Ups all day, my posture is improved throughout the day.
I would recommend Shape Ups... I think they really are different than regular sneakers... just like the ads say. What do you think? Have you tried Shape Ups? If so, how do you exercise in them? Do you like them?
2 comments:
As you know, I have a pair of Shape Ups, but I can't quite decide if I like them! They are very comfy for working around the house, but I feel very unbalanced trying to go up and down stairs in them!
Every time I have worn them on a walk, I have somehow pulled a muscle in my groin area. I"m not sure what I"m doing. So, I had set mine aside. After reading your review, I decided to get them out again. I took a walk today. My legs were so tired when I came home; that's for sure!!! I really feel it in my calves. I purposely walked slower and only went 1 mile, to try to avoid any more pulled muscles. So far, so good! I"ll keep you posted!
Hi Elizabeth! I don't know about the pulled muscle... I'm sorry to hear about that! I think it is definitely good to take it slow in the beginning since the shoes are so different. But, I wonder if doing the 15 minute program that came with the shoes would help you get your balance and adjust to the shoes better... Just a thought.
:-) ae
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