By now I'm sure that you have all heard about the newest trend in fitness

footwear....Shoes that actually tone your legs as you walk. Even Kim Kardashian has jumped on this bandwagon. Sounds great, right? Well, here's the truth on the shoes that sound too good to be true.

Toning shoes (there are various types made by many different companies) all work in the same basic way. They take away the flat sole of a tennis shoe that we are all used to and instead use either a "rocker bottom" design or multiple "circles" on the bottom of the shoe. This creates some instability when you walk which in turn causes the muscles of your ankle and leg to work harder, and in different ways, to stabilize you. By working these muscles in different ways, it helps to burn more calories and tone your legs at the same time.

Toning shoes can be great for people with heel pain or pain across the ball of your foot because they alleviate pressure in these areas. They are also great for people that have to stand on their feet for 8+ hours per day. However, they are not recommended for people with weak or unstable ankles (people that feel like their ankles give out on them) or people with balance issues because they create added instability and can lead to falls or other injuries like ankle sprains.

If you are still unsure if these shoes are right for you, just ask your friendly Podiatrist at Cumberland Foot and Ankle Centers...They would be happy to help! We have many convenient locations: Somerset, Corbin, Stanford, Danville,Barbourville, and Williamsburg. Contact us at 606-679-2773 or toll free 1-800-600-6740. Find us on Facebook and Twitter.
By: Dr. Jamie Settles Carter