Skechers Shape-ups Review

For the last two months, I've been wearing a pair of black, grey and blue Shape-ups from SKECHERS. If you haven't seen the commercials or displays for them, they are sneakers that have an extra inch or two of padding--a wedge insert to be exact--at the bottom of the shoe so that you roll as you walk.

Why would you want to wear such a thing? Well, they are designed to:
  • promote weight loss
  • tone muscles
  • improve posture
  • strengthen the back
  • firm calf and buttock muscles
  • reduce cellulite and tone your thighs
  • reduce stress on knee and ankle joints
  • increase cardiovascular health

Personally, what sealed the deal for me was the following line printed on their materials about the product, "Get in shape without setting foot in a gym." Done!

I also suffer from lower back problems and can always use better posture after sitting at a desk all day. The shoes even come with a DVD that shows you how to use the product, but basically you walk heel first and roll as you step forward. They simulate the resistance of walking on sand. It's quite easy, but I find that it requires taking more steps than I would if I was walking normally, which I suppose is beneficial right there. I also noticed initial soreness in my calfs, which I took as a sign that it was doing what it said. The best part though is that it gives me a much needed extra inch to my height, lol.

Besides sneakers they come in boots too, which I have my eye on. Also, I prefer their black colored "Action Packed" line than their solid colored ones as I don't think you can tell I'm wearing shape-ups due to the darker less noticeable colors. However, I've been loving that when people spot me wearing them, they ask me a bunch of questions about how I'm liking it and it's kind of fun having them before they are too popular. The only bad thing is that they can run you around $110 and up, but I saw them the cheapest at DSW.

According to Sketchers, on average women wearing Shape-ups for 6 weeks lost an average of 3.25 pounds while their body composition was reduced by an average of 1.125%. Meanwhile, back strength was increased by 37%.

19 comments

  1. Nifty, I've seen these on a bunch of commercials and was wondering what the concept was behind them. I'm curious, what benefits have YOU personally seen from them? Did you get better posture? Stronger legs? Less back pain? Lose weight? Win the lottery? :)

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  2. I've been thinking of getting these shoes for a while, but not quite sure. Calf soreness aside - are your legs looking hot?

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  3. Nathan, Yes, the shape-ups helped me win the lottery, i'm now a millionaire, lol. Seriously though, I have noticed better posture, that I am walking more because of the sneakers and some tightening in my calfs. I plan to use the more in 2009 so am hoping for more results then.

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  4. Thanks for the review. I've been thinking about getting some and wondering how they were. I'll have to think about getting these when it's time to replace the shoes I have.

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  5. I have to say, I'm intrigued by them but prefer the look of the Reebok ones more. These are cool but the sole really throws me off. The Reebok ones look more natural. But I think these are great!

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  6. I've been wearing the MBT's and love them. Look for my review in January on prettyisprettydoes. Thanks for sharing!

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  7. i've sort of thought of getting those shoes and now i'm slightly convinced i should get them, thanks.

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  8. I got mine for Christmas. I work in a Veterinary Hospital and am on my feet all day. I wore them during the weekend only for one day and then hit work on Monday full force. I felt only a little "burning" actually and when I got home my feet and legs actually felt great. Lovin these shoes! Thanks Skechers

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  9. I've been interested in these "type" of shoes for a few years now since I saw the MBT's. The Skechers are cheaper than the MBT's. Is the fit true to size? I'm going to need big work on my calves once I'm off my crutches and there are lots of mentions of them working out the calves.

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  10. I see these commercials and laugh. Although, I laugh harder at Taco Bell's new drive thru diet.

    HOlY hilarious!

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  11. I was considering getting a pair until I realized that well, I'm clumsy as hell. With the height, the rounded toe/sole and the change in gait...that's just asking for me to hurt myself in a bad, bad way.

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  12. Is this a review or an ad?

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  13. Anon - A review as it's all about my experience. I was not paid, pitched or asked to write this post, otherwise I would have disclosed it.

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  14. Since when is advertising defined by the transactional cost? An ad depends on editorial perspective.

    You _should_ have gotten paid for it because it looks like you copied Sketchers' promotional material nearly verbatim, and I don't see a shred of subjectivity or an account of a personal experience. In your estimation, did the _actually_ achieve the goals that it states?

    So, I echo @Ally's question: Are they working?

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  15. Anon, in my post I said I noticed a difference in my posture, I liked the added height that the shoes gave me and they have me walking more, so in those regards, yes, it worked. I'm hoping to use them more this year and I'll post if I see additional improvements.

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  16. I have them, and I love them! I’ve had them for about 4 weeks, and EVERYONE can see a change in my calves, thighs and butt! They are super comfortable too. I’m posting a week-by-week review on my blog.

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  17. I have worn my Skecher Shape-Ups for one week today. I absolutely love how they feel on my feet. Since they are so "cushy" my arch's are happy. I have noticed that I can't stand still while waiting in checkouts. I'm constantly moving. I love it. I tried on my old tennies yesterday~~~I don't believe I will go back to the flat tennies again. I felt like I had two blocks on the bottom of my feet and they did not roll with my walk. I would highly recommend these shoes, even for everyday wear.

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  18. I thought of buying a pair of skechers but still waited to see some reviews . but now i made up my mind and will surely buy one.

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