The Daily Telegraph reported on October 14 that a kind of "gym on your feet" footwear is flooding the mareket, which could tone up your legs and bum without having to resort to endless lunges and squats。
It all started with MBTs (Masai Barefoot Technology)， the chunky "anti-shoe". Research showed that the rolling action of the soles really could relieve back, neck and joint pain for many people and – as an added bonus – they helped to tone the lower body and burn more calories。
Then FitFlops swept the UK with their funky sandals, furry boots and, new for this autumn, a fabulous platinum sneaker. Studies at the Centre for Human Performance at the London South Bank University showed that normal walking in the sandals increased leg, calf and gluteal muscle activity and improved posture and muscle tone。
The key lies in the soles – two rounded balance pods underneath the heel that create a slight instability with each step that forces your muscles to work harder to adapt. It’s a bit like walking on uneven sand. Reebok says this increases muscle activity in the glutes by 28 percent and in the calves and hamstrings by 11 percent。
However, these forms of functional footwear aren’t multi-purpose; even the EasyTone trainers are limited in their use. Because of their inherent instability they are not recommended for running, aerobics or playing sports。
Strength coach Michael Pellegrino also sounds a note of caution. "There is no substitute for real exercise and you should always choose footwear that is supportive to the feet and ankles," he says. He approves of MBTs as they "teach good posture and core control" but is unconvinced by the others. "They are gimmicks," he says. "They do make muscles work harder but not necessarily in a good way."据英国《每日电讯报》10月14日报道，一种新型“脚部锻炼鞋”正在市场上热销，穿上这种鞋子，无需再去进行无止尽的深蹲锻炼，只需闲逛就可以拉长腿部线条。
这种鞋子来源于马赛赤脚科技，一种笨拙的“反常规鞋”。研究表明，对于大部分人来说，这种左右移动的鞋跟可以缓解背部、脖子和关节处疼痛。另外，它们还可以让矮小者“变高”，燃烧更多的热量。
FitFlops鞋充斥整个英国，它们有普通的凉鞋、毛茸茸的靴子，今年秋天，还有一款新式亮闪闪的镶铂金鞋上市。伦敦南岸大学人类工作效率研究中心研究表明，穿着凉鞋正常走路可以增加腿部、小腿和臀部肌肉的活动，改善人们姿态和提高肌肉张力。
鞋子的关键在鞋底，在鞋后跟下安置两个圆形掌子，人们穿上鞋后走路就会产生轻微的不平衡，这样人们就要努力调节肌肉使其尽快适应， 就像行走在不平的沙滩上。锐步鞋声称说这种鞋可以使臀大肌活动增加28%，小腿和腿筋活动增加11%。
但是，这些功能性的鞋子不是多用途的。就连EasyTone 运动鞋的用途也被限制在一定范围内。因为这些鞋子存在固有的不稳定性，专家建议不要穿着它们进行跑步、健身操等运动。
体能教练迈克尔?佩莱格里诺也给出忠告。他说：“没有什么可以成为运动的替代品。你们应该选择支持脚和脚踝的鞋子。”他称赞马赛赤脚技术鞋“支持力集中，可以塑性”，但是并不是适应所有人。他说：“这种鞋就是‘噱头’, 它们尽力使肌肉进行活动，但不一定是好方法。” |