Aretia's Tribe

Exercise Shoes
How often should I replace my running shoes? I exercise about 4 hours a week.?

Most manufacturers say after 500 miles. So your shoes should be good for about 6-7 months.

Select The Right Type Of Exercise Shoe And Boost Your Workout’s Efficiency

Karl Muller, a Swiss engineer, noticed whilst walking barefoot through a rice field in Korea that his back pain, which he suffered with, was very much better. After a little further research he learned that the Masai tribesmen of Africa do not suffer from back pain. They also display excellent posture.

Muller deduced that walking barefoot on a yielding surface was much better for both your back and joints than walking on a firm surface. He resolved to develop footwear that would replicate the effect of walking on a soft surface such as sand or grass.

Muller eventually came up with the Masai Barefoot Technology (MBT) footwear range. According to the company website, this is so different to normal shoes that it needs to be thought of as the “anti-shoe”.

MBT shoes incorporate a specially developed curved sole without a heel, which produces a rolling action when your foot makes contact with the ground. It’s just like walking on sand in your bare feet in fact. The use of materials of different densities also contributes to the effect by further lowering jarring and impact shock.

Independent scientific studies have verified that this is genuinely better for your back and joints. There are further proven benefits in addition to better posture. For instance, whilst engaged in normal walking in MBT shoes, the wearer’s muscles will be in use for longer (in comparison with similar walking in traditional shoes). The muscles are in use for approximately 16% longer. Wearers also tend to take slightly shorter strides. Both these effects raise the amount of work done.

The result of this is that each step you take whilst wearing MBT shoes is giving you extra exercise. It’s a lower body workout while you walk. In addition to helping to reduce back pain and improving posture, MBT shoes can also help to tone up your legs and trim your buttocks.

You would imagine that would be sufficient wouldn’t you? Despite all these benefits some people find MBT shoes a little chunky and not very aesthetically pleasing. MBTs are a little more expensive than conventional shoes (but the benefits may make them great value for money). Fortunately there are now alternative offerings available which utilise the same basic design and are more cosmetically attractive. Both Fitflops and Skechers Shape Ups have similarly designed curved soles which are engineered to maximise the duration of muscle activity and tone your legs and buttocks while taking part in normal daily walking activity.

Whichever footwear you select, the possibility of reducing back and joint pain whilst simultaneously trimming and toning your lower body – all whilst engaged in nothing more strenuous than normal daily walking – seems very attractive.

About the Author

Get a workout while you walk with
Fit Flops
sandals or
Skechers Shape Ups
– on offer in a wide range of colors and styles.