Sketchers Shape Ups

Anyone here have them? If so, do they work for you? For those of you who don't know what they are, they are sneakers designed to help tone your buns and thighs, emprove cardiovascular health, burn more calories, improve posture, etc. My Mom just bought me a pair as an early birthday gift. Dana and I went for a great evening walk and although they were a little weird to get used to, they are SUPER comfy and I can feel the extra workout in my legs. Just wondering what others who have them think of them?

I'll be interested too, to see what people say, and Kailie be sure to report back in a few months to let us know if you have shaped up any. . However I have to wear prescription insoles because I have degenerative arthritis (among other issues) in my feet. I wonder if that would make a difference in the effectiveness of the shoes.

I know a few people who have them and love them.

They told me that it takes time to get used to not having a heel to stand on. The sole is rounded so in order to stand on the heel you have to roll backwards.

And they said that you have to ease yourself info wearing them. An hour the first couple days, 2 hours the next couple days etc.

They have all complained of sore calves, thighs and butt muscles.

One girl at work tried them but they irritated her lower back pain and she had to stop using them.

I saw them in the mall some months back and contemplated getting a pair, thinking they might help me with my balance issues and back pain. But for those same 2 reasons I decided against them because they are really expensive and I didn't want to spend money on something that I couldn't try before buying so to speak.

I think they are just a way to make a quick buck.

I can buy a normal pair of shoes and walk more if I wanted to lose weight, tone, etc. Like most of the other fitness industry products, the fad will pass.

Once my knee is completely healed, I plan on buying a pair; I don't know if I want Sketchers or the Reebok Easy Toners. They do take awhile to get used to, which is why I'm waiting...I don't want to do anything to traumatize the knee.

From the reviews I've read so far, there are two main concerns with these shoes:

1. Some people have said that when they've stepped on a sharp object (like a small, sharp stone, for example), the impact has deflated the sole of the sneaker. One lady said she only had her sneakers for two weeks when it happened to her. And the company refused to do anything about it. (I think that was Reebok, not Sketchers)

2. Some reviewers have said that they don't have good traction when using a treadmill. They love the sneakers and they think they're really comfortable. But they advise you not to wear them on a treadmill.

Just something to throw out there. Like I said, I will buy them eventually, but can't right now.

My sister bought them a couple of months ago, and recently started complaining of pain in her knees. Then, at work, some customer noticed them and commented that he's a researcher and he'd done research on Sketchers and found out that they seem to cause joint issues, especially in the knees, and when my sister told him that her knees had been hurting, it just cemented that idea.

Me, I thought about buying a pair myself (but no more!). I just want something that absorbs shock and doesn't make my feet feel like they're been carrying my weight around all day.

Originally Posted by Aussie_Dog

My sister bought them a couple of months ago, and recently started complaining of pain in her knees. Then, at work, some customer noticed them and commented that he's a researcher and he'd done research on Sketchers and found out that they seem to cause joint issues, especially in the knees, and when my sister told him that her knees had been hurting, it just cemented that idea.

Me, I thought about buying a pair myself (but no more!). I just want something that absorbs shock and doesn't make my feet feel like they're been carrying my weight around all day.

Click to expand...

Well, that leaves me out! I have enough knee problems. I won't be buying them. Thanks for the review! I've been walking in Nike sneakers....they're just regular walking shoes. And I guess I'll just continue to buy them.

I have found that, once I have walked about 500 miles in my Nikes, my feet and legs start to ache. I started buying new shoes at around the 500 mile mark, and have had no more problems.

I have a pair of the Reebok ones......I do notice a bit of a difference- I could feel my muscles working a bit harder but they are certainly not some miracle shoe that will instantly tone your legs and lift your butt just by walking in them constantly. You still need to work out.

Oh yeah, I agree, I'm sure they're no "miracle sneaker" but hey, if they help at all they're worth it to me. I work out usually 5 times a week and will continue to do so, but if they'll help I figure why not?

It's weird that some have complained of knee problems though because one of the things they claim to do is reduce stress on knees and joints. I'll certainly report back on how they feel after a while. It might be different on how they work with different people depending on your initial fitness level as well. My Mom works with a couple of girls who swear by them and they're nurses who are on their feet all day.

I looked at the Reebok ones but I didn't like the look of any of them and thought the Sketchers were cuter.

My mom has a pair and she loves them. She had them boxed up for the longest time, but she finally tried them, and now wears them everywhere! I need something like them, or at least some Keens for summer... I live in flip flops, unless it's raining or snowing, and the older I'm getting the more I notice the foot pain that they cause.

Originally Posted by Aussie_Dog

My sister bought them a couple of months ago, and recently started complaining of pain in her knees. Then, at work, some customer noticed them and commented that he's a researcher and he'd done research on Sketchers and found out that they seem to cause joint issues, especially in the knees, and when my sister told him that her knees had been hurting, it just cemented that idea.

Me, I thought about buying a pair myself (but no more!). I just want something that absorbs shock and doesn't make my feet feel like they're been carrying my weight around all day.

Click to expand...

The knee issue is what kind of stopped me from buying them too. My left knee has been bothering me since February or so and some ads say that those shoes actually relieve joint pain, especially in the knees. Reviews that I have read said that they had exacerbated it in some people. My knee is sore enough without taking the chance to make it worse.

I have a pair, and so far have ONLY worn them on the treadmill. I have plenty of traction, so don't know what the deal is with the post where someone heard they weren't good on a treadmill. I will say, though, that they DO take some getting used to, at least they did for me, but I have balance problems...that's why I bought them, to help me try to overcome some of my balance issues.

Also, I did the exercise DVD that comes with the shoes...did the shortest one (10 min. I think), and I was SO sore, I could not believe it!) Something was working, especially considering I workout almost everyday, not only on the treadmill, but also on the Bowflex and then playing tennis on the Wii (pretty actively, not sitting down!!)

Oh! Hubby has a pair also, and has bad knees, has even had surgery on one of them, and so far has had no problems. He loves them, and also uses them on the treadmill. He hasn't had them too long though, so hope he doesn't have problems in the future

I've had a pair of Sketchers for about 2 months. I didn't gradually ease into wearing them. I just put them on, and wore them the whole 12 hour shift. It felt a bit awkward for the first couple of hours. I bought them because I thought it might help with my lower back pain...they don't seem to make any significant difference. I have a medial meniscal tear in my right knee, but I haven't noticed any increase in pain. I can say that they seem to have helped with my plantar faciitis pain in my feet. I haven't needed my orthotics at all. As far as exercise of the thigh muscles...I'm sure that's purely hype. I doubt that you burn any more calories, improve your cardiovascular health or improve your posture. They are pretty comfortable though. I'll probably get another pair if they're still around this time next year. They weren't any more expensive than the SAS shoes that I usually buy for work.

I think most doctors see it as a way to make a quick buck. They do not endorse them as a way of keeping/getting into better shape.

I have a pair of the Champion ones. They are IDENTICAL to the rebok ones, but only cost $30! I LOVE THEM! They are super comfy and I can tell a difference if I walk a lot. I usually wear them to autocross because we walk the track at least 3 times and by the end of the 3rd time my calves hurt a bit, but nothing crazy! I also wear them to Zumba and love them because there isnt tread on the bottom so I slide easier and I have to focus a little more on my balance. I also have a pair of the fit flops and they seem to do about the same. Nothing drastic, but a little sore and super comfy!