These women’s shoes are built to tone and firm your bottom while you walk.

These women’s shoes are built to tone and firm your bottom while you walk. WalletPop has a good analysis of what’s behind the butt-firming EasyTone http://www.reebokzigtechclassic.com/index.php?main_page=login&zenid=hj38k3o37jgmuocdopj9b7qqh5:
These sneakers apparently build your body 12 different ways, just like Wonderbread. Reebok claims these sneakers provide 28 percent more gluteus maximus muscle activation, and 11% more calf and hamstring activation.
Reebok’s site explains that “DMX technology” and “balance pods” are the key. “Air travels between the forefoot and heel pod, creating super soft cushioning. The moving air creates a natural instability and forces your muscles to adapt to the air volume within the pods.”
Okay, here’s what I think they’re saying: The reason these sneakers give you a better workout is because they throw you off-balance and make it more difficult to walk in them.
(Reebok http://www.reebokzigtechclassic.com/index.php?main_page=login&zenid=i2hclliik3lpmocc66bg7bhvu5also claims that) “due to the instability of the balance pods, activities with unplanned side-to-side movement and/or any lateral-movement-sports such as tennis or basketball-should be avoided.”
Okay, so they work, as long as you don’t really exercise. This sounds like yet another fad shortcut to losing weight while expending little extra effort.
The idea that shoes can help tone you is in fact gaining traction among footwear manufacturers. The Wall Street Journal has more on the physiology behind “physiological footwear”:
Unlike traditional athletic shoes http://www.reebokzigtechclassic.com/index.php?main_page=login&zenid=icuq1o0qpjlpgjnqk7gihm3dk6 that are built to be stable, rocker-sole shoes are deliberately unstable. The effect, companies that make the shoes say, is similar to using a wobble board or balance board in a gym. To stand or walk in these shoes, you must engage more muscles than you do using regular shoes, the companies say. Manufacturers recommend you wear them during your normal activities, starting with short periods until you get used to them.