Toning Shoes Lawsuits Filed

Boston, MAToning shoes lawsuits have been filed against the makers of various toning shoes, alleging wearers suffered toning shoes injuries as a result of wearing the shoes. Although many of the toning shoes, including Reebok EasyTone and Skechers Shape-ups shoes, were allegedly advertised as helping people get into shape, some critics argue that those claims are baseless, and the shoes do not provide any health benefits.

Toning shoes are athletic shoes that have a so-called "rocker bottom," which is marketed as forcing the wearer's leg muscles to work harder during normal activities, thereby improving muscle tone. The shoes are designed to be somewhat unstable, changing how the wearer walks. Marketing for the shoes advertised that they would tone up the wearer's legs, promote weight loss, improve the wearer's posture and reduce the stress on the wearer's joints.

Critics of the shoes argue that there is no proven benefit to wearing the shoes over wearing regular athletic shoes while exercising. A study commissioned by the American Council on Exercise (ACE) reportedly showed that wearers of the shoes showed no significant benefits in muscle activation when wearers wore the shoes while exercising.

The Federal Trade Commission even got involved, filing a lawsuit against Reebok over its claims that its toning shoes would strengthen calf and hamstring muscles by 11 percent. Reebok settled the lawsuit for $25 million without admitting wrongdoing. Money from the settlement will go to refunding customers.

Perhaps more troubling, however, are concerns that the shoes are reportedly linked to serious injuries. At least one lawsuit has been filed alleging a woman who wore Skechers Shape-ups for five months while working and exercising developed stress fractures in both her hips, despite having normal bone density. Some critics say that because the shoes force the wearer to change her gait, the stresses on the bones and connective tissue also changes, increasing the risk of chronic injuries including stress fractures, ruptured Achilles tendons and soft tissue damage.

Furthermore, because the shoes are inherently unstable, the wearer runs the risk of suffering injury from a fall. Injuries sustained as a result of falls from the toning shoes, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, include broken bones.