Don't Step On My 'Lose Weight' Shoes...

By Roz Lewis

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They can apparently give you supermodel legs, banish cellulite and improve your posture. The latest form of exercise footwear are a health craze more of us are buying into – celebs like Sadie Frost, Cherie Blair and Jodie Kidd apparently love their MBTs, while Pierce Brosnan and Gwyneth Paltrow wear Earth shoes.

MBTs
Masai barefoot technology (MBT) is a Swiss designed shoe that works through a unique patented curved layer sole. With regular use, the body is said to lengthen into a tall, upright posture, thereby releasing pressure in the joints and the back, while using neglected muscle groups – in the target area of tummy and buttocks.

Do they work? Audrie Woodhouse, a 28 year old actress from North Yorkshire says: "I've been wearing MBTs for over 3 years. I first got a pair of sandals to wear in the summer, then a pair of trainers to exercise in. As I'm pretty fit and into exercise, it seemed a good idea, and it does seem to have worked. My posture is much better, and my whole body feels better when I wear them."

Earth Shoes
Negative heel technology was developed in the 1950s by Danish yoga instructor Anne Kalso. The shoe positions your heel lower than the toe, which corrects posture, reduces cellulite and tones the leg, buttock and tummy muscles, according to Glenys Berd, who runs the company Lovethoseshoes. I tried a white training shoe out – surprisingly this really did make quite a difference to how I walked and moved, although again, I found it hard to notice any real change in my bum or thighs. The shoe was light and easy to wear compared to the much heavier MBT.

Ciabasan Posture Trainers
This unisex footwear is a slipper type shoe that you wear in the house and which doesn't support your heel at all – you literally hang off the end of them. Allegedly, this half shoe stimulates your reflexology points as well as forces you to adopt a better posture. The shoes are said to improve circulation and lymphatic drainage, thus helping to reduce cellulite. I tried it out – blimey, it hurts your foot for a bit! But as a useful thing to be doing in the house for your posture, it's not bad. If you are dead serious about shoes that could change your life, these could be your indoor workout.

Do Any of Them Work?
Some research studies show that posture does improve when wearing these products, so it's not a total fad, although the prices can be offputting – expect to pay around £129 for a pair of MBTs – you have to find a stockist and go for a fitting; or Earth Shoes – around £115, available mail order via their website; while Ciabasan cost £80.

Resources:
mbt-uk.com
lovethoseshoes.com
backcareclinic.biz