Trim Your Lower Body Just By Wearing The Right Type Of Shoes
Whilst walking barefoot through a rice field in Korea, Swiss engineer Karl Muller realised that his backache, which he suffered with, had improved significantly. He did some additional research and discovered that the Masai tribesmen of Africa did not suffer from bad backs. They are also famous for their excellent posture.
Reviewing the evidence, Muller concluded that walking barefoot on soft, yielding ground was much better for your back and joints than walking on firm surfaces. He decided to try to produce a shoe which would replicate the effects of walking like this on a soft surface such as sand or grass.
The final result was the Masai Barefoot Technology (MBT) shoe. In fact, according to the company website, it is so different to a conventional shoe that it merits the name of “anti-shoe”.
MBT shoes have a specially engineered curved sole without a heel, which encourages a gentle rolling action when your foot makes contact with the ground. Just like walking barefoot on sand in fact. The use of different density materials in different areas also adds to the effect by further minimizing impact shock and jarring.
Independent tests have verified that this is genuinely better for your back and joints. As well as better posture, there are other proven benefits. For instance, when walking normally in MBT shoes, the wearer’s muscles will be in use for longer (in comparison with similar walking in conventional footwear). The muscles work for around 16% longer. Wearers also tend to “walk properly” and take somewhat shorter strides. Both of these effects raise the amount of work done.
The upshot of this is that each and every step you take whils wearing MBT shoes is providing you with ”free” exercise. It’s a lower body exercise session while you walk. So, in addition to reducing back pain and enhancing posture, MBT shoes also help to tone your legs and trim your buttocks.
You would imagine that would be enough wouldn’t you? However, in spite of these benefits some people find MBT shoes a little chunky and not very easy on the eye. They are also a little pricey (although considering the potential benefits they may well be great value for money). Fortunately there are now alternative, more cosmetically appealing, offerings available which are based upon the same basic design. Both Skechers Shape Ups and Fitflops Fitflops have similar curved soles which are specially engineered to increase the muscle activity duration and tone your buttocks and legs whilst engaged in everyday, normal walking activity.
Whichever footwear you opt for, the possibility of reducing back and joint pain whilst simultaneously exercising your lower body – without needing to visit the gym – seems very attractive.
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