Trim Your Lower Body With Every Step You Take

Posted 2 November, 2009 in Fitness Workout

While walking barefoot through a paddy field in Korea, Swiss engineer Karl Muller realised that his backache, which he suffered with, was quite a bit better. He did some additional research and found that the Masai tribesmen of Africa did not suffer from bad backs. They were also famous for their superior posture.

Putting two and two together, Muller deduced 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 develop a shoe which would mimic the effects of walking barefoot on a soft surface such as sand or grass.

The end 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 designed curved sole without a heel, which promotes a gentle rolling action when your foot makes contact with the ground. Just like walking barefoot on grass in fact. The use of materials of different densities in different areas also contributes to the effect by further minimizing impact shock and jarring.

Scientific studies have verified that this is genuinely better for your back and joints. In addition to better posture, there are other proven benefits. For example, whilst 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 slightly shorter strides. Both of these effects increase the amount of work done.

The end result of this is that each step you take whils wearing MBT shoes is providing you with extra exercise. It’s a lower body training session while you walk. So, as well as improving back pain and enhancing posture, MBT shoes also help to tone your legs and trim your buttocks.

You would imagine that would be sufficient wouldn’t you? However, despite all 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 worth every penny). Fortunately there are now alternative, more cosmetically appealing, offerings available which utilise the same basic design. Both Skechers Shape Ups and Fitflops Fitflops have similar curved soles which are specially engineered to increase the muscle activity timespan and tone your legs and buttocks whilst engaged in normal, everyday 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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