Which Trainer - Comparisons ?

Brand

Toning Benefits : Weight Loss Statistics

Research Available to Support Weight Loss Statistics

Posture Benefits

Other Health Benefits

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Tester Review

Tester Comparison Comments

Earth Footwear

Burns 4x more body fat than standard footwear

Yes

The 3.7 degree incline in the sole of Earth footwear subtly shifts your body weight back improving the posture.

The improvement of the posture makes breathing easier and strengthens the core muscles. Earth footwear also increases your stamina and improves fitness levels overall.

5/5

5/5

Earth shoes are great because if you like the technology, thanks to the vast amount of styles, you can change your whole lifestyle and never wear a ‘bad’ pair of shoes again! I wear my Earth shoes to work and my Earth trainers when I’m at the gym so I can feel the benefits all day long. The Negative Heel technology doesn’t take much time to get used to and it actually feels quite natural. Although I didn’t buy them primarily for weight loss purposes it is easy to see how they tone – as your heel is lower than your toes, you walk at a slight incline, meaning you recruit more muscles and make them work harder. Even though there have been clinical studies behind these shoes, proving they burn 4 times more body fat, I’d still believe in their mega toning benefits because of how my legs feel after I’ve been for a walk in them! I initially bought Earth shoes as I suffered from back pain but thankfully these shoes make me stand up straight and have cured my back ache - they are truly brilliant. The closest comparison to Earth shoes to their Negative Heel Technology is the chung shi, but there is really no competition. The Chung she have cut out the heel of the shoe, which I feel really throws you off balance, so didn’t help my back, and looks awful.

Reebok EasyTone

Increases muscle activation by:

28% more muscle use in the Gluteus Maximus

11% more muscle use in the Hamstrings

11% more muscle use in the Calves

Yes

n/a

As the trainers are so comfortable, wearing them is enjoyable which helps to encourage a longer duration of activity. 

5/5

5/5

Reebok EasyTone are absolutely fantastic. Out of all the toning shoes on the market these and Earth shoes seem to have a really unique concept. Reebok EasyTone use the addition of balance pods on the soles of their trainers which are very bouncy and great fun to walk in. You do have to think about the way your walking and make sure you’re balancing, which is a challenge and makes them interesting to wear. I’ve had no problem walking round all day in these, simply because they’re so comfortable, but you also do feel the work out too – which is always good. I love the style of these trainers as they come in fashionable colours and designs and I’d say that they look the most like “normal” trainers of the bunch.

Reebok RunTone

Encourages muscle activation
Enhances strength and stamina
Increases blood flow
Strengthens the core
Tones the calves, thighs and bottom

No

n/a

As the RunTone are so comfortable, wearing them is enjoyable which helps to encourage a longer duration of activity. 

5/5

5/5

Unlike other toning shoes the Reebok Runtone have been specifically designed to be worn while running. The balance pods are shallow so they don’t throw you off balance when running and the grip strip at the front helps to stabilise your stride. Although you can feel these trainers work and your muscle work harder, they are also exceptionally comfortable so you can run for longer in them without experiencing aches and pains. If you are a keen runner and want to intensify your workout then I would opt for these.

Reebok TrainTone

Encourages muscle activation
Enhances strength and stamina
Increases blood flow
Strengthens the core
Tones the calves, thighs and bottom

No

n/a

As the TrainTone are so comfortable, wearing them is enjoyable which helps to encourage a longer duration of activity. 

5/5

5/5

A problem some people have found with toning shoes is the limited activities you can do in them. The Reebok TrainTone have been designed to be worn during exercise classes or at the gym so you can intensify your workout and increase the exercise value. Like the EasyTone and RunTone, the TrainTone are really comfortable to wear but you can feel them working your muscles. They are available in some great styles so they look great too.

Reebok ZigTech

None

n/a

n/a

The Reebok ZigTech Trainers return energy back to the wearer at the forefoot to propel them forward with each step; this reduces the wear and tear on the key leg muscles by up to 20%. 

5/5

5/5

These were really comfortable from the moment I put them on but I wasn’t sure whether I would notice the energy return. You can feel the encouragement with each step in these trainers and I found that I could run for longer. Some critics have questioned why you wouldn’t want your muscles to work as hard but the key with the ZigTech is that you are protecting your muscles from wear and tear so you can perform for longer and recover faster, therefore you won’t have to miss out on training sessions due to injuries.

Skechers Shape Ups

Increases back endurance by 37% and glutei (bottom) strength by 47%.

Yes

The dynamic rolling sole improves the posture.

The rolling sole and soft foam insert help to absorb the shock when walking on hard surfaces to protect and cushion the joints. Skechers Shape Ups also improve blood circulation.

4/5

4/5

I was sceptical about these to begin with because they look a little difficult to walk in. However, when I first put them on I was pleasantly surprised with how comfortable and natural they feel. Of course you feel a little higher than if you were in flats but these are so cushioned and the sole is so gentle that they’re very easy to adjust to and walk in straight away. There is an inner very soft section of the sole that runs from the heel to the toe. This part is responsible for making your muscles work harder when you walk and also absorbs the shock on impact when walking which is great if you suffer from joint problems. They felt very similar to walking on sand actually, but with more of a rock to your walk. Not only did I feel these work my bottom area but also my thighs and there was a definite positive adjustment to posture too. These Shape Ups are similar in look to the MBTs, however Skechers felt much more substantial and comfortable and the soft wedge in the sole runs from the heel to the toe, whereas MBT only have a soft section on the sole. I feel that really lets them down.

Skechers Tone Ups

Rev up metabolism
Encourage Weight Loss
Gentle on the joints
Strengthens core muscles
Increases circulation
Improves Posture

No

The soft kinetic sole of Skechers Tone Ups help improve the posture.

The soft kinetic sole absorbs the shock when walking to protect the joints while the intensified exercise helps to increase blood flow and improve circulation.

5/5

3/5

Skechers Tone Ups are a great summer flip flop, the trendy styles look brill and they feel amazing too so I can wear them all the time! Their technology is different to the Skechers Shape Ups, they don’t have the same curved sole, but they do have a soft area in the sole that has a similar ‘walking on sand’ effect. This means that all the impact on your joints is cushioned as well as making you work a little harder. I was surprised to hear there was no supporting weight loss/toning research behind these flip flops as they most definitely have me a workout! In terms of comparison, FitFlops are most like these, however I think that goes for the style stakes only, as FitFlop use a different technology. Personally, for the price, I’d opt for Tone Ups every time.

Ecco Biom B

None

n/a

These trainers encourage a natural stance and in doing so they help to improve the posture.

The biomechanically designed footbed of these trainers encourages a natural running motion and helps to strengthen key muscles in the feet and legs.

5/5

4/5

Ecco Biom B Trainers give a great running motion, you can feel the foot roll forward in a natural motion and the support is firm rather than over cushioned. The yak leather is very comfortable and moulds closely to the foot for a great fit while the trainers also look great thanks to the vivid colour options available.
These are a great style for those who want to make a transition to barefoot running without diving straight in and also for those who want a more natural running shoe without the unnecessary features that are included in most modern trainer designs.

Ecco Biom Walk

None

n/a

These trainers encourage a natural stance and in doing so they help to improve the posture.

The biomechanically designed footbed of these trainers encourages a natural walking motion and helps to strengthen key muscles in the feet and legs.

5/5

4/5

The Ecco Biom Walk Trainers are designed specifically for walking and they encourage a great natural stride thanks to the slightly curved heel and flexible sole.
The Biom Walk Trainers stabilise the feet when walking but they don’t feature any over cushioning which can hinder the foot’s natural movement and desensitise them to the ground underfoot. The yak leather upper moulds to the foot when walking and fells like a second skin and it also exceptionally durable.
It’s worth remembering that these are serious walking trainers and the price point does reflect that.

Vivo Barefoot Evo

None

n/a

These trainers give a barefoot stance and realign the body from the toes upwards. All the muscles sit in their natural position – this improves the posture.

The barefoot design of these trainers helps to strengthen key muscles in the feet and legs and improves the alignment of whole body starting from the toes.

5/5

5/5

I had only tried barefooting when walking and this was my first time in barefoot running shoes. Evo offer a smooth ride and it is amazing for your feet to feel so free and to be able to connect with the ground. Evo Trainers are exceptionally flexible and although the sole is ultra thin it still offers protection from debris on the ground.
I would warn anyone who is interested in trying barefoot running to build up your stamina first, you will be amazed at the different muscles that you use, however once you have got up to speed there is no going back!

Aura

None

n/a

n/a

The Spring Technology in Aura Trainers reduces the pressure on the joints and spine and helps to reduce wear and tear on the muscles.

4/5

4/5

I hadn’t heard of spring technology trainers before so I was interested to see how they would perform. The Aura Trainers are very comfortable to walk and run in, the springs in the heel give a great bounce to every step and they are very easy to get used to.
I did notice less aches and pains after running in Aura trainers, especially the morning after when I would usually have twinges in my lower back. The trainers also look great which is an added bonus

Chung Shi

None

Yes

The cut out sole forces the body weight backwards which improves the posture.

By intensifying your workout the circulation in the legs and feet is improved. The reflexology zones in the feet are also activated.

2/5

1/5

I didn’t like the look or the feel of these. The heel being cut out of the sole is, in my opinion, too extreme and rather difficult to walk in. I felt myself slamming my heel down quite hard, as if I was expecting it to hit the floor earlier, then panicking that the floor wasn’t there. I thought that this movement could really strain my thighs and calves if I wore them for much longer as well as causing undue pressure to my ankles and heels. In comparison, the Earth shoes I tested which also work on the principle of a lower heel were some of the comfiest, easiest shoes I have ever walked in – in a different league really.

Fit Flop

Increased leg, calf and gluteal muscle activity
Improve muscle tone

Yes

By mimicking the gait of walking barefoot these sandals help to encourage a natural walking style and improves the posture.

The wobble board sole absorbs shock when walking and reduces pressure on the joints.

5/5

2/5

FitFlops seem to be advertised everywhere, so before I tested them I had rather high expectations. To be honest, I don’t think they live up to the hype that surrounds them. You can feel the ‘wobble board’ in the middle, but I didn’t feel that it worked me, more that it cushioned me. In that sense, it was really comfortable. However, it is a high price to pay for merely comfortable shoes. If you’re looking for something to tone and increase weight loss however, in comparison to Fitflop, I’d either opt for Earth flip flops, their Negative Heel gave me much more of challenge and I could feel the work out or Skechers Tone ups which come in similar fashion led styles but offer a more intense toning experience.

Power Diet

Increase muscle activity through extra weights in the sole

No

By intensifying the workout these trainers help to increase your stamina and improve your overall health.

4/5

3/5

The concept of these shoes reminds me of that old phrase – ‘does exactly what it says on the tin’. They have removable weighted insoles that work in a way similar to ankle weights, however as the weight is distributed under the whole foot it works the muscles more evenly preventing strains and pulls. As the weights are in the soles and fixed, they’re also really easy to walk in and to get in to a good groove with. Like the Skechers Tone Ups, I was surprised these have had no research done on them yet, maybe because it is so obvious what heavy weights on your feet will do when you walk! They really helped to intensify my walking, they increased my heart rate and gave me a very good aerobic work out when I walked in them. They’d benefit from a little more cushioning if I was being picky, but all in all they were comfortable and gave me a great feeling.

Tonewalker

Increase muscle activity by increasing the need to balance

No

By intensifying the workout these trainers help to increase your stamina and improve your overall health.

2/5

5/5

My first thought when I saw these was ‘how on earth….’ However my first thought when I had them on was ‘oh wow!! They aren’t built to pound the streets, which is a good job because I’d get too many looks, but it is obvious when you have them on that they’re built to engage your balance and control. As such, I wore mine round the house and really felt like I was learning about the key stances you’d use in yoga. My movements when standing and stretching in them were slow and controlled and I could really feel my calves and thighs being worked.

MBT

None

Yes

The rolling sole encourages you to stand up straighter and improves the posture.

The rolling sole encourage a natural git whilst reducing the pressure on the joints and easing tension in the neck and back.

3/5

1/5

I have heard many things said about MBTs and they tend to be synonymous with health and wellness shoes. The first issue I came across with MBTs was that they had to be properly fitted otherwise they can rub excessively and cause blisters. When I put them on I had to get used to walking in them as unlike the Skechers Shape Ups they do take some getting used to and as advised I took them off after half an hour. After about a week I felt comfortable enough to wear them for a walk and could feel the difference to my posture thanks to the rolling sole. Every step felt very cushioned but they don’t have the same toning benefits as Skechers Shape Ups and are a lot more expensive. If you are looking to start a new exercise regime I wouldn’t recommend these as a lot of time is wasted just learning how to walk in them. For similar results I would opt for Skechers Shape Ups which have a more user friendly design.

Spring Boost

The Dorsiflexion construction increases muscle activity and encourages toning and weight loss.

Yes

As the heels are positioned lower than the ball of the feet it shifts the body weight back and improves the posture.

By intensifying the workout they improve blood circulation and help to improve the health overall.

3/5

2/5

I wasn’t sure about these trainers as they seem to promise a lot of different features, as with Earth footwear the main feature was the Dorsiflexion sole which shifted the body weight back to improve the posture. There was also a rolling plate placed under the sole which was supposed to create a rolling movement when walking but it was hard to distinguish whether this was actually working. It was hard to decide on these trainers as they seem to feature a pick and mix of the existing technologies in other trainers and as the individual styles are geared towards different exercises if you walk and run you have to buy two separate pairs which can add up! For a trainer with similar features but which can be used for multiple exercises I’d choose Earth footwear as it’s much more versatile.