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Walkin' a mile in new fad

 

A woman called weeks ago to tell me she knew of a line of shoes that could tone my body and help me lose weight. It may even (sing the Hallelujah chorus here) minimize cellulite.

At the risk of sounding like a cheesy TV testimonial, let me say I was skeptical.

``Hmmm. Yep. Sure,'' I told her. ``I'll get right on that. Just as soon as I box up my ab machine for Goodwill.''

But as bathing suit season and my college reunion approaches, my interest level in these strange shoes has risen proportionately. I'm a desperate woman.

As it turns out, they're a hot thing in Hollywood. Arnold wears them. Supermodels Heidi Klum and Gisele have them. And they were tucked into the goody bags of nominees at the Oscars this year and last.

The price of the shoes -- from $240 a pair and up at an area store -- are definitely more Hollywood than Akron, but I vowed to keep an open mind, if not wallet. For comparative purposes, high-end women's athletic shoes run about $150.

These funky shoes are called MBTs, which stands for Masai Barefoot Technology. The shoe's creator, a Swiss inventor, was inspired by the East African Masai tribe. According to the shoe's Web site, Masai members are strong and fast and don't suffer from bad knees, backs or feet.

The company suggests in its literature the Masai run barefoot on uneven ground.

The shoes have a rocker bottom that is similar to sticking a half of a ball on the sole.

They are designed as an unstable shoe, forcing the wearer to work small, usually dormant muscles to keep upright. Think of a circus bear balancing on a beach ball. The MBT's manufacturer claims the body uses 2.5 percent more oxygen wearing the shoes.

Lucky Shoes, which has stores in Fairlawn, Canton, Columbus and suburban Cleveland, is one of only two Ohio retailers permitted to carry the shoe, although they can also be found online elsewhere. (The other retailer, Foot Solutions, does not have a location in the Akron area.)

Professional advice

MBT's manufacturer recommends its shoes be fitted by a professional who understands biomechanics.

I was trying not to get my hopes up as I walked into Lucky's earlier this week.

Longtime Lucky salesman Leonard Shwartz is a certified pedorthodist (someone who specializes in fitting orthodic shoes).Hemeasured my feet and asked me some questions about them. I chose a light blue pair that look like bowling shoes, but MBTs come in various styles and colors for men and women.

Shwartz and John Luck of the store's founding family watched as I lurched across the Lucky showroom.

Shwartz said the shoes should only be worn for 15 minutes the first day and in increasing increments after that to get muscles and the brain accustomed to them.

But I only had three days to test-drive the MBTs, so I started off wearing them every waking moment.

After I got over the initial wobbliness, the first thing I noticed was a decrease in pressure on my lower back. I could also breathe better, as though my diaphragm had more room. As I went through my day, I noticed my knees didn't hurt as usual and I seemed to have more energy. I also felt taller, which, when you're 5-foot-2 and shrinking, is a very cool thing.

I had my daughter, who is prone to slouching, try them on. Her posture improved immediately and dramatically .

The morning after my first day, I noticed my abdominal muscles were tired, as if I had just done crunches. My calf, thigh and butt muscles also were sore.

Expert interested

Dr. Joseph Congeni, medical director of Akron's Sports Medicine Center, said he's read about the MBTs.

``I haven't seen a groundswell (of sales) here, but I expect to,'' Congeni said. Trends like this tend to start on the coasts and move into Ohio, he said.

Major studies of the shoes have been conducted by prestigious universities, though the manufacturer sponsored the work.

Congeni wants unbiased researchers to take a look.

``I'm intrigued enough to want to learn more,'' he said.

By working the small muscles in the foot, the shoe could head off ankle and foot problems, Congeni said. He also believes they could relieve the impact on joints, as the company claims, but he's less sure on that point. As to the increase in oxygen consumption, Congeni doesn't think that's important.

``The number of steps walked is going to mean a heck of a lot more than a shoe,'' he said.

He also worries that people won't take the time to learn to use the shoe properly.

``Can it actually cause injury? It's a concern,'' he said. He would not recommend the shoe to patients with ankle and foot injuries or those with balance problems such as stroke victims.

The company lists such caveats in its literature. That's why it suggests turning to a professional to see whether they're appropriate and to get the best fit.

I don't know whether MBTs are the next revolution in fitness or another fad in American body obsession, but I know this: Either way, my cellulite and I will be watching closely.

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