Exercise Your Lower Body With Every Step You Take
Whilst walking barefoot through a paddy field in Korea, Swiss engineer Karl Muller noticed that his backache, which was a problem for him, was quite a bit better. He did some further 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 hard surfaces. He decided to try to develop a shoe which would replicate the effects of walking in this manner 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 deserves 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 comes into 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 reducing impact shock and jarring.
Independent tests have verified that this is genuinely better for your back and joints. In addition to better posture, there are further proven benefits. For instance, whilst walking normally in MBT shoes, the wearer’s muscles will be activated for longer (when compared to similar walking in conventional shoes). The muscles work for around 16% longer. Wearers also tend to “walk properly” and take slightly shorter strides. Both of these effects raise the amount of work done.
The upshot of this is that 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, as well as reducing back pain and improving posture, MBT shoes also help to trim your buttocks and tone up your legs.
You would imagine that would be enough wouldn’t you? However, despite all of these benefits some people find MBT shoes a little chunky and not very pleasing to the eye. They are also a little pricey (although considering the possibilities they may well be well worth the money). Fortunately there are now other, more cosmetically appealing, offerings available which utilise the same basic theory. Both Skechers Shape Ups and Fitflops Fitflops have similar curved soles which are specially designed to increase the muscle activity duration and tone your buttocks and legs whilst engaged in everyday, normal walking activity.
Whichever footwear you select, the possibility of reducing back and joint pain whilst simultaneously exercising your lower body – without the need for a visit to the gym – looks very attractive.
Tags: nutrition, exercise, Health
