"脚部锻炼鞋"热销英国 闲逛也可练美腿

　　The Daily Telegraph reported on October 14 that a kind of "gym on your feet" footwear is flooding the mareket, which could tone up your legs and bum without having to resort to endless lunges and squats。

　　It all started with MBTs (Masai Barefoot Technology)， the chunky "anti-shoe". Research showed that the rolling action of the soles really could relieve back, neck and joint pain for many people and – as an added bonus – they helped to tone the lower body and burn more calories。

　　Then FitFlops swept the UK with their funky sandals, furry boots and, new for this autumn, a fabulous platinum sneaker. Studies at the Centre for Human Performance at the London South Bank University showed that normal walking in the sandals increased leg, calf and gluteal muscle activity and improved posture and muscle tone。

　　The key lies in the soles – two rounded balance pods underneath the heel that create a slight instability with each step that forces your muscles to work harder to adapt. It’s a bit like walking on uneven sand. Reebok says this increases muscle activity in the glutes by 28 percent and in the calves and hamstrings by 11 percent。

　　However, these forms of functional footwear aren’t multi-purpose; even the EasyTone trainers are limited in their use. Because of their inherent instability they are not recommended for running, aerobics or playing sports。

　　Strength coach Michael Pellegrino also sounds a note of caution. "There is no substitute for real exercise and you should always choose footwear that is supportive to the feet and ankles," he says. He approves of MBTs as they "teach good posture and core control" but is unconvinced by the others. "They are gimmicks," he says. "They do make muscles work harder but not necessarily in a good way."