Too Good To Be True??? MBT Shoes: One Woman's Tale

We've heard it all. Eat bacon, lose weight. Pyramid schemes make you rich. Cure baldness with a vibrating brush. Well, it will cure SOMETHING, anyway.

I always find it fascinating when otherwise intelligent, educated people fall prey to these illusory, sometimes fanatical ideas.

On the other hand, when I get a recommendation from a trusted source, I can't help but become infected with their enthusiasm, if not to buy in immediately, to at least spend some time researching its merits.

Thus, I found myself online, perusing the MBT site.

Basically, these look like running shoes for Frankenstein. I'd give them a low 2 of 10 for appearance. However, fashion is not the impetus for throwing down $250 for these shoes.

Here is what the website says:
1. Improved posture
2. 9% buttock muscle activity
3. 19% rear thigh muscle activity
4. 18% lower limbs activity
5. Increased abdominal activity
6. 19% DECREASE in hip and knee joints

How could I resist this temptation? I ran out and bought a pair the next day; white with bright orange stripes. Still ugly, but a meek attempt to look somewhat hip.....

First, the soles are uniquely designed, patented even, to create a fulcrum on which you balance as you walk or stand. What I found is that you can't stand perfectly still because you are literally constantly rocking back and forth on this point, which causes your leg muscles, all of 'em, to flex to balance. Yes, I know this sounds awkward, and it is initially, but not dangerous unless you are really, really uncoordinated and lame...in which case, you need more help than these shoes can offer.

For those of us who rise above that, then I can only say this: These shoes are the BOMB.

I wore them for a few months over the winter last year, trying to wear them as often as possible, which was generally during the day, running errands. After a week or so, I no longer noticed the unusual sole (which might be compared to walking in sand) and gradually overcame that feeling of mild fatigue and soreness at the end of each day. The GOOD sore, which is earned. I might also mention that my posture improved, which is an enormous benefit for me.

Within a couple weeks, I was actively rocking on my heels whenever I stood still, and get this, actually felt that I was getting the greatest benefit from these shoes while I was standing, rather than walking. I became addicted to that subtle rocking, as a mother does while holding a baby; you just can't stop.

So, what does this mean? Should neurotic rocking make people buy these shoes, or head for therapy? This reminds me of the article I read years ago about foot-shakers vs non-foot-shakers and the correlation with weight. But that's another story.....

The proof is in the pudding, as they say. After a long, brutal winter here in the Pacific Northwest, bundled with layer upon layer of fleece and down for many dark months, I finally emerged in the late spring with a pair of shorts on my pale legs for the first time. And guess what? I had muscle tone, VISIBLE muscle tone!

From running you ask? Nay! I'm not alone in burrowing indoors in the winter and avoiding exercise at all costs, and running was simply out of the question in the rain. I SWEAR that the only explanation is from wearing those MBTs.

Here is my advice: If you are going to buy them, go to a store that carries them. Try them on and walk around. I found that they run very small. There are several online companies that carry them, but you really should try them on first to be sure on size. I also purchased a pair of MBT sandals for a long roadtrip this summer. While they were far superior to regular sandals, the benefits described above were significantly diminished relative to the enclosed shoes. I'm not sure why, but suspect it's due to the reduced support around the foot.


Needless to say, I am a convert, an evangelist. People stop me all the time and ask me about them. Apparently the word is out. Effortless exercise....I'm all over it!