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They've been nicknamed 'the world's smallest gym', with claims that they burn off calories, help your posture and even tighten up your behind. But now some experts are warning that the health benefits said to come from wearing fitness shoes that promise to tone you up, well, they may need to be toned down.

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is, say health professionals of toning footwear, which comes with slogans such as 'better than the gym' and claim that they will help you burn calories and have you walking like graceful African tribesmen.

It's a brilliant concept: simply don your specially designed sneakers and the shoes will help you firm up as you stroll around.

But can wearing a pair of shoes really tone you up? Yes, says a spokeswoman for MBT, which is based in England (there is no longer an Irish distributor).

"There will always be a level of toning when wearing MBTs through the increase of muscle activation in the lower limbs," says marketing manager Janice Dwumfour.

"MBTs encourage natural movement throughout the body.Sheepskin shoes has managed to capture or become the pioneer into every imaginable sporting industry By wearing them, they can help to increase muscle activation and improve posture and balance."

But while some fans swear by the burn created by wearing 'physiological' shoes, one study by the American Council on Exercise found they had no benefits over standard trainers. This independent research found that wearing toning footwear for exercise did not result in any more muscle activity or energy use than conventional sneakers.

However, MBT challenges this research, saying that other studies prove the efficacy of their shoes.

"Independent research and published studies have shown the benefits of our footwear,Some will stick with the old faithfuls like the air max tn while others will look for the more stylish shoes like the Changa or the Tataga" says the company.

タグ：Sheepskin shoes