Several brands of shoes claim to not only look good, but help you look better. One brand is called Chung Shi shoes, and they're not cheap. The shoes cost between $249-$300 dollars a pair. Chung Shi shoes have a rocker sole and the heel is at a 15 degree angle which sets it higher than the rest of the shoe.
Joe Dyament has been wearing rocker shoes for more than a year. He hasn't lost a lot of weight, but Joe says he has built muscle. "Because these shoes help activate neglected muscles what I found was a lot more firmness in my legs, the thigh muscles, also the calf muscles."
Muscle does burn more calories than fat and if you build strength and work out more often you actually could lose weight. Dr. Jeffrey Michaelson is a sports medicine specialist. He's not sure any shoe can help you shed the pounds.
Dr. Michaelson says, "I would love the concept, I can't tell you there's any real scientific data that would suggest that."
The doctor is intrigued, however, by the higher heel on Chung Shi and similar shoes.
"It forces the center of gravity, the body's center of gravity forward, which then forces you to engage your core muscles, your abdominals, your lower back muscles," said Dr. Michaelson.
Victoria's Secret also sells a shoe called the Fit Flop which is much more affordable at under $50. A similar brand for sale, MBT, is supposed to be based on the gait of the African Masai tribe, who always walk barefoot.
Dr. Michaelson wouldn't recommend any of these shoes to someone who has balance problems. But, they might just be the thing for someone looking to add a little something extra to their workout.
