MBT shoes

[sr71blackbird]

http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/mtb_shoe1sm.jpg

http://feetfirstfitness.com/images/articles/spring2008MBT-chapa2.jpg

Anyone heard of these? Are they as good as they claim? Anyone try these and not like them?

I know they are a little unusual looking, but it makes a little sense why they'd work and strengthen you.

[sr71blackbird]

Link to video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQnof862ntE)

I cannot seem to imbed it.

[Fezticle98]

I think Xavier McDaniel used to wear that top pair.

What are they?

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/4650/strengthshoes202qr0.jpg

Jimmy loves his strength shoes!

[Reephdweller]

Link to video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQnof862ntE)

I cannot seem to imbed it.



maybe you should embed it.

[AngelAmy]

I think Xavier McDaniel used to wear that top pair.

What are they?

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/4650/strengthshoes202qr0.jpg

Jimmy loves his strength shoes!

when i was in high school our quarterback wore these around

[sr71blackbird]

maybe you should embed it.

Maybe I should embed my shoe in your touchas?

[Thebazile78]

I've heard about them.

MBT stands for "Masai Barefoot Technology" and were developed by a Swiss engineer as a way to relieve joint pain (http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A03E4DE1E38F937A35754C0A9629C8B 63&scp=4&sq=masai&st=nyt). They are named in honor of the Masai peopls of East Africa.

Basically what these butt-ugly shoes do is force your feet to strike with your heel first and roll your foot forward as you walk. In addition to the high price tag, you receive an instructional DVD and are directed to training classes so you can learn to walk in them. (Yes, you do have to be taught how to walk in these puppies ... that convex sole is not to be trifled with!)

I'm skeptical of the value of a shoe like this, especially seeing as how they were first marketed to Brits and Americans as "cellulite busters" ... but those folks who wear them swear by them.

I don't know about you, but I am perfectly content with my two pair of New Balance running shoes and my feet, ankles and knees are happy.

[MadMatt]

I've heard about them.

MBT stands for "Masai Barefoot Technology" and were developed by a Swiss engineer as a way to relieve joint pain (http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A03E4DE1E38F937A35754C0A9629C8B 63&scp=4&sq=masai&st=nyt). They are named in honor of the Masai peopls of East Africa.

Basically what these butt-ugly shoes do is force your feet to strike with your heel first and roll your foot forward as you walk. In addition to the high price tag, you receive an instructional DVD and are directed to training classes so you can learn to walk in them. (Yes, you do have to be taught how to walk in these puppies ... that convex sole is not to be trifled with!)

I'm skeptical of the value of a shoe like this, especially seeing as how they were first marketed to Brits and Americans as "cellulite busters" ... but those folks who wear them swear by them.

I don't know about you, but I am perfectly content with my two pair of New Balance running shoes and my feet, ankles and knees are happy.

Wearing MBT shoes is supposed to increase the muscle activity in the legs and buttocks. If I remember correctly, they claim to initiate 15-20% more muscular activity than wearing normal shoes or walking barefoot.

That's how they can be "cellulite busters" - not only are you exercising the "problem areas" more, but using large muscles (legs, back, etc.) helps you burn more energy/calories/fat faster.

I don't know all of the science behind it, and I don't know if their claims are true, but the concept seems to stand up. :smile:

[jonyrotn]

Maybe I should embed my shoe in your touchas?
:lol::lol: Very funny..Thank you..

[LaBoob]

I own a pair... I feel ridiculous wearing them, as everyone I know that sees them calls them my "special person shoes", and that's exactly how I feel... like the special shoe people have to wear when one leg is shorter than the other, except they're on both feet, so I feel extra "special".

The MBT people say you should work up to wearing them by starting to wear them for just 15 minutes for the first few days, 30 minutes next, then 1 hour, etc... but I just threw them on and walked around all day with them and didn't notice a dramatic change. They're fun to walk with and sometimes instead of rolling it's fun to bounce a little on them.

[sr71blackbird]

I ordered a pair last night on eBay, for $180 and it was cheaper than I saw anywhere else.
I got a pair that does not look like it will draw too much attention to my feet.
Over the weekend I saw a mother/daughter in the mall wearing them, and I did think they looked kind of like "special people" shoes.
I have knee problems and my posture is not the best and people say I walk a little funny, so hopefully these correct that, and if I lose a little weight in the bargain, what's the downside? Aside from looking goofy I mean..

[Thebazile78]

Wearing MBT shoes is supposed to increase the muscle activity in the legs and buttocks. If I remember correctly, they claim to initiate 15-20% more muscular activity than wearing normal shoes or walking barefoot.

That's how they can be "cellulite busters" - not only are you exercising the "problem areas" more, but using large muscles (legs, back, etc.) helps you burn more energy/calories/fat faster.

I don't know all of the science behind it, and I don't know if their claims are true, but the concept seems to stand up. :smile:

The idea is that the shoes make you adjust your overall gait and posture and force you to use muscles in your body you may not necessarily know you had.

And you cannot get rid of cellulite once you have it. (http://www.managecellulite.com/) (This means there's no hope for me.)

[sr71blackbird]

The shoes came in. They are very comfortable and springy. They seem to make me like 2 inches taller too! They look a little strange though, but I will try them and wear them to work with slightly longish pants to hide their shape.

[Fezticle98]

Those shoes remind me of the thread about the woman with the giant legs. She had some clompy shoes, like that dude on an episode of Extras.

I wear MTB shoes

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/5239/m06shoesptmtbblkgz6.jpg

[Mike Teacher]

My basketball coach he done kicked me off the team...

[sr71blackbird]

Holy Crapola!
I have been wearing these for 4 days and I realize that I have no more knee pain, and I can walk much further than I could have before!
I used to have to hold onto the hand rail to go down the steps, but now I just walk down and do not realize it!

[Tall_James]

Can I use them for "Mall Walking"?

[sr71blackbird]

Why not? I walked with my wife in mine for 4 miles outside. I noticed it most obviously in my knees tonight when I came home after work and walked down the stairs to my apartment. Usually I feel like I am going to fall unless I go one step at a time and hold onto the hand rail, and when I went down, I had bags in my hands and just went down as if I was 30 again. If anyone is having knee pain or thinking about surgery, maybe give this a try. I feel encouraged to walk more now.

[sr71blackbird]

Also, I was concerned that people would notice them right away and tease me, but so far, no one has said a word nor did it seem to catch their notice, which is good for me, because I like to keep a low profile.

[sr71blackbird]

I gotta say I am lovin these shoes. I walked tonight for the first time in months and I walked with zero difficulty right where I was at before I stopped walking. Plus, I used to always have difficulty coming down my steps when I finished my walk, but I had no difficulty tonight.
Its quite amazing. They are very expensive, but they have also helped me beyond value.

[pennington]

Bump.

How are the shoes working? Do you think they would help with lower back pain?