Sketchers Shape-ups or Another Brand

Updated on March 24, 2011
J.S. asks from Georgetown, TX
18 answers

Hey all,

Just curious, has anyone tried any of the shape up tennis shoes? If so which is your favorite. A friend of mine loves her sketchers and says they do work your quads and help reduce pressure on her lower back but obviously there are several brands out there that claim to do the same. Feedback appreciated!

edit: my friend who wears them (I did see her wear them) and likes them is very fit, works out on a regular basis, eats well, and she's a doctor. She didn't say it made her butt look amazing or said skip the gym. As stated above she said they worked her quads and helped reduce pressure on her lower back =) She's on her feet all day and she's running around after her 4 year old at night. My question was about the different brands and if you have tried them. If you haven't tried them then, not to sound snippy, but please don't make assumptions.

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Featured Answers

C.H.

answers from Denver on

Just food for thought (& I mean this in the kindest most loving way, only my observations). Have you ever seen anyone wearing these, that is not a paid celebrity endorser, that you look at & say wow those shoes must be amazing--that person is in great shape. If only getting a great body was as easy as a pair of shoes & not being a celebrity who can afford all the personal trainers they want. My vote is that they are a scam & a fad so invest in a comfy pair of regular sneakers.

3 moms found this helpful

E.B.

answers from Seattle on

i have a pair. I bought two xmas ago with all my xmas money. They are now on a shelf in my garage i think. i wish i had the 120 back I shelled out for them when they were first out. some may get use and results. did nothing for me. my butt is still the same butt i had two xmas's ago.

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R.K.

answers from Boston on

In January there was an article on the top 10 biggest waist of money and those shoes made the list. Save your money and join the gym.

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T.N.

answers from Albuquerque on

The woman who runs the fitness classes at my gym says they're a total ripoff and might even hurt your back if you wear them too much. She's a Reebok certified trainer, has been a trainer to several celebrities, has her own line of workout DVDs, etc. so she knows what she's talking about!

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M.J.

answers from Sacramento on

My best friend is a personal trainer and she just laughs at these shoes. She has 100 jokes about why these shoes are a total rip-off and in fact, can hurt you.

Personally, I would invest in some good, normal walking shoes and get outside and walk or run to truly tone up those areas.

2 moms found this helpful
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M.A.

answers from Houston on

I think that they are back problems waiting to happen. JMO.

1 mom found this helpful

M.W.

answers from Chicago on

Well, my butt is "bootylicious" in my Destiny's Child voice! I love my shape ups! I was fortunate to get mine as a Christmas present 2 years ago. My legs are super nice also.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.P.

answers from Houston on

I have the Sketchers. The only reason I wear them is that they are one of tow pairs of shoes that I can wear when the bottom of feet act up and hurt.

The first time I wore them I felt soreness in my calves, thighs and an intense burning sensation in my hip joints. After that, nothing. I purchased mine just before the information came out about them being dangerous.

I don't wear mine for long periods of time (which they are not designed for) and really only when feet are bothering me. I already have back issues and don't need more.

I just get concerned when I feel twinges in my knee, have an orthopedic Dr. make comments on the neg. effects of these shoes on our health, and see news bites where women are suing b/c of damage done to them. ie,the young waitress who had to have both of her hips replaced!

Needless to say, I am in the shopping phase again for a supportive walking shoe or sneaker that doesn't aggravate my feet!

1 mom found this helpful

T.K.

answers from Dallas on

The guy at the shoe store told me those are a scam. I don't know that for a fact, but he wasn't trying to sell me expensive shoes. The ones he sold me were actually less expensive than the shape ups. Maybe you could research thier claims online and check which ones have the highest ratings from consumers.

1 mom found this helpful

M.S.

answers from Columbus on

I have the Sketchers- the only reason I bought them was because the were on sale for $40!! Otherwise, I would NOT have shelled out $100 for them. I used them to just walk around the house the first several weeks. It was February, here, and walking a couple miles was not in the cards. I did notice that there were muscles that were a little sore the next couple of days that I hadn't noticed, normally, with my routine workout of running. Now that it's getting nicer outside, I will definitely use them to walk with the dogs and my toddler for sure. I like them, because in the very least, they are super comfortable (for me, anyway).
* I saw the special sale on momswhosave.com - it was on the twitter feed. I think I just saw another notice that Sketchers (including shape-ups) were included in the 70% off sale. Go to twitter and follow momswhosave. Or, go to her website, by the same name- although, I think some of her deals are exclusive to twitter/facebook, etc. It would be worth a look, though!

1 mom found this helpful
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M.R.

answers from Austin on

I have the New Balance ones and they are by far the most comfortable shoes I have ever owned. I don't know how well they "work" but as far as comfortable workout shoes, I love them. And they just look like normal athletic shoes so that is a plus too!

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M.S.

answers from San Francisco on

I have the fila ones and they work! love em and they definitely give a work out. took a little to get used to them but now, I love them!

m

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T.J.

answers from Seattle on

I LOVE my Reebok runtones! Wore them to the zoo today and felt a burn where I usually don't, sides, butt, calves!

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S.M.

answers from Washington DC on

I have the Nikes. I don't know if they help or not, but I needed new sneakers and figured it wouldn't hurt. I don't like Sketchers in general because I think they are poorly made and a poor fit for my wide foot. Nike feels more like a real sneaker. However, I had trouble getting a wide size, but a half size bigger worked for me. Thing to keep in mind - if you don't were them while you work out, then you won't see results :)

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J.R.

answers from Houston on

I bought the Sketchers that look like MaryJanes. A couple of people I work with wear them and love them. I had trouble because my feet tend to be narrow and they don't come in a narrow width. I also find them to be heavy. Maybe that is to work your legs more. Would not buy them again.

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W.H.

answers from Phoenix on

I just got them a few weeks ago because I so badly needed new sneakers. I haven't noticed any soreness or a better butt (hilarious how they try to sell the shoes by saying you'll have a sexier butt. Yeah Right!) I only wore them around the house all day, no going out and hiking or anything with them. They are comfortable for me (I tried several pairs at the store & went with the one that felt best.)
The lady at the department shoe store where I first tried them was also wearing sketchers herself (a different style than the one I have) and she said she loved hers since she is on her feet all day long and when she started wearing these, she didn't have as much backache & tired feet as she used to. My back still hurts, it hasn't been miraculously cured but I need more exercise in general anyway.
Another thing the shoe sales lady said was to try them, take them home and wear them for a couple days around the house, you should know within a few days if they'll be comfortable and work for you. If not, take them back.

Just wearing these shoes are not going to make you be in shape any more than wearing something else and sitting at your computer is going to.

If you want, I can tell you the exact style I got, but I'll have to look as I don't remember right now. (I got silver-blue but don't remember the "name" of the shoe.)

I also first tried on a different brand of shape-ups shoes that were a little more than the Sketcher brand at regular price, but on sale was cheaper than the Sketchers. But I didn't like those. The sales lady also said that Sketchers made the original shape-ups and all the other companies followed. So knock-offs or as carefully designed, I dunno, she didn't know either. Bottom line, make sure they're comfortable for you. (and I wouldn't shell out $100 for them either but that's just me.)

C.J.

answers from Milwaukee on

I love my Reebok Easy Tones, they look better than Sketchers.

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