Maybe they can. I’ve seen some results with a brand unknown in the US.

By now most people are familiar with those negative heel shoes that are supposed to help you lose weight and fat - just by wearing them. So far the most popular ones are the Swiss brand known as MBT; they are engineered to make you feel like you are walking barefoot in the sand - like the Maasai people of Kenya. A MBT salesperson told me that the shoes will boost muscle activity in legs, decrease stress on knees and hip joints - and by engaging more muscles I'll burn more calories. And - I'd need to watch a video to learn how to walk in them.

I wanted to try these sneakers/shoes as I am a distance walker - but the price tag was a turn off. Everywhere I checked - they were running about $250.00. So I kept putting it off. Then the Swiss introduced another shoe known as the SpringBoost - designed to always have your heel lower than the ball of your foot and therefore naturally engages more muscle fiber. They are nearly half the price of MBT - but still kind of expensive for me to just test out.

However, a few years ago, while living in Seoul, I happened to be in an Emart superstore and passed a Korean version of these shoes on display (see photos below). A video was playing a most convincing short movie about all the benefits which are like the MBT.

So I asked myself - will they improve posture?

I have no back problems so that was not a concern - perhaps I can prevent the problems then

Will they tone and strengthen my legs, abdominals and buttocks just by walking in them?

For the sale price of about $69.00, I decided I would try a black pair. I took them home and couldn’t wait to lace them up.

Immediately, I staggered around a bit but I did notice that I straightened up instantly - it felt good. Once outside in the street I did find myself feeling a bit off balance. But it only took a couple days for me to get used to them.

Are my thighs firmer? I think so. But what about weight loss? Probably. But not because of anything that the shoes are doing. I think it is because I can walk miles in these shoes with absolutely no discomfort, no tired legs, no achy feet or arches - I can't do that with regular sneakers or shoes. Just being able to walk comfortably for miles I suspect it what led to the improvement in muscle tone and the slight weight loss. I'm a city person and like to walk everywhere - these shoes allow me to walk for miles - comfortably.

They are addictive too. I simply cannot imagine not wearing these and wearing traditional sneakers - there is no comparison to comfort. After about 2 ½ years the shoes are beginning to show some wear but I do not know where to buy the Korean version in the USA.

I didn't know what to do but I recently read about a new shoe called Fit Flops (and flip flops are my favorite shoe!) that run about $50.00. Very popular in the UK and a recent (and constantly sold out) item here. These shoes are supposed to activate what is called slow-twitch muscles - which is what gives long distance runners their long lean muscles.

Maybe I will try the Fit Flops.