Reebok Easytone

January is the month of fads, diets and workout programs that promise to get you fit, lose weight and feel better. Amongst a lot of the same old, same old is a new item demanding lots of attention; the Reebok Easytone Sneeker. In light of it rapidly becoming the number one requested workout equipment, I thought it deserved a look.
The Easytone Sneeker is not new technology or even a new fitness concept. The Easytone joins the MBT?s, RYN, Z-Coil and FitFlop as footwear that promises to improve fitness help you lose weight and reduce injuries while you walk for fitness or mobility. The premise is a shoe that incorporates ?stability balls under the heels and forefoot to create a natural instability.? This instability causes the muscles to adapt and cause toning. Reebok states that the experience is similar to walking on a sandy beach, increasing gluteus maximus activation by 28% and calf and hamstring activation by 11%.
The Easytone is not recommended for any activity other than walking, so it is not a good gym shoe and definitely not a good running shoe. While improving the performance of the larger glute muscle is beneficial the gluteus medius muscle is the stabilizer of the hip joint and specific strengthening of this muscle will help prevent knee injuries and maximize the potential power of quadriceps. Before purchasing these shoes be aware that all studies related to printed claims only involved 500 steps and that Reebok acknowledges the principal of adaptation. Adaptation explains why beginning exercisers are often sore after starting a new routine, but after doing the same exercise for weeks and months they have little, if any, muscle soreness. It allows you to become very efficient and to expend less energy doing the same movements. This reinforces the need to vary a workout routine if you want to see continued improvement such as walking longer or adding hills to your route.
The Easytone may be a good idea for you if you are just getting started with your fitness plan after being sedentary for a period of time and are injury free. About every four weeks change your walking routine by going longer, adding elevation changes or the speed of your walking. Whatever encourages you to get out and get active can be a positive move for your health and fitness.
The Easytone may not be a good idea for you if you are already physically active, if you are recovering from an injury or are looking for a new shoe to do anything other than walk in. The destabilizing effects of the Easytone are an important concept but may be better addressed as a separate workout from your aerobic component. Many individuals require more stability not less in their footwear to prevent lower body injuries but can add a stabilizing component to their weight training to build strength and awareness in their ankles and feet.
Finally any piece of equipment including shoes only has the potential to fulfill their claims if they are used.