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Fitflops Review: the flip flops that tone your legs
I got an email from reader Mazie who told me about these shoes called Fitflops which supposedly tone your legs and butt while you walk. I was so blown away by this claim that I had to investigate.
Why this review of Fitflops is 100% biased
Alright. First let me start by saying I do not believe that these shoes tone your legs and butt. I am, in fact, firmly sticking to my view point that no shoe is ever going to tone your legs and butt. But that’s just me.
I also have not tried the shoes. You can buy them from Amazon here though.
However, I also believe that I do not have to try the shoes to know they don’t work. Sort of like I don’t need to try the latest late night TV gadget to know its a piece of junk.
So why am I so certain that these shoes will NOT tone your legs and butt? Simple. Do they burn fat? Do they help you control your diet? Do they provide a increasing level of resistance like weights workout would? No. I didn’t think so.
This site has thousands of daily readers, however, and I owe to to you to do an unbaised review of the Fitflop. Now that you know I have certain predisposed ideas of the product, lets get on with the review.
How Fitflops tone your legs and butt
Seeing as the Fitflop’s official website was down for a full day while I tried to research them I had to rely on this article for my quotes on how the company belives they help tone your butt and legs. They say:
“The FitFlop’s uniquely built multi-density midsole activates muscles midstep to help tone thighs, calves and glutes by slightly destabalizing the foot as one walks, creating a continuous tension in the leg and buttock muscles.”
Ah… what the…? Are you sure that is good for your posture? Creating a continuous tension by destabalizing the foot. That sounds unhealthy. This doctor said that flip flops are dangerous because women overuse them, the cause you to clench your toes and, yep, you guessed it, they are unstable. But the Fitflop is making them MORE unstable so that we will always be contracting our leg muscles. I don’t know about that.
The Fitflop press release continues:
“In fact, FitFlops are biomechanically engineered to improve core muscle strength, absorb shock on feet, knees and back, encourage better posture, burn calories, help reduce cellulite and lessen joint strain…”
Here we have some more benefits that the Fitflop provides. Absorbing shock on the feet, knees and back is a very good thing. Encouraging better posture is a good thing. Wait a minute! This shoe is going to encourage calorie burning? How? Are we going to love wearing them so much we will want to walk more? Rubbish.
Help reduce cellulite? Come on now. How is a shoe going to help reduce lumpy fat under the skin?
Conclusion
I have to conclude by saying I love flip flops. I wear them everyday despite the potential damage then can do to my feet. I do not know whether the amazing claims made by this company are true but I would bet a good amount of money they weren’t. Women struggle with weight loss and muscle toning for years by going to the gym and careful dieting and to suggest that a flip flop is going to tone your legs is laughable.
They do look nice though.
UPDATE - Due to overwhelming response from readers wanting to buy Fitflops you can now buy them from Amazon here.
Comments on this article:
| Christine N said: | Whether or not they do actually work, which is most likely a "not"... I've heard they're extremely comfortable. They're cute, too. |
| Lynn said: | how do i buy these?? |
| RT said: | Lynn - You can get them by following the aff. link in the post.
RT |
| Mia said: | I'm from the UK and bought a pair in black, I was a little skeptical, but after a hip muscle injury, I thought they might be a comfortable pair of shoes to wear, whilst also doing pilates regularly and attending physio.
I can confirm that they do engage the gluteus maximus muscles on heel strike, they aid in keeping a better posture when walking and standing, and help to control pronation of the foot and internal rotation of the hip and knee. They help to keep the pelvis in a more neutral position, and this benefits you from the ankle to the shoulder. Take it from someone who has suffered severe muscular skeletal injuries and imbalances, that any shoe that engages the gluteus maximus with optimum effect on heel strike is definitely worth looking into. |
| Heatherdawn said: | I bought some towards the end of the summer ( little late I know ) but I've only worn them a couple of time. They ARE comfortable and look really cute! It does help with my posture and feels good on my hip. I have a hip that pops everytime I take a step and tends to get sore sometimes. These shoes help with that. I bought mine on Bath and Body Works website. Last I heard, they were backordered through the U.S and Bath and Body Works is the only one that has a major contract with the manufacture, so they get them first. |
| KLM9876 said: | Absolutely hated these shoes. I was skeptical but I read positive reviews and decided to give them a try. I usually am an active walker but I've been away from it for several months. As soon as these shoes came in, I put them on and went for a one hour semi-fast paced walk on my tredmill. Not only did my feet have blisters the next day from trying to keep them from slipping off (I assure you I had the correct size), my muscles felt absolutely nothing for days to come. I continued this "experiment" for several days and felt no improvements. I returned them to bath and body works and the manager actually said to me, "ANOTHER pair being returned. I assume you hated them and they did not work." Enough said. Save your money for holiday shopping and stick to traditional workouts. |
| Car said: | I just find it funny how they supposedly help you engage your muscles with these shoes by walking...but don't you already engage your muscles by just walking anyway? Even if it does help you tone your glutes and legs, you'd probably have to walk, like what, 3-4 hours a day to see results? |
| Demi said: | I used these shoes, and not only are they comfortable, but they really work!!
I used these for 2 weeks, and after that i had newly toned, really well defined leg muscles!!
I definitly recommend these!! |
| Selena Mars said: | This is not the first time a shoe has made this claim. I remember people used to say the same thing about certain dr.scholls shoes when I was a teenager. I wore those one summer and it did seem to give me more of a calf. Also, women who wear high heels a lot seem to always have a nicely defined leg. Coincedence? I think not. |
| TJ's Mommy said: | Ok, So I own a pair of these shoes. I love walking and am really into fitness so my husband saw these and came home with them for me. I decided to come on this site to look up the reviews on them. Above...WHY would you walk on a treadmill in Fitflops, or ANY flipflops for that matter and an hour semi-fast paced after 7 months of not walking???? Can you really call that an accurate review? I wore them walking around for about 30 minutes today and not only are they super cute, they are REALLY comfortable. Walking in general improves your legs and surely ANY woman who believes that its soley the shoes has to know that walking in general improves your health and fitness...which means these Fitflops encourage walking...period.The more walking the better your legs. If you walk a lot already and decide to try these, they WILL help! |
| mlhardee said: | I agree with several of the reviews. I DID buy these shoes. The advertising department for these shoes should be given kudos - these FitFlops sound miraculous! But reality says otherwise...these shoes have numerous design flaws. First, if you have slightly higher than normal arches, these flops will not fit your foot correctly. The reason for this is that the T-strap across the arch is made of a non-stretchy, almost grosgrain ribbon-type of heavy, woven material, and does NOT stretch to conform to higher-arched feet. Because of this, my feet kept shifting backwards in the shoe and I had trouble keeping the shoe on my foot, much less able to walk normally in them. Plus, if your feet even slightly over- or under-pronate, your feet will shift to the inside (or outside) of the shoe and you will find yourself walking on the edge of the shoe - I was constantly trying to shift my foot back to center. The strap does nothing to hold the foot in correctly - the shoe needs more support to hold to and conform with the foot. Further, the leather strap between the toes is either shoddily made or poorly designed - the edge of the leather is rough and rubbed blisters on my second toes within the first five minutes. While the shoes are very cushiony and I can see where they would help in burning calories, I spent the entire 1-mile walk stopping to shift my foot back into the shoe in its correct position, tugging on the T-strap to the correct position on the top of my arch, or putting bandaids on my new blisters. I recommend making sure the company you buy from has a good return policy. |
| kristy said: | You should not be walking at a fast pace in flip flops, get a grip. People, just walk more in general. And for the casual day to day outings, wear the fitflips. It will help the day to day walking be a bit more beneficial, but at the end of the day you just need to workout. No shoe is going to work a miracle for a person who has not dieted or worked out for 6 years. |
| Heidi said: | I have them and have worn them for about 2 months. I love them because I clean houses for a living and my feet and back were always hurting. Not anymore!! I doubt if they really tone your bottom half, but who cares? They feel great! |
| Amy said: | You can purchase these off of the Victoria's Secret website. They are $49.95 |
| kristy warshauer said: | i just want to say some times standing differently or pressure to different part of your foot very well could activate energies in the meridians to change the local biochemistry and metabolism of an area of the body . just being more comfpetable could relax muscles and transform the legs muscles to gradually shape differently and decrease swelling . Sometimes the power of belief is very real. |
| Sumita said: | The straps left dark marks on my feet. These marks are taking a long time to go. I don't use my fitflops anymore. Waste of money. |
| Emily said: | Avon has shoes designed by Curves that are comparable to the more costlier brands but are a fraction on the price! The Leg toning Sneakers and Sandals are under $50. The Leg toning Flip Flops are under $30. I have the sandals and love them! |
| Chris said: | I bought a pair and within a few hours of wear, my posture straightened, my hip and back quit hurting. I now have three pair and I sent pairs to my Mother and Aunt, and they wear them all the time (they are 83!) and love them. I even wear mine to work on dress down days w/toe socks, have seen severel other people showing up with them on after I rave and tell them to buy them at Macy\'s. I really don\'t care about all the negative input because they truly work for me. |
| celine said: | I love these shoes. I workout regularly but still have a "problem" area under my butt... blah... i live in So Cal & wear regular flip flips 9 months of the year. I figured these can only help? After wearing these i noticed a definite tingly soreness in my legs (still doing same workouts & walking around the house and chasing kids in these shoes) and after 6 weeks now, i still notice my legs feel a bit sore in the AMs and most importantly, that problem area is smoother and tighter! Yes, but butt is tighter! I swear. these work for me and my kind of foot i guess!
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| Pam said: | did anyone else have a terrible experience, I live in nyc and walk all the time, I wore the fitflops and followed directions the first two days I had them, by the third day my back was bothering me and by the fifth day I was in total muscle spasm, confined to bed on muscle relaxers. It could only be the shoes.............worst thing ever, never had pain in childbirth, I returned them real fast! |
| roxy said: | Working in canary wharf meant i couldnt help but notice the huge posters hanging in sweaty betty for these magical "fit flops" that will apparently tone and tighten my bum and mk my legs give giselle bundchen a run for her money.....
2 months on and after wearing the fit flops pretty much everyday, walkin to work, around the flat, on weekends when shopping (basically any occasion where i wld be wlkin alot and didnt mind wearing these big clumpy fit flops);
I fail to see any distinct change in my legs and bum....that said i work out at least twice a wk too and have been eating healthily. Unlike some of the deluded wishful thinkin girls out there i didnt put all my hopes and dreams into a pair of shoes!
They are extremely comfortable and good for walkin in because the wedgy heels are nice and springy but they are not gona do what they say on the ads or the labels girls! so be warned. Comfy shoes, not that ugly to look at, but they DO NOT make you "fit" and "toned" or whatever it is the retailer promises |
| Helen Minnis said: | I have one in every color and plan to wear them all winter - love love love them. Footsmart should give me a free pair because i have sold several of my friends on FITflops! |
| Amanda said: | As a wearer for about 3 weeks now I can see the scepticism, I was the same..........how on earth can a shoe make you tone up, lose weight etc etc.
Now to be honest, I think the only reason they have helped me is I have some issues with my lower back and my calves that I am working on with my physio. I always HATED walking as I would get far too much tension and end up feeling very tired too quick due to my body not working properly. These seem to have energised my walking, now I am walking about an hour to two up the beach every day...........so yeh, i am getting toned bottom and thighs and I am losing weight.......just as I am being more active as they are the most comfortable and supportive shoe I have found.
Plus yes, they are cute, I have the sparkly silver ones.
They are much much much better than flat shoes, they give support and they energise your walk more, so you walk further and with more energy, faster etc.
I think they just act a bit like orthotics, offering support to strengthen your daily walk.....thats all in my view, but good if you have short calve muscles, back tension in the lower back and glutes etc which makes your walk lacklustre as mine was.
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| Mary said: | I had been wearing compression stockings for over a year because of varicose veins - after wearing fitflops for 6 months - my veins are no longer a problem. But I do need to wear my fitlfops (I have 2 pairs) a little bit everyday. Needless to say, I think they are wonderful and am now looking for toe socks, so I can wear them in the winter. |
| anna said: | If your looking to loose weight or tone up forget about fit flops. The people who say that they have sore muscles initially are seriously seriously unfit and need to do some proper exercise. I bought them and even tried a serious walk in them, but was left not feeling a thing. A waste of money. |
| Elva said: | I am trying to find out about Fitflops. I have a seriously dropped arch which causes problems with walking and has also caused problems to my quad muscles which now need exercising to strenthen the quads and glutes. I am wondering if these Fitflops would help. There are so many opposite reviews it is difficult to make a decision as to whether to try some out, or not! |
| lisy said: | I got my fitflops at Ladies footlockers and after a month of having then I ran an got a pair for my mom.... We love to walk everyday and I honestly can say that they were well spent money. I 've had an ankle injury for 5 months and I had to use an air cast, plus I had to go for therapy once weekly, since I've had them, my condition has improve and I no longer use my aircast.... My legs do feel tone and my mom and I just love how confy they feel..... To me it was money well spent.... |
| Linda said: | I really want to try these fit flops but after reading the reviews and opinons I\'m now wondering if I should even spend the money. I\'m an active person and I go to the gym but I never seem to get the leg and butt results that I desire...I did find these for only $34.95 Someone help me decide! |
| jamie said: | I own a pair, and they are WAY more comfortable than the basic flat slap of plastic called a flip flop that you can buy for $3 at wal-mart. They cushion your foot, and the way the straps are placed actually help with arch support. And they do make me feel like Im walking taller, which I guess means they are helping my posture. I also have shoes which may me clench with my toes more than these shoes. I bought then for $50 last year at the bath and body works website, and I would still pay $50 for them. Now that they are on sale, I may stock up on a few pairs in different colors. I will never wear flat flip flops again. |
| Brianne said: | I bought a pair of fit flops and absolutely LOVED them! Wore them all last summer. Even took them to Disney World and walked 10+ miles a day in them!! The most comfortable sandals I have ever purchased. Since the initial purchase, I have bought two more pairs of fitflops in different colors. I do workout 4-5 times a week and did not notice any difference in my leg muscles. I am sure they don't hurt by wearing them, but don't expect them to perform miracles on your cellulite. They did nothing to improve mine, but I am the biggest fan of fit flops!! |
| Mary said: | You can buy these flip flops at the Flip Flop Shops in California. They really do work! Theres a store in the Topanga mall and another one at Universal Citywalk. I bought 2 pairs of them and I LOVE them. They also carry Olukai which are orthopedic..... Highly recommend them and those stores.
Mary! |
| Sonia said: | These are the best flip flops ever!!! |
| Susan L. said: | I love FIT FLOPS!!!
I bought three different styles in three different colors and they all work great in different ways. I have noticed my thighs and butt are much firmer and im beggining to get calves!!! YAY!!! I went everywhere looking for these. I finally found them at the Flip Flop Shop in the Topanga Mall in California. I love this place!!! I live in flip flops and this place has the biggest variety for women and men and some kids. The staff there is wonderful and friendly. They also have a selection of Fit Flops, no like the other places which only carry one style and not the right size....
YAY go FIT FLOPS!!!! |
| Gail Heitner said: | Has anyone found that the flip flops "catch" on the floor and cause you to lose your balance and even fall? I love wearing them and find them very comfortable, but this happened to me twice. |
| Linda said: | Who cares if these sandles don't tighten your butt or build muscles in your legs. They are the most comfortable sandles I own. I do wear them most everyday and when I am shopping or just out strolling. However, I put my sturdy shoes on when I walk on my treadmill or do anything that requires a steady foot. Let's be sensible ladies, one shoe does not fit all. |
| lynne said: | hi,i have got a pair of these but not from victoria health from avon..half the price.
had motor bike accident last year and damaged my cruciate ligament..since then when i walk my knee hurts and if i sit too long however when i wear these i feel like i am walking better and my knees seem to not hurt so much..so in conclusion whether the scientists say whatever they are helping me and that is all you can ask for |
| Cynthia said: | I am 7 months pregnant and I am experiencing serious ankle and foot swelling which is normal during pregnancy. I've tried every pair of shoes I could find that would fit my feet and be comfortable with NO luck!! Very aggravating...argh! Out of sheer frustration I tried on the Fitflops...let's be serious they are not the cutest shoes in my opinion and I tend to call them my Fred Flinstone Flipflops...and voila, they fit and were comfortable. I was amazed! They did indicate that if you foot is being pushed out the back that you should go up a size. I didn't buy them because of the hype about how they tone your legs and butt only excercise and proper diet can do that. I have to admit that they are easier on my feet, legs and hips when I walk. This shoe may not work for everyone but I'm thankful I got a pair because they have helped me with being able to walk around comfortably again during my pregnancy. |
| Carly said: | I agree completely with mlhardee. A friend had a pair that she loved and after commenting on them, she bought me a pair for my birthday. I too have a high arch in my foot and so I had to return the pair she bought me (in the right size) and get a slightly larger pair just so I could get my foot into the right place. First wear of them and I got big blisters between my toes from the rough hard strp between the toes. I have been reluctant to perserveer with them as they were so uncomfortable. Disappointing as I walk in to work and these would have been great to get some extra benefits. |
| Gloria C. Torres said: | I just bought a pair of FitFlops yesterday...I wore them for 2 hours in the office. My toes are bleeding and blistered because of the center toe piece. I brought them back to the store where I purchased them, and they refused to take them back because, "they had been worn!" So now I am stuck with a pair of $60 flip-flops, that kill one's toes and which I will never again wear...and, I would never give them to someone else to suffer the pain they cause between your toes! |
| sue clemens said: | I have a pair of fit flops and feel they are most comfortable to wear. I wasn't sure if they actually toned my leg muscles, until i put on my knee high boots for the first time in ages. When i was pulling up the zip, i was amazed at how quick the zip pulled up. Normally i would have to hold the zip together and push my skin inside the boot. I was so shocked to see i have lost some fat in my calf area, which i always wanted to happen. I would say the claim to tone legs is true, as i have seen the results. |
| Faith said: | These sandals cause terrible blisters and bleeding between the first and second toes because the material used for the thong is very poor quality and stiff. Cannot use them for toning because I cannot walk very far in them. |
| Laura said: | I am on my third pair and love love love them. I have had quite a bit of problems with my feet and they are the most comfortable shoe I have ever worn. I do Zumba and would love to have a FitFlop type excercise shoe! I am also excited to buy the Inuk boots.
By the way, I have recently had several people mention my toned booty. Coinky dink?? maybe but I will take it. |
| Lorrie said: | I bought my Fit Flops in Aug/Sept 08. I had been suffering with a pinched nerve that caused my thigh to go numb. I also have low back issues, and rotated hip that causes my left leg to be slightly shorter. Am I in shape? No. Do I walk a lot? No. But I have been wearing these constantly since and my pain has decreased significantly. I wear them in the house as slippers and outside when weather permits.
I do attribute my decreased pain to the forced posture corrections that these provide - at least for me. Lessened pain allows me to be more active. Over the course of the year and some odd months - I have lost 20# without any dietary changes. |
| kc said: | Fit flops made my hip hurt! |
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