Reduce Backache And Get A Free Workout – Just By Choosing The Right Shoes
When he was walking through a rice field in Korea barefoot, Karl Muller – a Swiss engineer – found that his back pain (which had been a recurring problem for him) was very much better. Intrigued, he did a little research and discovered that Africa’s Masai tribesmen do not suffer from backache. They are also known for their good posture.
Considering the evidence, Muller deduced that walking on soft ground in bare feet was better for your back and joints than walking on hard surfaces. He decided to design a shoe which would attempt to produce the effect of this type of gait on a soft surface such as grass or sand.
The end result was the Masai Barefoot Technology (MBT) shoe. According to the company website, it is so different to conventional footwear that it merits the name of “anti-shoe”.
MBT shoes have a specially engineered curved sole with no heel, which results in a gentle rolling action when your foot comes into contact with the ground. It’s just like walking on sand in your bare feet in fact. Using different density materials in different areas of the sole also contributes to the effect by further decreasing impact shock and jarring.
Independent scientific studies have verified that this is genuinely better for your back and joints. There are further proven benefits in addition to better posture. For example, whilst walking in MBT shoes, the wearer’s muscles will be activated for longer (when compared to similar walking in traditional footwear). The muscles are used for about 16% longer. Wearers also tend to “walk properly” and take slightly shorter strides. Both of these effects mean that extra work is done.
The end result of this is that every step you take wearing MBT shoes is providing you with additional exercise. It’s like having a lower body workout while you walk. In addition to alleviating back pain and producing improved posture, MBT shoes also help to trim your buttocks and tone your legs.
You would think that those benefits would be all the motivation required. However, some people do find MBTS a bit chunky and, dare I say it, a little ugly (beauty is in the eye of the beholder). However, there are now other, more cosmetically appealing, alternatives to choose from if you wish. Skechers Shape Ups and Fitflops both incorporate similar curved soles which will tone and trim your lower body whilst engaged in normal walking activities.
Whatever design you find most attractive, the potential to get a lower body workout and reduce back pain just by normal walking looks like an extremely attractive option.
Check out the Skechers Shape Ups range and see the available MBT Shoe Collection
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