Health Benefits of MBT Shoes: Health or Hype?

Fitness Shoes, MBT Shoes, Rocker Bottom Shoes, Walking Shoes - By Courtney Miles on Sunday, October 3, 2010 - 12:00

I am a huge fan of MBT shoes, so you may not consider me an objective reporter on MBT shoes. However, the reason that I am such an enormous fan of these shoes is that they do offer unbelievable health results – real health results! Not only are the results backed up by actual independent research (over 20 studies since my last count) and other customers, but I have personally benefited from wearing these shoes. I have lost weight, inches, and seriously improved my former, very pathetic posture.

Bold though they may be, the health benefits of MBT shoes are authentic and within your grasp. The comfort of MBT Shoes should also not be ignored. They are among the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn.

Exclusive Savings: Save an additional $10 on any MBT Shoes purchase of $100 (or more). See the details at the end of this review.

MBT Shoes Increased Muscle Activity & Strength

This is the big one for most people. Everyone loves the idea of a workout without an actual workout, but don’t be fooled by MBTs. Your muscle activity will increase, but that is because you are doing an actual workout. Your entire body works to balance, focus your core, and walk with careful, deliberate steps. And yes, that does increase the amount of energy and MBT Shoes work that your muscles do.

Doing this, of course, also leads to stronger muscles. The more you work a muscle, the stronger and more toned it becomes. I have found this to be especially true for my thighs and my abdominal muscles. Wearing MBTs works your core muscles (abs, lower back) for some pretty amazing results.

Research Note: Studies have shown a 9% increase in work by buttocks, a 19% increase in work done by hamstrings, and an 18% increase in the work done by calves. Additionally, muscles are activated to a degree that represents a 16 % longer workout.

MBT Shoes Provides Low Impact Exercise Workout – Wherever You Are

The benefits of a low-impact workout are pretty incredible – particularly for people with pain, arthritis, joint and muscle aches, and injuries. Because you get a workout just from walking, MBT shoes offer the ultimate in low-impact exercise. This is furthered by the extremely thick sole of the shoe, which decreases the impact of walking.

Research Note: A study demonstrated that MBT shoes exercised the “lower-extremity small muscle groups” to a significantly higher degree than traditional shoes during low-impact running, with decreased physiological load on those same muscles.

MBT Shoes Improved Posture

Wearing MBT shoes, with the thick curved sole, forces you to balance at all times – correctly aligning your spine to the ground. For this reason, you are forced to stand up straighter. You are exercising all of your back muscles, this contributes to better posture, too. Since you are using your body to balance, not just your back, you put less strain on your lower and upper back which also contributes to posture my mother would be proud of.

Research Note: Studies have shown that MBT shoes improve your posture by 10 degrees.

MBT Shoes Increases Ankle And Joint Stability And Strength

Walking in MBT shoes distributes your body weight evenly throughout your foot and body as a whole – lowering the pressure on your feet and the shock to your joints. MBTs offer incredible shock absorption through the sole of the shoe, but also through the protection provided to your ankles, hips, and joints.

Research Note: Studies have revealed that wearing MBT Shoes can reduce the pressure of hip and knee joints by 19%.

MBT Shoes Reduces Pain in Entire Body

MBTs work to reduce just about every muscle or joint ache or pain you have. This happens because MBTs increase strength, stability, posture, and balance – all of which, in poor form, result in injury and aches. The comfort of the shoes and feeling of walking on cushioned ground also helps reduce pain. The following are areas of your body that MBT shoes can reduce pain by either comforting the area or correcting the problem.

Back – upper & lower
Neck
Foot
Ankle
Hip Region
Abdominal Region

MBT Shoes Increased Metabolism = Weight Loss

The workout that you get wearing MBT shoes also promotes weight loss – by increased muscle activity, strengthening, and conditioning.

Research Note: Two independent Swiss studies demonstrated that wearing MBT Shoes can result in weight loss and a decrease in cellulite.

Documented Health Benefits of MBT Shoes for Specific Patients

The following is a list of patients, by type, who have experienced significant health benefits from wearing MBT shoes – as a group, not just individuals.

Diabetic Patients - Reduction of foot pressure distribution in normal and diabetic patients.
Patients with Plantar Fasciitis
Chronic Back Pain Sufferers
Osteoarthritis Patients – Improved strength and balance

Okay, if you weren’t convinced about the health benefits of MBT Shoes before, I hope you are now! For more information, or to buy a pair of MBT Shoes, check out The #1 Authorized MBT Shoes Retailer for great information and terrific selection and prices.

Special Discount: For a very limited time save an additional $10 on any MBT Shoe purchase of $100 (or more). This is an exclusive discount for Walking Shoe Reviews readers by clicking the link above. Online orders only.

Tags: Fitness Shoes, MBT Shoes, Rocker Bottom Shoes, Walking Shoes

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Cheaper Shoes Can Get You In Trouble

Submitted by Ed Forteau on Thu, 2010-11-04 21:46.

Since rocker shoes became mainstream just about Every Shoe manufacture has rushed to get into the "rocker bottom shoe" business. I have looked very closely at many of these shoes. Wore them in the stores that sell them. If you are just walking up and down the aisle a couple of times it is hard to tell the difference. But wear them for a couple of hours and difference is quite striking. These companies have not taken the time to do Any studies. They have not tested the mechanics of their shoes. They use inferior materials to keep the price low. They mass sell them everywhere (including grocery stores).

MBT doesn't just slap a higher price on their shoes to make more money. The price includes the ongoing research and development, the quality materials, and the educational information they put out to ensure every customer gets the results they are looking for.

My inbox is filled with emails from people who purchased cheap rocker bottom shoes and ended up in physical therapy. Many people have asked us to review the cheaper shoes, but I don't have anything good to say about them (so there is no need to review them). The initial cost savings resulted in real long-term health issues (which cost more physically and financially). It's just not worth it. If MBTs are out of your price range right now, save your money and buy them when you can afford them.

rocker soles

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2010-11-04 20:22.

I on the other hand wore my Dr. Scholls rocker bottom shoes 5 times. The fifth time my knee started poping. I had to finish my grocery shopping. After about 20 minutes it was popping with pain. I have not been able to walk properly since. I never wore the shoes again. I have had physical therapy and now am headed to a bone and joint specialist. There has been times where it was to painful to bear weight on the knee causing me to not be able to walk. I have been this way for over 6 months and lost the ability to do my regular activities.

Any well-made rocker-sole shoes

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 2010-08-18 12:35.

Certainly these findings are about the use of the rocker-soled shoes. MBT perhaps being one of the earliest to introduce them (according to them.) Just noting.