We live in an increasingly sedentary society – as a general rule we get considerably less physical exercise than would have been considered normal in the past. Cheap and widely available motorised transport has certainly been a factor, as has the fact that, for a lot of us, work consists of sitting slumped in front of a computer screen for eight hours or more daily. Factor in the fact that food is, relatively speaking, cheaper than ever and both widely and instantly available and it’s perhaps no great surprise that many of us aren’t in as good shape as we might wish to be.
Unfortunately our various labour saving devices, improved transport systems and computers don’t seem to have provided us with any more leisure time in which to pursue activities which might compensate for our low level of physical activity during our normal daily routine. It’s hardly surprising that, after a long day at the office, a commute and completion of a few domestic duties, many people don’t have either the energy or the time to go for a quick jog or to fit in a trip to the gym. It’s a vicious circle and one that can be hard to break.
And that’s exactly the situation that Marcia Kilgore found herself in. She was, of all things, an ex-personal fitness trainer – so her motivation to exercise wasn’t in question – who simply couldn’t find enough time in her busy schedule to exercise as often as she would have wished. Instead of just accepting the situation, Ms Kilgore took steps to remedy it.
In partnership with the London South Bank University (LSBU), she came up with the concept for a special range of fitness shoes which, thanks to a specially designed sole, would increase the duration for which the lower body muscles were active during normal walking activity. Independent testing at LSBU and the UK’s Salford University have shown that Ms Kilgore’s range of shoes – known as Fitflops – increase the time for which the lower body muscles are in use by up to 16% – when compared to walking in conventional shoes.
The net result of this is that wearers of Fitflops can tone their legs and trim their buttocks just by walking around as they would be doing anyway. In addition to the various scientific tests, anecdotal evidence from users also suggests that other benefits, such as reduced joint pain and improved posture may be achievable. The Fitflops range of shoes has also been given a seal of acceptance by the American Podiatric Medical Association.
The Fitflop range originally started life as a selection of sandals – but has now been expanded to include clogs, slippers and boots. They are available in a wide range of colours and styles – most of which don’t look very much like exercise shoes at all, so no-one need know that you are getting a free workout while you walk. If you are one of the many who struggle to find time to exercise, then walking to lose weight whilst wearing Fitflops might just be a good option for you to get what is effectively a free lower body workout just by walking around as you would usually do as part of your daily routine anyway.
