Skechers Women's Shape Ups Optimize Trainer

Make the most of your walking work-out with the Skechers Shape Ups. With Shape Ups, you can change your life and your fitness without setting foot in a gym. Shape Ups are not like other athletic shoes. This is a new way to walk and exercise.

Shape Ups are designed to: Promote weight loss. Strengthen the back. Firm calf and buttock muscles. Reduce celluite and tone your thighs. Increase cardiovascular health. Improve posture. Reduce stress on knee and ankle joints.

How it works
Designed to improve your life by changing the way you walk, Shape Ups feature a unique, soft kinetic wedge insert and dynamic rolling bottom to simulate walking barefoot on a giving surface that gives, such as sand.

With the comfort of Shape Ups, you will feel your heel sink to the ground as you step, roll forward as your weight shifts to its center, and push off with your toes. This movement will result in stronger leg, buttock, back, and abdominal muscles as you stabilize your steps.

Due to this unconventional matter of walking, we suggest that you moderate your walking routine in Shape Ups for the first week or two (25 to 45 minutes per day), depending on your level of fitness. As you continue to wear Shape Ups, your body will adjust to this new method of walking. You will find it easy and comfortable while still enjoying the strengthening and cardiovascular benefits.

Shape up while you stand

Conventional footwear does not provide proper support or aide in correct posture for long periods of standing. With Shape Ups, the simulation of soft ground will ease the stress on your joints, promote correct posture, and strengthen selected muscles as you naturally work to keep your centre of balance.

To properly stand in your Shape Ups, stand upright and find your center of balance with your feet parallel and hip-distance apart.

Shape up while you walk
To walk correctly in Shape Ups, step forward with the middle section of your heel hitting the ground first. This should give you the feeling of walking on soft ground. Roll forward onto the ball of your food and then the flat part of your toes.

Your stance should not be as wide as you walk. Your front foot should still be under your body, giving you a natural and comfortable step. This rhythmic and easy gait will help you maintain your balance. For maximum benefit, strike heel first. Then roll forward.

Get in the routine

As you walk in Shape Ups, be aware of the position of your shoes and ankles. Your ankles should not roll or bend inward, but remain parallel.

The position of your back and neck should be straight. Do not look down; look ahead to where you are going. This will keep your posture straight, resulting in tightening of your back and stomach muscles, and the lengthening of your body into a leaner line.

Exaggerated movements are part of some walking routines (such as knee raises), but with Shape Ups, your movements should be fluid and smooth.

While a natural pace is best for everyday walking, we suggest you switch up your gait -- slowing down to focus on your steps, or kicking it up a notch to get your blood flowing.

Start your session