Shape-Ups?

 
So I need a pair of walking shoes and I walked into a sporting goods store and got lost, dazed and confused.

I never was any good at shoe shopping, confounding most of the women I know. 

Looking to understand how shape-ups work and if they are good for someone carrying a lot of weight. I am on my way down, but am still at 300 lbs with knee and hip problems. 

Will shape-up exacerbate the existing problems? Do they actually work? If so, how? Can people please provide their experience with them? Do they make you less stable as you walk?

The shape ups actually hurt me so much, what a waste of money it was for me..I'm very flat footed and they are made for someone with a high arch.

 Oh man am I glad you posted that. I thought I was the only one. I tore all the muscles on the top of my right foot from these things. If you go on the web site and they say that they are not recomended for people with a lot of excess weight 


as for what shoes... I went to the running room and they were great! you pay an arm and a leg for shoes but what I did/do is had them size me and suggest shoes and then I knew what to look for so when I went to the Nike store I was already educated. I still co back to the runnin room once a year to make sure I am still on track and I do know a key for me is to replace my shoes every 3 months so aviod stress injuries as my shoes start to wear out.

i would stick with a "normal" shoe, especially if you already have joint problems. Look for a sturdy walking shoe, try something like New Balance.

I've never tried them, but a friend who is of normal weight bought them, and the inside heel wore through terribly fast and she ended up with massive blisters.  I think the plastic shape thing actually broke through the fabric covering it while she was walking and she ended up with a nasty mess of a foot.  Stick to something tried and true - a good brand.  They'll be expensive, but worth it in the end.

I did not buy a pair of the brand "Shape Ups" but did purchase a pair of the Dr Scholl's ones at at 300 lbs they are my favorite pair of shoes. They are extremely comfortable and they haven't worn out yet. I have been wearing them for about 4 months now. I would recommend them to anyone.

I have the Dr. Scholl's shoes too.  They're the ones similar to the Shape-Ups.  I bought them at Walmart for $20 and they're the best shoes I own!  I've tried NB and Nike, Reebok, Asics...you name it.  These inexpensive ones are the only ones that dont hurt my feet or make my legs feel tired.

I bought a new pair of shoes 1 1/2yrs and they are "new balance" They are my FAVOURITE pair of shoes! I am actually going to get another pair in the next couple of weeks I really like them cuz they are nice and comfy.

Hi

I bought a similar type of shoe but cheaper at Giant Tiger and they are like walking on pillows, they are
the most comfortable shoe I have bought in a long time.  I can walk for 5 miles in them and they do

not hurt, that is saying something for a shoe to put them on and no need to "break" them in LOL

I bought a similar pair but at Walmart in the states by Danzer, the company that makes exercise

clothes etc and they are comfortable but not as comfortable as the ones from GT.

It really is personal whether you like a type of shoe or not, you really have to try them, last year I

bought a similar pair in Walmart in Utica and put them on in the parking lot and walked about 20 car

lengths and got a blister on the one heel.  Took them off and returned them to the store for my

refund.  That made me very leery of purchasing another pair, but really like the two different pairs that

I have now, may buy another pair so that I will have them when these wear out.

Good luck in your quest to find a pair that you are comfortable with

Eileen 

I've also read that 'shape ups" don't actually tone you any more than regular shoes do.

I've been to running room and they are great at sizing you, determining what you are going to be doing in the shoes (ie, running, walking, etc) and what kind of terrain you will be doing it on.  They also determine if you pronate (walk on the inside of your foot) or supinate (walk on the outside of your foot) and find a shoe to help correct that.  A little bit of extra money to get the right shoe can go a long way in comfort.

Hope this helps!