This week's "Test It Tuesday" provided quite a challenge. While these MBT shoes do provide instant relief from various joint and foot pains ( take a look at Ted Cataldi in the story ), the fitness benefits are still not clear.


Dr. Brian Hagan, a physical therapist at UPMC would not grade the shoes, but he did say the "rocker bottom" technology was not new. It has been used by patients for years. Now, whether that technology would actually firm and tone your body is up for debate. He says that the shoe will yield different results for different people.


The shoe essentially changes the way you walk by putting pressure on different muscles and - by doing that - it can help certain people become more physically fit, but not everybody. After wearing the shoes for five days, here's what I believe: I think if you think the shoes will get you into better shape, you tend to use them more and probably walk more. By walking more, you will invariably be in better shape.




Therefore, I think the results from the shoes are much more dependant on your mental state. If you believe they will work, you will do what is necessary to make them work for you. I think you will work more to ensure the results.


MBT's are not a magic fix. You can't just wear these shoes and then eat a whole tub of ice cream and expect to lose weight. There is no easy way to lose weight. Now, I know there are women who swear by these shoes - and I believe the results they are getting but I also believe from my brief time with this product, nothing happens in a vacuum.

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