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Is the Fit Flop another weight-loss gimmick or does it really work? The Fit Flop claims to work your thighs and calf muscles with their patented shoe design of a  multi-density sole that 'works' on your muscles midstep, thus toning your thighs, calves and glutes. They work by slightly destabilizing the foot, so that you're constantly fighting for balance while you're wearing them. They do this using a micro-wobbleboard that is incorporated into the sole of the shoe and makes them a slightly raised platform. Wearers have noted that the walking takes some getting used to as you have to focus on a more concentrated way of walking. The shoes are meant to be extremely comfortable as well with a soft cushioning and have been ergonomically designed to mimic a barefoot gait.

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Pros & Cons

Pros:
13 people have already voted. Do you agree?

comfortable and soft cushioning
+7agreedisagree

works leg muscles while you walk
0agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?

skeptical about effectiveness
+5agreedisagree

can cause pain in your knees and ankles
+3agreedisagree

Strap is located in an uncomfortable position
+2agreedisagree

caused extreme knee problem which is interupting my original fitness program
+1agreedisagree

strap falls off
0agreedisagree

More information

The Fit Flop was conceived by Marcia Kilgore of the UK who never had time to go to the gym, and wanted a way of exercising that could be incorporated into her daily life. The Fit Flop was first available in the UK and has now made its way to the USA. See also Yoga Sandals for a shoe that wants to change your alignment while you walk.

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17 comments about The Fit Flop

1.  avatar dbarth1993  Aug 08, 2007 8:04pm

I have these on order from BBW, can't wait to try them out.
2.  avatar Neesie  Sep 07, 2007 11:25am

I ignored the warning to build up time gradually, wearing my FitFlops. I've now been wearing them for about two weeks, almost all day, every day (including shopping trips, where I'm on my feet for several hours at a time). They're very comfortable . . . but as far as working my muscles goes, I haven't felt even the slightest difference.
3.  avatar Amanie  Sep 07, 2007 11:31am

Oh, that's disappointing, maybe you're already too fit for the Fit flop!
4.  avatar suz  Sep 07, 2007 1:55pm

I just bought these and wore them about 5 hours. I had the hardest time keeping them on my feet and I kept slipping out of them going up stairs. I often had to stop and reposition the strap to keep them on. I had no sore muscles - only a bruise from the strap the next day. I don't think I'd get these again.
5.  avatar Neesie  Sep 08, 2007 12:49pm

Amanie, thanks for the chuckle! ;-D I'm just an average person, who does an average amount of walking. I'm used to wearing low-heeled shoes, so MAYBE that makes the difference.

Like Suz, I don't think I'd get them again.
6.  avatar sam  Sep 09, 2007 5:25pm

I have been wearing them every evening and walking a mile, have really noticed a difference. Has changed the shape of my calf muscles. Initially my legs really ached and some discomfort in my knees.
7.  avatar lynn  Sep 13, 2007 4:02pm

Ok here goes. I ordered these in August. My upper legs were 27 inches they are now 25 inches. Lower were 22 now 18 bum is WAY smaller. I am having cramps from wearing them ALL the time but oh I love the results.
8.  avatar guenwyvar  Sep 30, 2007 9:22pm

I just got mine 3 days ago & love them. Very comfy & easy to walk fast in;do wish I could tighten the strap a bit.I do notice that when I relax & just go with the flow when I walk in them I can feel my leg muscles working & also the bottom of the butt muscles. I work out a lot anyway ( step aerobics,weights & yoga) so I just ignored the advice to build up slowly & just wore them all day right away. leg muscles felt "worked" but not sore or cramped at all.
9.  avatar chedolce  Mar 14, 2008 11:35am

hi there! does anyone have any reports of knee/ankle pain as reported above? I have early signs of arthritis in my knees due to old injuries and have to be careful of agrivating my knees. Thanks!
10.  avatar michellelanderson  Apr 22, 2008 11:26am

I love these! They are very comfortable and have a neat-unique look to them. I can feel my muscles working more when I wear them. Not sure how much benefit they reap, but I love them anyway!
11.  avatar enaile  Apr 28, 2008 8:06pm

So far, they are very comfortable, I have been wearing them quite a bit, though, the toe/thong area is a bit abrasive. hum, not sure if I feel my muscles working more yet, we will see (have just had them a week) but I do think they are some of the more well padded comfy shoes I own!
12.  avatar vanessa  May 25, 2008 12:50pm

I got these yesterday. I normally wear a size 6.5 in sneakers, but the sizes it comes in is whole sizes only. I got a size 7 cause the store was out of 6. I walked 2 hours in them today and I agree with one of the other comments, it causes huge bruises on top of the foot, where the strap of fit flop is located. It seems that the shoe has too much toe room but not enough back room, so your heel is right at the end, but you can't move your foot forward cause of the strap, it's in the way and it makes it hard to stay on when you are trying to walk quickly. Also, on the bottom of my foot, under the top ball, a HUGE blister appeared, like half an inch wide due to these shoes. I also notice no muscle pain or anything, which I notice when I wear my MBT sneakers, those actually work and you feel it working. These are just higher flip flops, not sure how that would build muscle. Not recommended.
13.  avatar VFRgrl  Jun 06, 2008 2:51pm

I got these because they are supposed to be "better" than my beloved MBTs. I can say- they aren't . I wear almost 100% MBT shoes (sandals, sneakers, hiking boots) because I have a bad knee. The fit flops actually made my knee HURT and not in a good way. I also will occassionally get ankle pain.
I'm sticking with my MBTs because I went from having knee pain 5 out of 7 days a week (with limping) to zero days of limping and maybe once every few weeks I'll have pain. The fit flops are definitely NOT "better" than MBTs. As far as benefits- well maybe they do help tone muscles but I couldn't get past the knee pain!
14.  avatar diamondgirl  Jun 28, 2008 7:58pm

I got these in 2007. I love my fit flops. I do not wear them in the winter so every spring I start all over. If I lived somewhere that was warm year round I would wear them all the time.
15.  avatar guenwyvar  Jun 29, 2008 7:38pm

This is an update. It's now June 29 & I still love my Fitflops;wear them every day. I've had some low back issues due to uneven leg length & sitting at computer for hours while taking online courses. This caused a muscle imbalance & low back stiffness. I resumed going to my chiropractor ,got new lifts for the shoes on my shorter leg, &  started doing yoga every day instead of a few times a week. I didn't wear the Fitflops over the winter but resumed wearing them when the weather changed. I found that wearing them all the time forced me to walk better & stretch my front hip flexors (aka the psoas muscles; when these are tight it can cause low back pain) I could still feel my front thigh muscles,calf & bottom butt muscles working  as i said before & within a week there was far less lower back stiffness because the psoas were getting a constant workout. I could REALLY feel the psoas working ...even more than when I first got the shoes. They'd become really tight.My thighs are also trimmer but that could be due to my using the hip abductor & adductor machines at the gym as well as wearing the shoes. I've had absolutely no knee or ankle pain. people who have that problem may have it because of their gait,I don't know. Anyhow, I love my Fitflops,wear them most of the time & may be getting another pair.

16.  avatar helen  Jul 14, 2008 12:32am

Someone told me that they had to buy a size smaller than they normally wear. I want to order some online (there is no store near me that sells them) and I don't know what size to buy. Any comments about size?? Thanks, Helen
17.  avatar sk  Jul 22, 2008 9:45am

In terms of size, I ordered my normal size and they were fine.
I found them very comfortable HOWEVER after only a half an hour of wearing them my back locked up on me and I've been having problems ever since. I think they somehow realign you very slightly and it was just enough to cause a problem. If you are sensitive to these things I wouldn't recommend them.
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Key Features:

Heel Type Flat
Manufacturer FitFlop
Price $45.00
Release Date Jun. 1, 2007

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12344 views and 89 edits (see all)
Created: 08/01/2007 - 10:50
Modified: 08/07/2008 - 23:11