# Skechers Shape Ups don't do s\*\*t. Really? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 17, 2012, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skechers-shape-ups-dont-do-s-t-really/622164 "2012-05-17T03:15:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2012, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skechers-shape-ups-dont-do-s-t-really/622164/1 "2012-05-17T03:15:45Z")
> **['Shape-ups' shoemaker fined $40 million; FTC cites bogus fitness claims | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2012/05/16/us/ftc-skechers-fine/index.html?hpt=hp_bn1)** > > Skechers agrees to pay a $40 million fine over “unfounded claims” about its Shape-ups shoes, the FTC says. I never understood how people were fooled into thinking those hideous shoes would somehow melt away fat and shrink their ass. The things always looked dangerous to me anyway, like they would f up your gait or something. Though people are going to be able to get their money back I don’t think they deserve it for being so dumb to believe it at all. ---
**Author:** ![Covered\_In\_Bees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ab992/32.png) [@Covered\_In\_Bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covered_In_Bees)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2012, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skechers-shape-ups-dont-do-s-t-really/622164/2 "2012-05-17T03:17:40Z")
People are fucking stupid and no they don’t deserve their money back, agreed there. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2012, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skechers-shape-ups-dont-do-s-t-really/622164/3 "2012-05-17T04:01:23Z")
I never trusted that store. It always seemed kind of …skechy. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2012, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skechers-shape-ups-dont-do-s-t-really/622164/4 "2012-05-17T04:23:41Z")
One time I posted something on Facebook about having a good workout at the gym, and my dumbass cousin replied with something wishing she could get out there and get in shape but she doesn’t have enough money for Shape-Ups but she was excited that there was a knockoff at PayLess. I rolled my eyes so hard I nearly popped an optic nerve! One of my mom’s friends has a podiatrist daughter-in-law. She said right away that those things will kill ya. ---
**Author:** ![Zulema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/db5fbb/32.png) [@Zulema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zulema)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2012, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skechers-shape-ups-dont-do-s-t-really/622164/5 "2012-05-17T04:42:28Z")
I have some not Skechers brand shape-up type shoes and while they don’t make me look hot they are slightly more difficult to walk in then regular walking shoes. I probably use more energy and they probably work different muscles but not enough for any serious toning. They also keep some nagging ankle and shin problems from acting up and that’s the best thing about them. I have had shin problems for 30 years and wearing these I have none. I’m glad they’re getting busted for lying and using fake clinical results but I like them and hope I can always buy some. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2012, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skechers-shape-ups-dont-do-s-t-really/622164/6 "2012-05-17T04:45:05Z")
> [@Cubsfan](#): > > [http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/16/us/ftc-skechers-fine/index.html?hpt=hp\_bn1](http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/16/us/ftc-skechers-fine/index.html?hpt=hp_bn1) > > I never understood how people were fooled into thinking those hideous shoes would somehow melt away fat and shrink their ass. The things always looked dangerous to me anyway, like they would f up your gait or something. > > Though people are going to be able to get their money back I don’t think they deserve it for being so dumb to believe it at all. So advertisers should be allowed to lie as long as the lie is “obvious” enough? ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2012, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skechers-shape-ups-dont-do-s-t-really/622164/7 "2012-05-17T04:47:22Z")
> [@Zulema](#): > > I have some not Skechers brand shape-up type shoes and while they don’t make me look hot they are slightly more difficult to walk in then regular walking shoes. I probably use more energy and they probably work different muscles but not enough for any serious toning. They also keep some nagging ankle and shin problems from acting up and that’s the best thing about them. I have had shin problems for 30 years and wearing these I have none. > > I’m glad they’re getting busted for lying and using fake clinical results but I like them and hope I can always buy some. This. Of course they don’t do what the ads imply, but they do make you work a little harder while you’re walking, which probably does do something more than regular shoes do to your muscles. I walk quite a lot, but I don’t wear these every day, so I’m not getting as much good out of them as I might. My biggest complaint with the shoes is that they seem to be made out of cheap materials and the back of the inside at the ankle wore through very quickly. That’s why I will be glad to get some money back (as soon as I figure out how). Roddy ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2012, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skechers-shape-ups-dont-do-s-t-really/622164/8 "2012-05-17T07:01:09Z")
Super-glad I didn’t buy into the hype, and I’m glad they got fined. Maybe it’ll be a mild deterrent to other would-be-bullshitters. It’s much safer to take a walk through sand than it is to walk on solid ground with these things. I realize not everyone lives near beaches or sand. But hell, if you CAN, just run through dry sand for 30 seconds and your calves will feel the burn. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2012, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skechers-shape-ups-dont-do-s-t-really/622164/9 "2012-05-17T12:01:34Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > So advertisers should be allowed to lie as long as the lie is “obvious” enough? That would explain all those ads for **Axe** products, with their over-the-top sexy ads. ---
**Author:** ![Pai325](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Pai325](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pai325)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2012, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skechers-shape-ups-dont-do-s-t-really/622164/10 "2012-05-17T12:08:50Z")
> [@Zulema](#): > > I have some not Skechers brand shape-up type shoes and while they don’t make me look hot they are slightly more difficult to walk in then regular walking shoes. I probably use more energy and they probably work different muscles but not enough for any serious toning. They also keep some nagging ankle and shin problems from acting up and that’s the best thing about them. I have had shin problems for 30 years and wearing these I have none. > > I’m glad they’re getting busted for lying and using fake clinical results but I like them and hope I can always buy some. Mine are MBT, and they are the most comfortable shoes to walk in. It’s hard for me to find shoes that fit, but these do. That said, who in the world would believe they had some power to get people in shape or firm their butts? People will believe anything if they want to badly enough, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Postariti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Postariti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Postariti)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2012, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skechers-shape-ups-dont-do-s-t-really/622164/11 "2012-05-17T12:32:03Z")
I wear Shape Ups because they’re unbelievably comfortable. I knew they wouldn’t get me in shape, that’s ridiculous. But that thick, comfy sole is wonderful. I think they should get sued, because they told ridiculous lies. I just hope they keep selling Shape Ups. ---
**Author:** ![breezman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@breezman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/breezman)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2012, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skechers-shape-ups-dont-do-s-t-really/622164/12 "2012-05-17T14:17:39Z")
I bought a pair of shape-ups a few weeks ago because I liked them and they were on sale for $40. It took a couple of days to get used to them, and for those days some muscles in my legs were mildly sore. They’re a really good pair of shoes and they seem to work different muscles than other shoes, but I never expected to lose any significant weight by wearing them. ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2012, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skechers-shape-ups-dont-do-s-t-really/622164/13 "2012-05-17T14:29:54Z")
> [@Postariti](#): > > I wear Shape Ups because they’re unbelievably comfortable. I knew they wouldn’t get me in shape, that’s ridiculous. But that thick, comfy sole is wonderful. Yes. I tried them on because I had an awful plantar fasciitis flare going on, was in the mall and they just looked like a possibility. I almost cried when I stood in them because I had no pain in that foot and that was such a relief. Did I lose weight because I wore them? Nope, but I don’t at all regret the money that I spent on them because they helped so much with my real issue, which meant I could get back to exercising again. ---
**Author:** ![FloatyGimpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/floatygimpy/32/7750_2.png) [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2012, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skechers-shape-ups-dont-do-s-t-really/622164/14 "2012-05-17T14:46:36Z")
I bought some because I thought they were cute and trendy and blah blah blah. I put them on and went for a walk and they were, without a doubt, the most uncomfortable shoes I’ve ever worn. They made my feet pronate and after just a few minutes my ankles were killing me. I returned them. ---
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2012, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skechers-shape-ups-dont-do-s-t-really/622164/15 "2012-05-17T15:10:59Z")
You thought they were cute? Seriously? ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2012, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skechers-shape-ups-dont-do-s-t-really/622164/16 "2012-05-17T15:19:59Z")
I have a pair. I don’t work out or go running in them, as I prefer more support around my feet for those activities, but I otherwise find them pretty darn comfy. Like someone else said, my calves were a bit sore for a few days after I got them, but I never expected to lose lots of weight or get a six pack solely from them. That having been said, I think Sketchers should’ve gotten fined significantly more than $40 million. Deceptive advertising pisses me off. ---
**Author:** ![FloatyGimpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/floatygimpy/32/7750_2.png) [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2012, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skechers-shape-ups-dont-do-s-t-really/622164/17 "2012-05-17T15:30:09Z")
> [@Cubsfan](#): > > You thought they were cute? Seriously? I did. I like sort of chunky shoes. And people on TV wore them. TV never lies! ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2012, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skechers-shape-ups-dont-do-s-t-really/622164/18 "2012-05-17T15:57:03Z")
I think they look ridiculous! My sister in law has a pair and bought them because she was convinced they would help her lose weight. Nope. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2012, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skechers-shape-ups-dont-do-s-t-really/622164/19 "2012-05-17T16:43:56Z")
> [@Lsura](#): > > Did I lose weight because I wore them? Nope, but I don’t at all regret the money that I spent on them because they helped so much with my real issue, which meant I could get back to exercising again. So, indirectly… ---
**Author:** ![postcards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8e8cbc/32.png) [@postcards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/postcards)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2012, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skechers-shape-ups-dont-do-s-t-really/622164/20 "2012-05-17T17:09:03Z")
> [@Pai325](#): > > Mine are MBT, and they are the most comfortable shoes to walk in. It’s hard for me to find shoes that fit, but these do. Mine, too, and back when I spent a lot of time on my feet, walking on parquet floors, they were a godsend. I also had a black pair, so they looked better with a pair of khakis than running shoes did. I did find that standing still, I tended to rock back and forth slightly, though. But as for anyone who thinks a pair of shoes will help them lose weight, well… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skechers-shape-ups-dont-do-s-t-really/622164.md?page=2)