Although they promise numerous health benefits, toning shoes pose a risk of serious injuries, including stress fractures, broken bones and other injuries as a result of losing balance and falling while wearing toning shoes such as Skechers Shape-ups and Reebok EasyTones.  The heightened injury risk comes from the unique rounded sole of the foot, which drastically changes the way a person walks. In theory, this may be beneficial for some people, but many people have gait variations that can become much more pronounced when wearing toning shoes. Hip, knee, ankle and foot injuries are all common injuries sustained by consumers who have purchased toning shoes.  Elderly adults, obese people,  and those with poor balance, reduced sensation in their feet or chronically weak ankles are especially susceptible to injury. Toning shoe injuries can result from long-term wear, such as femur stress fractures, or fall-related injuries, such as ankle fractures.

Toning Shoe Slip and Fall Injuries

By their nature, rounded sole toning shoes force wearers to work harder to maintain balance. The natural instability of the shoes can easily cause wearers to slip and fall. sustaining strained tendons, broken bones, sprained ankles, and other fall-related injuries. Certain toning shoes with poor traction are especially problematic, and walking on slippery surfaces can also increase fall risk. Other injuries can result from long-term everday use, including working and exercising. Reebok even manufacturers a Runtone jogging shoe featuring “instability pods” to tone while jogging or running.  Skechers packaging advises consumers that Shape-ups “are designed for low-intensity activities such as standing and walking and not for running or vigorous sports.”

Toning Shoe Injuries Could Be Prevented

Toning shoe manufacturers did not take the time to test out the shoes to determine if wearing the shoes was actually safe, and what were the long-term effects of wearing toning shoes on a daily basis.  Millions of consumers purchased toning shoes, believing the shoes were safe and effective. Now, consumers are reporting broken bones and other serious injuries that have required surgery, hospitalization, and extensive rehabilitation. If toning shoe manufacturers had taken the time to have their products tested, hundreds, if not thousands, of serious injuries could be prevented.  As of May 22, 2011, 36 people reported injuries associated with toning shoes to the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s product complaint database, including 15 reports of broken bones. The actual number of injuries is likely much higher, as many people do not report injuries to the CPSC, or even associate injuries from wearing the toning shoes. Advocates of toning shoes claim that most injuries are a result of misuse of the shoes.

Toning Shoe Lawsuit Information

Estey Bomberger is an accomplished team of California defective product lawyers who have recovered millions of dollars for people seriously injured by defectively designed and manufactured products.  If you have suffered a serious injury from wearing toning shoes such as Skechers Shape-ups, Reebok EasyTones, MBT Sport Walkers, Crocs Toning Shoes, or AVIA Avi-Motion Toning Shoes, contact our toning shoe lawsuit lawyers for a free consultation. You may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries from the manufacturer of the toning shoe. We are committed to helping your protect your rights and recover the maximum compensation you deserve. Because you only have a limited amount of time to pursue a claim, time is of the essence. Contact us today to discuss your legal rights.