By Sarah-Belle Murphy, 22 September, 2008
Australia is the land of the flip-flop. They are a wardrobe essential and if you don't own a pair, you are definitely in the Aussie minority. But what if your thongs could not only see you through summer but help you hone and tone your beach body too?
Well if fitness craze FitFlops founders are to believed, their 'work-out' shoes do just that. Sounds a little unbelievable? Health gave them a test run to find out if this was a fall-on-its-face fad or feasible and fabulous innovation.
The claim
FitFlops are thongs with which incorporate the inanely named 'mircowobbleboard'. Put in layman's the flip-flops have a tapered midsole that provide an uneven surface which makes walking in them more like going barefoot, thereby forcing the leg and bottom muscles to work harder. According to studies at the University of Salford, this midsole extends the amount of time the muscles produce energy during each step by approximately 10-12 percent.
The test-run
Given the mere mention of 'wobble' it's a natural assumption that walking in them will lead to a similar ungraceful swagger. Fortunately this isn't the case. The spongy soles about double the thickness of a regular pair of thongs — are undeniably comfortable and striding around quickly is easy.
Comforable as they may be, we quickly discovered that walking to the corner shop to pick up the newspapers, a cappuccino and butter croissant will not muster up any results. But popping them on for a long walk, is a far more successful affair.
The results
Having opted to wear the energy burners for the walk to work in the morning, the difference by the end of the first week was actually not a figment of the imagination. Thighs and bum felt noticeably firmer. By week two, the
'wobble' in the behind area had also improved.
How much it was down to more determined, not to mention more regular, walking trips or the technology is hard to say — but the simple notion that your footwear is toning you up is great motivation in itself.
Sadly, the cellulite reduction promises weren't fulfilled. Maybe it was too big a job for even FitFlops?
Aesthetics
A four-by-four of the shoe world, the Fitflop is hefty, high off the ground, burns up energy and favoured by yummy mummies. The regular versions leave little to win around the fashionista's savvy tastes — ungainly would be putting it mildly. That said their somewhat unappealing design has done little to put off the celebrities jumping on board the spongy little numbers — Heidi Klum, Kylie, Pamela Anderson and Jessica Alba have all been spotted in them. Miles from the red carpet of course.
Good news (depending on your tastes of course) the FitFlop team have cottoned on to the fact that more style-conscious buyers need a more fashionable version. So if you're quick you can snap up gladiator-inspired versions that are out in time for summer.
Alas, we started testing before this more savvy style emerged.
Rating
8/10 for results. An welcome addition in the quest for a better body. 3/10 for looks. Fitness not a fashion essential.
For more information on FitFlops check out www.thefitflop.com.au
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