14 DAY TRIAL // The hottest UK trend in fitness shoes has a name that will most likely stick to your memory and make you wonder - as it did to me - how come someone didn't think of this name any sooner. The FitFlops (that's right, they are actually called FitFlops) are... what else but a pair of flip flops with an added healthy twist. Their main purpose is to provide the wearer with a comfortable walking shoe while the trademark "micro-wobbleboard" technology aims to provide you with a workout as you run your daily errands. This way, your legs stay in shape and you manage that sometimes-impossible task of doing two things at once: walking and keeping fit.
The FitFlops were developed by Darren James and Dr David Cook at the London South Bank University. The shoes boast a safely-tapered midsole which, their creators claim, "places varying densities of EVA under your feet each time you step, to challenge the support and balance muscles of the foot and leg". EVA stands for Ethyl Vinyl Acetate and is a lightweight, flexible cushioning material used to make outsoles and midsoles for high-performance shoes. The FitFlops' midsoles contain a multi-density core, which stimulates hard to reach muscles in the wearer's legs.
"Studies at Salford University by Dr. Philip Graham-Smith and Richard Jones have shown that the FitFlop midsole extends the amount of time that the slow twitch* muscles are engaged during each step (by approximately 10-12%). So just by wearing a pair of FitFlops you'll get more exercise while doing just exactly what you're normally doing. (*slow twitch muscles produce energy by converting fats into energy aerobically)", the shoes' manufacturers explain on their website, adding that FitFlops also have a significant effect on the toning thigh muscles and have been proved to alleviate back pain and provide comfort while walking. Would you give them a try?
Below is a clip with more information on the fabulous FitFlops:
