Barefoot shoes is a term that comes up more and more nowadays. Gaining popularity because of the testimonials from the ones that use them; they have been written about basically in every paper and magazine with dignity. The full name of the shoes are Masai Barefoot Technology shoes, and is an invention of the Swiss engineer Karl Muller. He had been suffering from severe back and neck pain for years, and was in his research noticing that the Masai people in the north- west of Africa had a straight, upright body position and seemed to have very little back problems. He realized that it had all to do with the barefoot walking that the Masais did under long hunting and nomadic periods. Walking barefoot on uneven ground seemed to keep the Masai really fit. Karl Muller started to develop a shoe that would imitate that; walking barefoot on different surfaces. The final product was the barefoot shoes, and when trying them on for the first time, you will really get the feeling of walking on sand; uneven with some resistance.
The barefoot shoes has become a popular way of walking off cellulites and reducing back, hip and foot problems. And sure, the numbers from research , by among others Sheffield Hallam University in England, about muscle effectiveness are quite astonishing. The studies shows that the shoes increased the activity of the buttock muscles by 9% while walking and standing, increased the activity of the rear thigh muscles by 18% and increased the muscle activity of the lower extremities by 19%. Besides that, the study showed that wearers take in 2.5% more oxygen than those walking in conventional shoes. Isn't that something? No wonders that those shoes can be seen on Madonna, Angelina Jolie, Teri Hatcher, Heidi Klum, Liz Hurley, Cher, Sadie Frost and other Hollywood celebs eager to stay in shape.
A friend of mine, that is the Director of an ethnology museum in a minor Midwest town, claims that her back aches and heavy legs, that always exhausted her at the end of her work day, are all gone now, since she's only using Barefoot shoes during her work day. Her posture is much better and buttock and hamstrings muscles are much firmer. And that only by using them during the office day.
The shoes takes a little time to get used to, and can feel a bit wiggly at first. The best thing is to practice a little day by day, until you can use them fully. To totally master walking in them usually takes about 1-2 moths. After that you can use them as much that is comfortable. You can wear them at work, walking the dog, simply whenever. I personally use them at least three times a week, when I go out fitness walking with my Nordic walking sticks. The sticks and the walking poles in combination sure are a fully equipped gym, and a walk three times or more a week will keep you in great shape.