The Daily Telegraph reported on October 14 that a kind of "gym on your feet" footwear is flooding the mareket, which could tone up your legs and bum without having to resort to endless lunges and squats.

據英國《每日電訊報》10月14日報道，一種新型“腳部鍛煉鞋”正在市場上熱銷，穿上這種鞋子，無需再去進行無止盡的深蹲鍛煉，只需閑逛就可以拉長腿部線條。

It all started with MBTs (Masai Barefoot Technology), the chunky "anti-shoe". Research showed that the rolling action of the soles really could relieve back, neck and joint pain for many people and – as an added bonus – they helped to tone the lower body and burn more calories.

這種鞋子來源于馬賽赤腳科技，一種笨拙的“反常規鞋”。研究表明，對于大部分人來說，這種左右移動的鞋跟可以緩解背部、脖子和關節處疼痛。另外，它們還可以讓矮小者“變高”，燃燒更多的熱量。

Then FitFlops swept the UK with their funky sandals, furry boots and, new for this autumn, a fabulous platinum sneaker. Studies at the Centre for Human Performance at the London South Bank University showed that normal walking in the sandals increased leg, calf and gluteal muscle activity and improved posture and muscle tone.

FitFlops鞋充斥整個英國，它們有普通的涼鞋、毛茸茸的靴子，今年秋天，還有一款新式亮閃閃的鑲鉑金鞋上市。倫敦南岸大學人類工作效率研究中心研究表明，穿著涼鞋正常走路可以增加腿部、小腿和臀部肌肉的活動，改善人們姿態和提高肌肉張力。

The key lies in the soles – two rounded balance pods underneath the heel that create a slight instability with each step that forces your muscles to work harder to adapt. It’s a bit like walking on uneven sand. Reebok says this increases muscle activity in the glutes by 28 percent and in the calves and hamstrings by 11 percent.

鞋子的關鍵在鞋底，在鞋后跟下安置兩個圓形掌子，人們穿上鞋后走路就會產生輕微的不平衡，這樣人們就要努力調節肌肉使其盡快適應, 就像行走在不平的沙灘上。銳步鞋聲稱說這種鞋可以使臀大肌活動增加28%，小腿和腿筋活動增加11%。

However, these forms of functional footwear aren’t multi-purpose; even the EasyTone trainers are limited in their use. Because of their inherent instability they are not recommended for running, aerobics or playing sports.

但是，這些功能性的鞋子不是多用途的。就連EasyTone 運動鞋的用途也被限制在一定范圍內。因為這些鞋子存在固有的不穩定性，專家建議不要穿著它們進行跑步、健身操等運動。

Strength coach Michael Pellegrino also sounds a note of caution. "There is no substitute for real exercise and you should always choose footwear that is supportive to the feet and ankles," he says. He approves of MBTs as they "teach good posture and core control" but is unconvinced by the others. "They are gimmicks," he says. "They do make muscles work harder but not necessarily in a good way."

體能教練邁克爾•佩萊格里諾也給出忠告。他說：“沒有什么可以成為運動的替代品。你們應該選擇支持腳和腳踝的鞋子。”他稱贊馬賽赤腳技術鞋“支持力集中，可以塑性”，但是并不是適應所有人。他說：“這種鞋就是‘噱頭’, 它們盡力使肌肉進行活動，但不一定是好方法。”