Shape-Ups are an innovative sneaker design marketed by Skechers. The most noticeable trait of the Shape Ups is the thick sole common to all of the models. This thick sole contains a soft foam wedge and a curved sole that forces the wearer to use their leg muscles to maintain stability as they walk.

The idea of creating a shoe that "unbalances" the wearer is not new. MBT marketed a line of shoes starting in the late 1990s that had a curved sole.http://us.mbt.com/Footer/Company/About-Us.aspx Other manufacturers have created other designs, such as spherical ball and heel surfaces. Skechers takes this one step further by keeping the curved sole and adding an active foam wedge inside the sole. This soft wedge forces the foot to move through the step like it was walking through sand. This action forces the wearer to provide additional muscular stability when walking. Skechers began marketing the Shape Ups sneakers in 2009 and have expanded their line to include many different models for men and women.

Skechers recommends wearing Shape Ups for low impact exercise such as walkinge or weight training, and also recommends the shoes for people who work on their feet. They do not recommend wearing the shoes for high impact exercise such as running or aerobics because of the natural instability in the sole.http://www.skechers.com/info/shape_ups_5_questions

Skechers' Shape Ups are available in a wide range of styles for both men and women. Some styles include traditional sneakers, strapped sandals, flip-flops, Mary Janes, and even boots. Shape Ups are also available in wide-widths.

Skechers' Shape Ups can be purchased directly through the Skechers web site, large retailers such as JCPenney, discount retailers such as Famous Footwear, and online through Amazon.com.http://www.skechers.com/info/shape_ups

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