Fitness Footwear

Fox 5--Good Day New York—New York, NY—November 25, 2009

It's the newest trend: fitness footwear. Shoes that are supposed to help you get fit even if you're just taking a leisurely stroll.

All of them work in a similar way by creating a little instability so that you have to work harder as you walk.

Dr. Sapna Parikh had one young mom and a-mom-to-be try out three of the newest fitness shoes.

We checked in with Dr. Jonathan Deland to see what he thinks of fitness footwear. He's the Chief of Foot and Ankle surgery at Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan.

He says, “It’s not going to turn you into an iron man. It'll give you maybe 11 % or 20 % more activity, more use of muscles when you use these kinds of shoes.”

And he say don't believe all the claims and don't expect a miracle. Dr. Deland also emphasizes that you should not use any of these shoes if you have a condition that affects your balance or stability.