Kymberly Wiliams-Evans, MA and Alexandra Williams, MA
Who loves getting packages in the mail? We do! We do! Oooh…squeee! Free Skechers fitness shoes for us to use and review. Double ooooh, as those of you who have followed us for a while know that we are NOT fans of the rocker aspect. But we do have open minds and new closed-toed shoes to try out and report on.
Pink & Grey, just like Alexandra's Face & Hair!
We ripped open the package and found first a DVD with “Instructions.” Already we had to like that since we have unique senses of humor. The last time we got shoe instructions was when we learned shoelace tying in kindergarten. “Loop one bunny ear, then the other; send the rabbit around the hole, through the hutch, and ta dum! Shoes tied!” Aahh sweet memories of that and eating that white paste at recess after playing “cooties.”
Anyway… we decided to live life on the edge, skip the instructions and take our Skechers on all sorts of adventures to see what they could handle. Since we teach a variety of classes plus power walk almost every day, we thought our shoes should go with us.
Do Skechers make Kymberly's legs look longer? Just say "yes."
First up: Low Impact class with Kymberly and her spiffy looking Women’s SRR Pro Speed.
Report directly from Kymberly’s Skechers: “Yes, this was an excellent and comfortable experience. I made Kymberly’s feet dance and twirl in comfort and style. Do her pants make my tongue look big?”
Step, step, step to my Lou
Next up: Step class with Kymberly
Report from K’s Skechers: “Big no for this activity. Kymberly’s balance was all over the place and the up and down stepping, lateral moves, and my shoe tread combined with the step rubber did not really play well together. Our master looked styler at least (that’s what Kymberly insisted we call her or she was going to tie us in knots).”
Last in-class visit: Kymberly’s Strength Training Class with Tubing
Oops, we thought this was a snake.
No, I'm not being arch! Quit trying to resist!
Skechers shoes reporting directly: “Gotta say, I was comfy and foot supportive throughout. However, the tube exercisers insist on using had nowhere to fit under my rocker! That darn resistance tubing kept slipping out from underfoot as my shoe has no arch underneath to keep it in place. So, rocker type shoes and tubing are not destined to work out safely together. No way to anchor = tube snap!”
The Path to Happy Feet
Power Walking and Aerobic Moseying with Kymberly: Field report: “SUCCESS IS OURS! Being on Kymberly’s’ feet so long, I noticed she has arthritis in her big toes and a knee that has had two major surgeries. So normally long walks hurt her feet and knee. She is acutely aware of foot strike and impact issues and usually takes her shoes off the minute she gets home as her feet cramp. I overheard her tell her sister that these shoes were surprisingly the MOST comfortable ones she has walked in and that her feet felt cushioned, fully engaged in each stride, and very light and springy from start to finish! She even kept me on for hours afterwards walking around the house and generally being footloose and fancy free! Apparently I am ‘walkers’ not ‘rockers’!”
Kymberly: Bottom line, these shoes are now my favorite walking shoes. But when equipment is involved, naaah!
Alexandra’s Shoes and Reviews:
Alexandra: I got the Fitness Flex Tone-Ups, which have very little of the “rocker” tone-up aspect, which is actually why I selected that style.
Here’s what I like about them:
* very lightweight
* attractive colors
* extremely comfortable, even with my wide feet
* great breatheability (this means I don’t end up with stinky feet)
Here’s where I won’t wear them: Teaching classes. I tried them in many of my formats (step, strength, hi/low cardio, kickbox, sports training,, etc.) and they were too unstable. I get the Good Sport award for thorough testing! Here’s where I will wear them: Walking. For walking I loved them. Keep in mind that I was walking on an unstable surface, not a sidewalk.
Readers: We know some of you love them; some hate them. What’s your experience with the shoes? Do you feel drunk without having to actually drink when wearing them?
Photo Credits: I poached the Fitness Flex shoe pic off the Skechers site by doing a screen shot. Kymberly took all the other photos.
My father is a BIG believer in these shoes! He is over 60 and wears them daily. As a plant manager he has to wear steel toed shoes to work and guess what, Sketchers makes a steel toed version! His calves have great definition and he prefers them to any other shoe now.
Good story ladies!
Wow, I did not know that they made steel-toed work shoes. You learn something new every day. With those great calves, your dad probably gets all kinds of attention!
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Fix That Posture!
I feel like my feet are shot from being on my feet all day. I am a teacher. I wonder if they would help me feel more comfortable?!
Lolo recently posted..Kindle Giveaway from BSMB
Hi Lolo, not if you’re on a flat, stable surface. They are great for the park or playing field, though.
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..All Sizes Welcome: Fitness Pros Want YOU in their Classes and Clubs
First of all thanks for sharing this great article. Second I really like the way you made the pictures with only shoes on it. Great work and keep on the good work!
Peter recently posted..kantoormeubels
Dank U well, Peter. We are always trying to think of eye-catching details to please our readers. Ideas and suggestions always welcome. And am I right, does your site say “Office Furniture?”
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..3 Things That Do NOT Help You To Get Flat Abs
Haha, you are funny! I was laughing loud at the walking style, and the dusty socks part!
Sketchers have been my favorite brand, when I was a teenager, I even bougt 2 pairs of ballerina shoes from them some years ago.
Anna recently posted..tooth crown
I’ve tried them on in the store, but didn’t want to commit! Thanks for the great review.
Diane Fit to the Finish recently posted..It’s Beginning to Look Like Christmas at Our House
So Diane, what did you do in the end – go back and buy them or wait to further assess?
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..All Sizes Welcome: Fitness Pros Want YOU in their Classes and Clubs
Thanks for sharing the information about these great shoes. I feel the colors they are offering is wonderful. Almost all shoes are good till we walk on a flat surface. I love walking through forests and would love to buy them.
Steve recently posted..The Obvious Connection Between Hives and Stress
Before telling you about my experience with my shoes, I need to thank you a lot for listing out the features of Sketchers. I love my shoes but I hate them for the stinky feet I am left with after the daily walk. If breathability is what sketcher offers then I must try them. Can you tell me the price, if possible?
John recently posted..The best breakup songs that help me get through my day
I have a pair of the Pro Speed SSR that I was hoping to use for my couch to 5 k, but I find I get shin splints and hip pain post run. Something I don’t experience with my other shoes. I do love the sketchers for walking and they sure are sexy looking! I should try them out during a Ugifit workout and see how they do. Great post!
Julia recently posted..Fox Home Entertainment – Christmas 2011
We got these for my inlaws – they both have bad knees. They say it has help tremendously.
Emily faliLV recently posted..Fairy Sprinkles in my INBOX | Fairy Hobmother
I’m with Kymberly, not dusty sketchers for these gals!
Dr. Lynn, Certified Personal and Executive Coach
http://www.lynnkjones.com
Business and Life Coach recently posted..Featured Get Your MoJo! Guest Blogger: Barbara Kline,Serial Entrepreneur
Thank you for your info, and these shoes looks to be so cute and colorful. I love comfortable and spots shoes. I always think that the comfortable feeling is most important when I choose one shoes. So I love put them on gong anywhere and do not cared about being tired,
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