First off, I don't have any foot or back pain; I was attracted to the idea of these shoes simply because of the fitness claims.

Deciding I had better try something like this on before purchasing, I went to Kohl's to check out the selection. Of the fewer styles available in a store than online, I picked these hoping they would match more of my workout gear than the rest. I have to say, I immediately found them incredibly ugly. I still do.

$100 later, I had the shoes home and was taking them for a test walk. I ignored the advice to use them for only 20 minutes at a time, max, at the beginning (this advice came to me on a handy little CD-ROM packaged with the shoes at the time; not sure if it still is). I wasn't in a bad way or anything, but I could definitely feel the burn ... or convinced myself I could.

For the next few weeks, I kicked my stylish Pumas under the bed in favor of these clodhoppers, using every step as a chance to push my body's muscles and every standing-around conversation as an opportunity to work my core. I didn't really notice any difference in my body, either its appearance or its improved resistance to these shoes.

Finally I lost interest in this and decided to resume my cardio workouts in shoes I felt good in, rather than convincing myself that it is a workout to run errands in these paddleboats of shoes. I really have to highlight yet again that these shoes are HIDEOUS. All shoes from this generation of Shape-Ups are. Just awful. Really, the only time you should buy something ugly is if it's, like, a pipe for your sink or something.

I notice that now the newest Shape-Ups are from the "Liv" line. These are sleeker, much more stylish sneakers with the same muscle-working benefits and a shape that does not announce to the world that you like platform sneakers. I may look into a pair of those. I also own a pair of MBTs - the "original" brand to make shoes of this style. MBT actually makes dress shoes with the rounded-off heel, and while they are unusual, they aren't ugly and they're perfectly fit for those with health issues who might find these comfortable and want to wear them all the time. But before you buy a pair of fad workout shoes that double as hand weights - unless you need them for your back - be sure you actually WANT them. Oh well; at least I have a matching pair of bookends now.