These skecher shape-ups were given to me as a birthday present so I was lucky to not have to pay for them myself. It took me about 5 minutes to get used to them. I wear them a lot. They are the most comfortable shoes I own. I can feel the muscles in my calves and up my thighs into my glutes after I have done some walking. I believe that they are helping to work those muscles. I have been finding excuses to do more walking ( parking the car farther from the store, walking instead of taking the car to nearby places, etc.)If you can afford them, I certainly recommend them. I am getting a lot of use out of them and they seem to be holding up very well.