Facts about Fitflops

The footbed in your Fitflop will mould to the shape of your feet after a week or more of wear and they will challenge people with varying fitness levels differently so if you’re already super-fit, you’ll likely describe your fitflop Walkstar as ‘super comfortable’ rather than ‘super workout!’

The FitFlop Walkstar microwobbleboardTM midsole is constructed out of non-absorbent EVA material and built to last ensuring they should be good for months of intensive wear and tear or discarded because of odour build-up. Developed by Darren James and Dr David Cook at LSBU, the FitFlop's unique safely tapered midsole places varying densities of EVA under your feet each time you step, to challenge the support and balance muscles of the foot and leg.

FitFlops slow the eversion rate of the average person's step, so that the time the muscle spends in an active state is increased during every step. The muscle fibers activated are the "slow twitch" type, which are the fibres that create longer, leaner-looking limbs.

The FitFlop Walkstar gives your backside a workout. Studies at The Center for Human Performance at LSBU show that walking in the FitFlop engages the gluteus maximus muscles more than walking in normal trainers or standard issue flip flops. FitFlops have been clinically proven to increase the amount of time that the gluteus maximus muscle is 'activated' during every single step.

Walking in a FitFlop Walkstar is like barefoot walking but better. Studies done at Salford University in Manchester showed that walking in FitFlops is as healthy for your posture as walking barefoot, but with the added benefit of reduced joint strain and shock. FitFlops have been shown to have a significant effect on the toning muscles of your thighs: The rectus femoris muscle (one of the large muscles in the group of muscles in your thigh) is activated for a longer period of time while walking in FitFlops than while normally shod or barefoot .

They challenge hard to reach muscles more. FitFlops are engineered with a multi-density midsole that stimulates your muscles more while you're wearing them. In independent University testing, FitFlops have been shown to trigger increase gluteal muscle response, increased hamstring response, increase rectus femoris (thigh) response and increased calf muscle response.

Every step you take in your FitFlops helps tone and trim your legs: Studies at Salford University by Dr. Philip Graham-Smith and Richard Jones have shown that the FitFlop midsole extends the amount of time that the slow twitch*  muscles are engaged during each step (by approximately 10-12%). So just by wearing a pair of FitFlops you'll get more exercise while doing just exactly what you're normally doing. (*slow twitch muscles produce energy by converting fats into energy aerobically)

FitFlops make it easier to stay in shape. Just throw them on while you're running errands, walking to work, or working around your house. Most first-time FitFlop wearers report feeling their muscles working more, while 'fitter' wearers feedback has been more toward great comfort and cushion.