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It is hard to believe that anything so inherently ugly as the MBT shoe could ever catch on with either the younger generation or the fitness fanatics but it has. The shoes or I suppose they should be called trainers have thick curved soles and wide straps across the front. Currently the are available in over 20 countries and have sold more than a million pairs a year. Considering that they have a price tag of around $200 it is even more remarkable.

MBT shoes, which stand for Masai Barefoot Technology were invented by Karl Muller a Swiss engineer. He suffered back and knee problems but on a trip to Korea he noticed that after walking barefoot through paddy fields the symptoms were relieved. With further research he discovered that the Masai tribesmen from Kenya did not suffer back problems and had perfect posture. Putting these two facts together he decided that the answer was because they were walking on soft surfaces which yielded as they trod on them. This was unlike in Europe and America where we tend to walk on firm surfaces such as sidewalks.

The first MBT was manufactured in 1996 and soon became popular on continental Europe. Since then many celebrities have been seen sporting MBTs. The concept basically is that the curved sole creates instability as you walk, which mimics the effect of walking barefoot. To counteract this the foot uses muscle to counter this and creates a natural body training effect.

The makers claim that this natural instability strengthens the muscles,

Hence, walking in MBT shoes doesn't only make things easier on your joints; it also helps to build muscle tone. When you walk around in these shoes you are stimulating muscles in your body that have long laid dormant. This will increase muscle tone and can even improve your posture.MBT Shoes Ireland  now offers a wide variety of shoes for the whole range of the human experience. They have shoes for the office, for going out to a nightclub, or for heading out on a vigorous walk. There is no reason to torture your feet any longer. Here are a few examples of exciting offerings from MBT Shoes Discount   . This design by MBT is perfect for everyday wear at your place of business. It mimics the classic Mary-Jane style but with the extra feature of the patented MBT sole system. The Tunisha comes in either black leather or grape leather. The black version is a more reserved option, while the grape color will show off your brighter side. Both selections feature the signature Mary-Jane strap that secures the top of the foot.

increases muscle activity, calorie burn and blood circulation. They also say that it reduces the shock forces on joints which help prevent a variety of degenerative muscular and skeletal problems including back pain.

These are pretty bold claims but there is no doubt that MBT shoes are popular both as recreation and sportswear. A study by Sheffield Hallam University recently concluded that MBT shoes were better for the knees ankles than normal shoes. The study also concluded that if you walk correctly you would take shorter strides while walking in MBTs. Shorter strides would mean more steps and more expending of energy and this would increase your calorie burn.

As to the question of whether they are worth the money I suppose this has to be a personal judgement. If you spend long periods of time on your feet then you may benefit from them. However, if you are someone who just goes for gentle walks to keep fit then perhaps a good pair of conventional trainers at half the price will be fine.