Sarah Mirando  |  September 29, 2011

Category: Legal News

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Reebok EasyTone Shoe & Apparel Class Action Settlement

By Sarah Pierce

 

Reebok EasyToneWere you disappointed that you didn’t get the firm butt Reebok’s EasyTone shoes promised? Then you’ll be happy to hear that the Federal Trade Commission has secured a $25 million class action lawsuit settlement with Reebok International Ltd. to provide consumer refunds for making deceptive advertising claims. The Reebok EasyTone settlement also applies to those who purchased EasyTone apparel.

The FTC says the Reebok EasyTone class action lawsuit settlement is part of its “ongoing effort to stem overhyped advertising claims” after it charged Reebok with deceptively advertising that its EasyTone “toning shoes” would provide extra tone and strength to leg and buttock muscles.  

“The FTC wants national advertisers to understand that they must exercise some responsibility and ensure that their claims for fitness gear are supported by sound science,” said David Vladeck, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.

That’s good news for consumers, who have filed several class action lawsuits against athletic apparel companies for making bogus claims that their workout gear can sculpt and tone muscles. (See “Sketchers Shape-Ups Class Action Lawsuit,” “New Balance Toning Shoe Class Action” and “Fila Body Toning System Class Action Lawsuit.”)

The FTC alleges in the Reebok EasyTone class action lawsuit that Reebok made unsupported claims in advertisements that walking in its EasyTone shoes and running in its RunTone running shoes strengthen and tone key leg and buttock muscles more than regular shoes. The EasyTone class action also alleges that Reebok falsely claimed that walking in EasyTone footwear had been proven to lead to 28 percent more strength and tone in the buttock muscles, 11 percent more strength and tone in the hamstring muscles, and 11 percent more strength and tone in the calf muscles than regular walking shoes.

Under the Reebok EasyTone class action settlement, Reebok is barred from:
 
 — Making claims that toning shoes and other toning apparel are effective in strengthening muscles, or that using the footwear will result in a specific percentage or amount of muscle toning or strengthening, unless the claims are true and backed by scientific evidence;
 
 — Making any health or fitness-related efficacy claims for toning shoes and other toning apparel unless the claims are true and backed by scientific evidence; and

— Misrepresenting any tests, studies, or research results regarding toning shoes and other toning apparel.

The Reebok EasyTone settlement will also provide refunds to consumers who purchased EasyTone shoes (including EasyTone Flip, RunTone, TrainTone, JumpTone, SimplyTone and SlimTone) and EasyTone apparel (including EasyTone Capri, Pants, Shorts, Long Bra Top, Sleeveless Shirt and Short Sleeve Top).

The refund amount you can receive from the EasyTone settlement depends on how many people file eligible claims, but the guys at FrugalDesertDwellers.com say the amount could be around $50 for each pair of eligible shoes, $40 for each EasyTone Capri and EasyTone Pants purchased, and $25 for each EasyTone Sleeveless Shirt, Long Bra Top and Short Sleeve Top purchased. These amounts could be more (up to double!) or less, depending on how many eligible claims are paid out.

Apparently, no proof of purchase is necessary to file a claim unless you’re submitting a refund request of more than $200. But you will have to sign under penalty of perjury that you actually purchased the products you’re claiming a refund for.

You can file your claim to receive a refund from the FTC Reebok EasyTone Class Action Lawsuit Settlement at www.ReebokSettlement.com/FTC.

The FTC also suggests (in a nice way, of course) to not be so gullible when believing advertising claims for work-out gear and exercise equipment by suggesting you read “How’s that Work-Out Working Out? Tips on Buying Fitness Gear.”

 

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Updated September 29th, 2011

 

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9 thoughts onReebok EasyTone Shoe & Apparel Class Action Settlement

  1. Anonymous says:

    I just called the toll free number and they told me the amount of my check. I claimed 2 pr of shoes and two tops and my check is $131.17

  2. Anonymous says:

    like everybody else i bought a couple pairs of these and the out come was not good. i ended up with a broken ankle just stepping off the last stair on the staircase. needless to say i felt like i should have sued for more money but i just wanted my money back. so when will they be sending us our checks? i feel like i have been screwed over again just waiting to get my money back for the lousy shoes.. first i was told april, then first of summer, now if you don’t have it by august 8th there must be a problem. anyone know?

  3. Anonymous says:

    I bought a pair of easy tone shoes to wear at work and to teach group fitness class in. I’m a nurse and walk all day long so I though why not get a little toning in while I walk at work. After wearing my shoes for about 16 months I noticed my lower back would ache and felt oddly tight and started to wondered if it was my Reebok toning shoes. Then while at work one day my SI joint just locked up, it was the most painful injury I have ever had. I was unable to walk, my right hip and leg felt as though they were on fire, the sharp pains were horrible, I had MRI’s, I missed work, needed steroid injections just to walk, and Physical Therapy just to try and manage the ongoing pain I have. Remember was a fitness instructor and physically fit prior to this injury. I’m really angry regarding Reeboks false claims and how there shoes have changed the quality of my life.

  4. Anonymous says:

    i bought 2 pairs of the rebok easy tone i wore 1 pair to walk in we walked a mile around our lake we go to on weekends it was verry hard to walk in them lost my balance several times i stop wearing them im soon going to be 55 dont need broken bones. and they did nothen for my hips.

  5. Anonymous says:

    when will the settlement be mailed out.. and how much is thre least amount you will receive.

  6. Anonymous says:

    very uncomfortable.They didnt feel right after about 2-3 times of wearing them. After a while it makes my feet numb.

  7. Anonymous says:

    I brought the shoes in Aug. when I went on Vacation they are very comfortable, but my right leg muscle always ache and painful and one leg is bigger than then the other one. I learn about the action suit on the news on Fox 2 news.

  8. Anonymous says:

    Purchased run tone sneakers. After about a month of exercising with the sneakers, I tore a tendon in my left foot. My doctor said the Reebok run tone was too heavy of a shoe to run and exercise and to get a lighter sneaker. Run tone weights double the amount of regular sneakers.

  9. Anonymous says:

    I brought 3 pairs of reebox easy tone sneakers. One with The pink Stripe, Second one with the Blue Sripe and the Black pair.

    I have fell a couple of times wearing the sneakers. Especially, the black Pair that kept untieing. The black sneakers seemed to be much tighther.

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