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You’ve seen the commercials for Skechers “Shape-ups” shoes, where people such as former NFL quarterback Joe Montana claim wearing the rocker-bottom shoes gets them in shape “without setting foot in a gym.” But are these shoes really all they’re cracked up to be? Not according to a federal class action lawsuit, which claims that not only does Skechers falsely advertise the health benefits of its Shape-Ups shoes, but that the shoes can actually cause injury.
Skechers claims in its advertisements that wearing Shape-Ups can result in noticeable physiological improvements, including weight loss, firmer and stronger muscles, reduced cellulite, improved circulation, and improved posture. These claims, Skechers says, are based on results shown in four clinical studies. According to the class action lawsuit, however, these claims are false.
“Shape-ups provide no health benefit to users beyond what any other ordinary sneaker provides. Worse, Shape-ups have actually injured some consumers,” the lawsuit says. “[Skechers’] false and misleading advertising campaign has allowed it to reap millions of dollars of profit at the expense of the consumers it has mislead.”
The lawsuit alleges the four clinical studies Skechers uses as evidence of Shape-ups’ health benefits are “medically, statistically and scientifically unsound,” and that they are “nothing more than marketing tools.” Studies on Shape-ups and similarly designed rocker-bottom shoes performed by objective third parties have found these types of shoes do not have the benefits that Skechers claims.
“Not only do Shape-ups not provide the benefits as claimed, they have significant drawbacks which Skechers has omitted from its advertising.” The class action lawsuit cites several doctors’ comments published in news reports that state rocker-bottom shoes such as Shape-ups can cause injuries, because they change the person’s walk or gait and are unstable for users who have flat feet or those who have pre-existing difficulties maintaining their balance. They also allegedly can cause injuries in areas that are responsible for maintaining balance, such as the hamstring or ankle.
If certified, the class action lawsuit will seek damages and refunds for consumers who purchased Shape-ups. A copy of the Skechers Shape-ups Class Action Lawsuit can be read here.
NEW DETAILS ON HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR CLAIM IN THE SKECHERS FTC AND CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT SETTLEMENTS IS AT http://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/1881-skechers-toning-shoe-class-action-lawsuit-settlement
Updated May 17th, 2012
All class action and lawsuit news updates are listed in the Lawsuit News section of Top Class Actions
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386 thoughts onSkechers Shape-Ups Class Action
I got my shape ups last chrismas 2012, since then i strated using them wherever i go, and i also use them at work, after a month, me knees habe been hurting a lot, until now.. how will i file a complaint and get a refund coz i thought it’s for fitness..
I have been wearing Shape ups for about 2 years and I love them. I have a Mortons Nuroma and the way the Shape ups are built it literally gets me off the part of my foot the hurts where normal shoes hurt my foot. Now I am having a hard time finding them…..Bunch of cry babies.
I have 2 pairs and wore them for three yrs and have such pain in my legs and feet andwas being medically treated. Also got diagnosed with spinal stenosis recently but these shoes have made me fall and changed my gait so much! I dont wear them since my daughter just recently told me theyre not made anymore. I just realized theres a class action lawsuit on this company!! Im pissed!!
I bought 2 pairs of the Skechers tone-ups and over the past 2 years I have been suffering with lower back pain that runs down the thighs to both knees…it also runs down to my feet. I have been diagnosed with a pinched nerve in the Sciatic notch, loss of cartilage in my right knee and severe tibial nerve dysfunction in my right foot. The left foot has recently developed some of the same syptoms as the right. The pain is excrutiating,and my podiatrist actually told me ‘Do not wear those shoes, they are like wearing a cast’
My primary care doctor believes my problems are the skechers shoes. I did not buy the shoes for exercise, I bought them for work…I own a business, I am very busy and always on my feet. Since this pain has started I have had to alter my work habits. I do not recommend these shoes, they do not flex with your foot, shoes should be flexible and move like a foot does.
I filed with the class-action lawsuit, electronically back in May (2012). Does anyone know what is happening? Should we file again since the lawsuit was updated? Does anyone know what’s going on?
I swear by my Shape ups. I’ve been wearing them for years and currently have about six pairs. Reading the comments: what a BUNCH OF KLUTZES WE HAVE. SOME PEOPLE ARE TOTALLY INCOMPETENT TO WALK ON TWO FEET. BUT WHAT WOULD YOU EXPECT OF MODERN DAY MAN?
This pair of shape ups were “dangerous’ to wear – when turning around they could very easily cause one to fall!
signed – gordon henspeter
P O box 1456 – Covina, Ca. 91722
Ive had the shoes since they came out. I’ve had 3 pair myself and 2 for my girlfriend. I just stopped wearing them. The job I did before it was great for the extra cushin. These were everyday shoes. Had a pair for work and a pair for play. I twisted my ankle several times but never went to the Dr. They seemed to reduce my lower back pain. But since I STOPPED wearing them I realize what they have done. My ankles, hurt my legs are sore, my knees are on fire the worse and my hips as well. These shoes made an unnatural complacency and now going back to regular shoes I feel the damage they have done. I filed the lawsuit thing online thinking cool ill get 30 or 40 back for each pair but now I see it’s gonna be more cause I’m 36 and I’m walking slower with pain than my dad that’s 68.
I fell at church standing up to sing my calves gave out.
I walked all summer about 3-4 miles a day wearing the skechers shoes. I have a major pain in my left knee for the past 3 months. I am a regular walker so was not sure what was going on. Now my left knee hurts so bad, I am unable to do the everyday stuff like pick up my baby and get up, bend knee to perform chores around the house. Seeing the doctor this week. Paid about $100 on skechers for 2010 Christmas . And now preparing to see more doctor bills…