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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
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386 thoughts onSkechers Shape-Ups Class Action
I bought a pair of shape ups in 2010, but didn’t use them much till 4 years later. While working as a server in a busy restaurant, I began to wear them everyday for the cushioned arch support they provided compared to my other footwear. I wore them for a year till my father, a former shoe store manager, heard me complain of my knee pain and adamantly recommended discontinuing their use. By then, my knee pain was so bad, I’d be limping and almost in tears at the end of just a 3 hour shift despite wearing a knee brace on my right leg. I thought I’d just been walking too much for work, but the pain became less constant after just a week of discarding the shape ups. After a couple months, I could perform my job without the brace and would only occasionally feel an ache in my knee instead of stabbing pain. It’s been over 2 years since I stopped using my shape ups and to this day, I will sometimes feel pain in my right knee if I walk too far. I live in a snowy area and had to wear snow boots out today, and ended up half limping half leaning against my grocery cart just doing my weekly shopping. I’m not even 30 yet and fear how this effect might change as I age. I had no pre-existing conditions or anything of the like to have contributed to this. If you’re doubting wearing shape ups, please err on the safe side and toss them out!
Sketchers shoes have RUINED my life!!!!
they threw my hip out so bad that I have been three times to physical therapy, have had shots in my hip for pain relief and they wanted to start shots in my spine since the pain was so severe. I have been to a chiropractor to try to get relief. Now, I am getting acupuncture. I have been doing acupuncture for the last 2 years and it has become ongoing to keep the pain in check. These shoes were the worst invention. Yeah, if you look like Brooke Burke and walk across a stage to demonstrate them it may be okay. but, when you are used to walking at least 3 miles a day and now can barely get up a set of stairs – it’s absolutely abominable!!!!! This company should be defunct. Every one who worked in design surely needs to find a new profession.
Sad that I ever believed their advertisements. I am the one suffering forever!!!
I bought two pairs of skechers shape ups sneakers from shoebuy online. A black and Lt brown pairs in feb 2013. my knees and back began to hurt, so I went to the doctor. my doctor told me to stop wearing the sneakers because they was harmful to wear. So I got on line and fought this site. I stop wearing my skechers ups I’ve had absolutely no more back pain, my knee pain has subsided. I’m so upset that I paid all that money for something I thought I was doing something good for my body, but I was just injuring it. Please let me know about this class action suit. THANKS!
My husband bought me shape ups because he heard they were good for walking, which I do a lot of at work. I wore them almost everyday for close to 2 years. My pain had become so great that I couldn’t put weight on my feet in the mornings, practically crawling around to get ready for work. My hips have had a constant ache. Never really severe but just always there. My right knee would cause pain so severe that by the end of my work days, I’d be crying and limping. More recently, I have developed a severe pain in my left heel. Well, I’ve really worn the shape ups out & got new shoes for Christmas. Since I’ve stopped wearing my shape ups, I’ve had absolutely no hip pain. NOT Once. My knee pain has subsided, no more limping, only occasional pain-not daily, my feet no longer hurt every morning & I can walk in the mornings. My left heel is still in severe pain, but it’s due to not stretching out my hamstring. I have to have physical therapy to slowly stretch the muscle to its full length again since it hasn’t been able to do that while wearing the shape ups for 2 years. I have to lay in bed each morning & slowly stretch my hamstring & my foot before I can safely stand without further injuring myself. I never would’ve thought shoes could cause so much pain & discomfort. I’m so upset that I thought I was doing good for my body, but all along I was just injuring it.
82vsd
Have been wearing these shoes for several years thinking it was good for me. May of this year had to have back surgery for severe sciatic nerve damage and spinal fusion, doctor said shoes probably could have been contributing to problem.
I bought my pair of shape-ups SRT in ’11 and didn’t think twice about these shoes being the reason for increased lower back pain and now pain in my knees around the patella.
In 2009 I brought a pair of the Scetchers shape ups. I did not like those shoes because I was always hurting my ankles, so I stopped wearing them and threw them away about two years ago
To whom it may concern,
I bought and had been wearing two pairs of Skechers Shoes, with rocker bottoms for about two years, when my knees began hurting so bad I went to the doctor, where I was told I had torn meniscus. I had a black pair and a white pair as I like to have two pairs of sneakers because they wear out easy. I subsequently over heard, the other day that they can be harmful to wear, so I looked it up online before taking them to the Goodwill. They are in excellent shape. But now, I won’t take them so as not to not let them injure someone else. But, my work involves being on my feet for long periods I am now disadvantaged in the work place because of my injuries. Please do let me know of this class action suit. I have noticed that my ankles began hurting a lot a couple weeks ago, not suspecting these new hyped up shoes.
Thank you very much for your time and consideration.