Harley Pasternak Talks Toning Shoes

Shape-Ups, EasyTones, SimplyTone, Rock and Tone, MBT's...the list just keeps getting longer. But do these supposedly body sculpting super shoes actually do what they claim, and give you buns of steel?


Recently at Access Hollywood's "Stuff You Must Lounge," I ran into trainer to the stars Harley Pasternak, who set the record straight.

Pasternak has trained almost every A-lister you can imagine-Megan Fox, Lady Gaga, Kanye West, John Mayer, Jennifer Hudson. His bragging rights are legit.

"Seth Rogen's The Green Hornet is about to come out... Kanye West’s album is still breaking records and we’re traveling with Kanye a lot... Alicia Keys is coming back from having a baby... Lady Gaga’s new album is coming out...Katy Perry’s world tour…pretty busy!" Harley dished of all the A-list arrangements he's making this year.

So when Pasternak, a spokesman for New Balance's "True Balance," told me these shoes are the real deal, I listened.

"It’s a great way to add another few extra calories here and there," says Pasternak. "And that’s the key with my clients: burn a few extra calories whenever you get a chance."

Though they're not a replacement for other cardio, Harley says the shoes are just another great way to get in extra exercise.

"It does not replace the fact that you do need to do your workouts," says Harley. "You do need to do your cardio. You do need to eat properly. But if you work in an office you can go for a nice walk during lunch."


Harley tells me the way they work is very similar to how a stability ball works.

"The unstable surface you’re on forces the muscles of your lower body to have to work a little harder to stabilize yourself every time you step, every time you stand," says Harley. "Instead of standing on a flat surface, it’s like when people exercise on a stability ball. The extra little movements they need to correct themselves, that’s what you’re doing with these shoes."

Obviously the shoes are not a quick fix, but appear to be a good helper in the long run when it comes to toning and tightening.

For more info on Harley and his training methods, check out his 5-Factor Fitness Diet books or check out his upcoming 5-Factor Fitness Video Game due out later this year.