"Toning" shoes are a scam! Duh!

A pair of unstable sneakers will not strengthen your core, will not firm up your butt and will not help you lose weight. That's what the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said, so take those "Shape Up" shoes off before you fall on your ass and hurt yourself.

The FTC, the agency in charge of protecting consumers, on May 16 announced that Skechers USA Inc., the company that makes the Shape Up shoes, agreed to pay $40 million to settle charges that the company deceived consumers by making unfounded claims that Shape-ups would help people lose weight, and strengthen and tone their butt, legs and abs.

But the best part is that the FTC also says that the consumers who bought these “toning” shoes will be eligible for refunds either directly from the FTC or through a court-approved class action lawsuit, and can submit a claim here.

I'm not surprised that a corporation deceived consumers. That happens every single day, unfortunately. What boggles my mind is that people will buy anything that promises an easy solution.

And buy they did. Skechers was the market leader in the toning footwear category, with sales peaking in 2010 at close to $1 billion, according to the FTC. Shape-up fitness shoes, which Skechers introduced in April 2009, cost consumers about $100 a pair. Resistance Runner, Toners, and Tone-ups became available in mid-2010, and retailed for $60 to $100 a pair, the FTC says.

Industry wide sales for these shoes are expected to increase to $1.5 billion this year. People keep buying them even though they don't work.

When I first saw the ads for the Shape Ups I thought of twisted ankles, busted knees and hip replacements. Well, call me psychic! They're an ambulance chaser's dream!

According to an article from San Diego's 10news.com, more than 60 people are being represented by a San Diego law firm in a mass tort case against shoe maker Skechers, with 49 others waiting to join the suit.

Among the injuries the so-called "toning" shoes are claimed to have caused are head trauma, broken hips, broken femurs, broken ankles and even brain injury in one case. And this is only one of many lawsuits out there.

To all those who bought the wobbly shoes: I hope you learned your lesson without getting hurt in the process. Now go get your money back.