We just received the brand new Reebok Easy Tone, kicking off our 30 day road test of the sneaker that promises to give muscles a workout and tone legs while going about our usual daily activities (shopping, running errands, walking to work or school...) A workout without hitting the gym? Count us in!
The shoe incorporates a unique "core" ball technology, which shifts air back and forth within the shoe each time you step, creating instability so your muscles get more of a workout...which tones your legs. According to Reebok, a person wearing EasyTone will experience increased muscle activation* in her glutes (28%) and in key muscles in her hamstrings (11%) and calves (11%). Plus, they're 3X softer than foam based walking shoes.
Our first impressions? The sneaker is most definitely soft and cushiony - and much better looking than MBTs and Fit Flops. Stay tuned over the next month as we report back our results from wearing the sneakers in our daily life.
$109.99 at reebok.com
(this post was sponsored by Reebok)
While we're busy testing out the EasyTones, we'd love to hear what YOU do to stay fit without hitting the gym. We're giving away a pair of EasyTones to the reader who gives us the most creative response, so post your comments below!


Whenever I drive, I watch for shadows. When my car is in shadows, I tense my core and glutes. When my car is in the sun, I can relax! So far nobody else in the car has realized... I think it might be a little embarrassing to explain!
I work from home, so I also work out from home. I download yoga, strength & sculpting workout from iTrain and do them in my kitchen 4 days a week. I get some cardio from the sculpting workouts, but I also jump rope (yes, in my kitchen) and run. On weekends I play ice hockey.
Chasing after twin toddler boys is my main workout!!
I am the queen of multi-tasking so I do my leg stretches while I brush my teeth that way I get it done every day!
I do lots and lots of lunges. Picking up a toy, lunge. Walking through the backyard, lunge. I also walk as often as I can. I like to park in the spaces furthest out from wherever I'm going and always take the stairs.
My BF and I are way into backpacking light. We hike almost every weekend (8+ miles at least) and now that the weather is warming up we camp, too. Hiking will kick your butt, but it's SO worth it!
Does thinking about working out count? I walk and run mostly on the weekends but am constantly on the go so if the sneaks can help - I am in...can't wait to hear if they work.
I like to stay fit without hitting the gym by spending time in the good old fashioned outdoors. I love exercising outside, especially now in the springtime! I enjoy going for walks in the park where I can take in the relaxing scenery and get a workout. I also like to ride my bike in the park. Going up hills is a fantastic workout and you can definitely feel the burn without going to a gym!!!
I'm a student and I bike to school. I have little time to hit the gyms (because i have to hit the books) so i make the most out of my trek to school. On the way back I take the long way through a park. It's saved me money and i'm getting in better shape :)
I joined a local bootcamp (Extreme Bootcamp), we meet everyday at 6m for one hour, it's always outdoors at different locations so it's never boring. Since we see each other every day it becomes a great support group and the camaraderie is amazing, we encourage each other and count on each other being there, so it's hard to miss a day. Since it's early, I'm home when the kids/husband get up and don't have to worry about baby sitting to go to the gym etc. Try it!
There are some "workouts" that I participate in that aren't entirely appropriate to post here, so I shall have to choose something else. I expend a lot of energy chasing my boyfriend around, trying to steal his cans of soda so I can pour them out (he drinks waaay too much Coke). This usually results in mild kickboxing and extreme tussling. Anything that ends with sweat and panting I consider to be a pretty good workout! ;)
Plus, every time I get naked (especially if there's a mirror around) I suck everything in and tense my core and glutes. I go shopping a fair amount, so my abs are pretty good.
I really really hate working out, but don't feel right without SOME physical activity at least several times a week- I decided to solve this two months ago by doing workouts with Fit TV's "All Star Workouts"(plus it was cheaper than a gym membership, since I already pay for cable!) Most of the episodes I like involve some sort of Hip Hop Dance, but let's be honest here- I am not even close to a coordinated person, let alone a dancer. Needless to say there is a huge window in my living room where I do these routines to the TV, and even though I have a blast getting my awkward groove on, I can't help but wonder if my neighbors are laughing and putting me up on YouTube. (Maybe having some super sneakers and taking a few laps around the block may be less embarrassing? :P)
I get a lot of extra exercise by using the stairs in my office rather than the elevator. I sit on the fourth floor in my building but have to travel to various floors and buildings throught our campus for meetings multiple times a day. This probably adds up to an extra 30 minutes a day.
I dance. All the time. I sign up for salsa or hip-hop classes whenever I can. But if I'm tight on cash, I turn on my radio and dance around for about 10 minutes before I get my shower in the morning. It always makes me happy and it wakes me right up!
While I'm at work, I sit near the edge of my chair and lift and hold my legs, which is a great lower ab work out. I also tense my stomach muscles throughout the day. When I'm watching TV at home I will do sit ups or jumping jacks during commercials.
No matter who I'm with, if I'm out for a leisurely walk, I will break out in lunges while walking. For extended distances. While the person beside me is forced to walk along as if there is nothing out of the ordinary.
I can only imagine how much awesomer my walks will be rockin' these new Reebok Easy Tones! :)
I wear business atire to work. Employee parking is along the out road of our parking lot and with a walk of 5 minutes or more just to get into the building and then up 3 flights of stairs. I find wearing my running shoes much better than my high heels. I have ruined a few pairs of heels by running into work and hitting the cracks in the pavement and not to mention this just being plain hard on them. (and my feet) These new EasyTone shoes would be GREAT! A workout on my way into work plus I walk my two dogs in the evening. I would love to try these out!! I am so excited about this concept Reebok is using in within the shoe itself!
My grandmother suffers from Parkinsons disease and is wheel chair bound most of the time. When I go visit on Sundays, we turn on the Salsa station and dance around. She sits in the chair and I push her to and fro, spin around, etc. Its a great upper body work out, and the salsa dancing really tones the legs. Wicked booty and angelic soul in one stop :)
Since I work in front of the computer all day, I try to take my workout outside! I run/walk for about an hour every morning and a half hour during my lunch. That 100+ degree Las Vegas weather takes its toll all right! When I get home I stretch out with some Yoga in the yard. After that it's ALL about the abs. :) I'm also big into shakes-the Whey protein is awesome for that extra energy boost at the beginning of my day!
When I'm not in the mood to drive all the way to the gym or am bored of my standard routine, I put on some good tunes, pump up the volume and dance alone in my room for a good 45 minutes! Absolutely the most fun workout ever, but also surprisingly effective. Integrate squats, lunges, jumping jacks...whatever! Good way to relieve stress too :)
I run a business from home so when I am here its normal daily chores and workout tapes. When I am out though and stuck in a line I do leg bends, lifts, and rise up on my toes to work out my lower body. If I am with friends or family you see their "Could you please stop" look on their face. I've even had people ask me if I was doing a "pee pee dance"! But hey I have to squeeze in as much as I can when I can..
I ride my bike to the gym twice a week instead of taking the car. I think that's pretty creative! I quite smoking one year ago so it's been tough to get back into shape. I could sure use some new sneaks! Thanks for the contest.
One way I sneak in exercise is to always take the stairs - I work in a hospital and whether I am in the parking garage or moving around the hospital (or any other building for that matter - including my home) I take two steps at one and contract my glutes. I have stronger tighter quads and glutes thanks to this!
I'm a New Yorker so at least I get the daily walks up and down the subway stairs (and to and from home and the office to the subway stop). I wish I could fit in time for the gym but sadly when you pull 12+ hour days in finance with regularly it just doesn't happen. Now that the weather is improving, though, I am going to try to walk to and/or from work each day. It's only around 30-35 blocks and every step makes a difference!
The way I like to exercise is to find simple things I do that really make me sweat while I'm cleaning the house then later on I will work on perfecting that move. The last one was just standing in one spot; while not allowing my hips to move I would use my shoulders and arms to reach in all different directions for one song (usually 2-3 mins.) and found that I got rocking abs from this all from over-stretching to try and reach a roll of paper towls. My favorite one was when I found that I get really worn out having to constantly lean over and picking stuff up, so I started carrying light weights while I walk and every five minutes would to the picking up motion while holding the weights in front like I was picking them up;) I like to get creative when I work it, it makes it a lot more interesting and fun!!
A creative way I get my exercise is by creating one daily task for myself that includes completing a chore around the house in which I am getting my daily strength training or exercise in. For example: Cleaning baseboards=squats. Cleaning windows=Back and Arms. Pulling Weeds= legs/arms. I often fold laundry while walking in place. Whatever it is you are doing, icorporate some type of exercise when doing it. You are getting your chore list completed while getting your daily workout in at the same time. It is a real timesaver!
When I do laundry or dishes, I don't take everything at once to it's place. I make multiply trips for each drawer, closet, cabinet etc. I know it's not much but with fibro & chronic fatigue, I have to find every way I can to fit fitness in when I have do have the energy. I recently lost 100 lbs with wls & need to tone up "everything", but walking is about the only thing I can do for my fitness!
I really don't like to work out, especially in a gym. So to stay fit... I like to dance all types of music, right at home, from reggea (tones your thighs) and more high energy like techno thats keeps my heart rate up for a few minutes, and then I slow down with songs I can stretch and sing to ;)
I'm a full time mom and a full time graduate student with internship hours. I never have time to make it to the gym, so I always work out at home, early in the morning, with my personal trainer, my 6 year-old. I record exercise programs on the TiVo and my kiddo either encourages me along ("two more sets, Mommy!") or she participates with me with her own 1 lb. weights ("look at my biceps, aren't they just like yours?").
But our secret exercise weapon is hula hooping! When commercials come on during the exercise program, we both pick up our hula hoops and have at it. It's a great ab workout for me, and my daughter likes to challenge herself see how many spins she can do before the hoop falls.
It's true what they say about having a committed exercise buddy, it really does give you an incentive to keep at it. Plus I'm teaching my daughter some healthy life habits.
I do multiple tasks at once so I go back and fourth five times a day everyday .I also do a lot of walking by parking my car down a little farther from the grocery stores.
I am a plus size lady...um, really plus size; and when I heard of the easytones I scraped together the money and a got a pair. Being overweight, I am hard on shoes and my feet hurt a lot. It makes walking hard sometimes, and that is terrifying as if I lose my mobility, I will never win this battle, will never complete my journey to save my own life. These shoes are a lifesaver, I have decided to challenge myself for the next year (not 30 days, as I have a lot to lose). I know so far, the past two weeks, I have walked more than I ever have because, simply, IT DOES NOT HURT. I do not list side to side like some broken down vessel, I walk straighter, and I feel my leg muscles tighten to support my whole body better. I think this is the tool I needed to finally believe I can walk myself to leanness. I would love to in a pair of shoes, as I think I will wear these out, and never plan to buy a diffent shoe again. Walking is fun, mobility is fun. And I have hope again.
Walking! I cannot say enough about it. I start out in the morning, even before coffee, enjoying the sounds of nature as I walk. That is also my time with God, so it's always a peaceful, serene walk.
I don't have a set amount either, I have fibromyalgia, so some days are better than others.
I do plan on getting a Wii, as we do live in the country and there may not be times when I can walk due to weather and I need variety or I get bored.
I am also eating smarter. In my past days full of stress and eating on the go...now, I relax and cook- healthy again.
I am on my feet everyday for 8 hours straight at work, I walk very fast while i am working and constantly going. I have no time to go out and excersice because of my hours and the kids at home so i figured if i could wear the sneakers to work i can do both at the same time.
I am a middle school teacher. My basic workout is constantly walking up and down the aisles of my classroom! I walk over 10,000 steps a day!
I am a nurse on abusy labor and delivery unit. When I am not helping to bring the next generation into this world, I am busy about in my yard with my husband and our six dogs. We have 3 very busy and beautiful boxers and a sweet mixed rat terrrier, a yorkie and yorkiepoo that lead the pampered life, so instead of hitting the gym we run and play in the great outdoors with man's (and woman's) best friend.
Well it all started when my husband and I fell behind in
houshold bills, mortgage etc. due to hour cuts and layoffs
at both of our jobs. I've been working at a local Goodwill
for 8 years now and they cut our hours by more than half,
So I found a second job as a physical therapy center and
now I'm on my feet at Goodwill from 8-3:30, When I'm there
Processing I'm standing in one spot so I'll due leg lifts
back kicks, side lifts. When I'm on the sales floor I'll
race around to see how fast I can put a rack of clothes away. When I leave there at 3:30 I change my top and go
to my second job and work there from 4-7p.m. Here I'll
try to get on some of our equipment while the patient is
on one next to me or when I'm doing paper work I'll do
some keagles, chair exercises and stretches, and when I
leave @ 7:00 it's off to home to cook, clean, and of course
laundry. So as you see I don't have much time to work out
so I try to get it through out the day. Thanks for hearing
my story!
I work in customer service and ride the bus to and from work so I'm on my feet for at least 10 hours every day. Working in customer service is a tough job and when you are running around helping about a hundred customers a day you defiantly get a work out. Even though public transportation is kind of a pain in the glute's I at least have the benefit of skipping the gym because I walk about a mile each day getting to and from bus stop, home and work. I also do a bit of heavy lifting at work so it keeps my arms lightly toned so that's nice too.
So here is my workout when i get around to it,about 2-3 times a month. Sad i know, i have two large size dogs who chase everything. When i walk them they pull me and i end up running everytime they see or hear something. Have you ever tried walking 2 large dogs, using all your weight to pull back but still your going forward? great work out! My daughter has this remote car shes always driving around so i thought to tie a fake mouse to it and have her walk with me and the dogs are constantly chasing this car, therefore im constantly pulling back but yet going forward. My legs wouldnt know what to do if i had the easytones. Unstable shoes and me pulling one way but going another, id probably tip over!LOL! Id love to try it out though.