Can’t decide between hitting the gym and hitting the club? How about both — thanks to high-heel fitness classes, women (and adventurous men) can go from working out to the bar scene without changing shoes. But high heeled workouts might do more than just make your feet tired — can working out in sky-high stilettos do more harm than good? Read on for the truth on high heels and exercise.
What’s the Deal?
Fitness classes centered on elevated footwear are popping up all over the country with names like Heel Hop, High Heel Workout, Stiletto Strength, and Stiletto Workout. Enthusiasts and instructors claim the workouts tone “feminine curves” and focus on core strength, which helps women feel more stable and confident in their footwear of choice. While each class and trainer has a specific style, most of the workouts focus on controlled movements like lunges, squats, and lifting hand weights, although some also feature cardio dance elements.
All of the workouts sound like they’d work up a sweat, but what’s the rationale for slipping into stilettos before heading to the gym? According to high heel aficionados, the difference is in the elevation. The websites for classes like NYC’s NDG FIT Stiletto Workout claim that working out in fancy footwear engages the core, tones the whole body, and improves overall posture and confidence when wearing high heels. Literally taking fitness levels up a notch sounds tempting, but doctors and podiatrists remain unanimous: They advise lacing up those ho-hum cross-trainers (or even going minimalist) instead and running away far from a high-heel fitness class as possible.
The Answer/Debate
Physicians’ warning against the ills of high heels (and fashionable folks promptly ignoring the advice) is hardly a new phenomenon
If all of those side effects stem from regular everyday wear, how does sweating in stilettos affect the bod? Working out in high heels — from a weights routine to Kelly Ripa’s “High-Heel-a-Thon” fundraiser for the March of Dimes — is dangerous because it’s unstable. A high heel has a smaller point of contact with the floor than a regular shoe, making the possibility of falling (and rolling an ankle or worse) much higher. If just one misstep while wearing high heels can lead to a sprain or broken joint, why tempt fate by doing squats and dance routines in unsupportive footwear? Regardless of the real or invented fitness benefits of exercising in heels, it’s definitely better to stick to neutral footwear in the gym. To get a more intense core or booty workout, up the ante on reps or introduce some heavier weights instead. For ideas on less controversial fitness gear, check out Greatist’s ultimate guide to choosing the right workout footwear.
Would you ever sign up for a high-heel workout? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below or tweet the author @SophBreene.