We caught up with Holly before her appearance on Oprah tomorrow to get her thoughts on our new rock&tones, and did we get them soup to nuts. Being a fitness expert, Holly is obviously interested in how, why and what therock&tones work. Everything from the technicals to where she wears them, our question and answer session generated enough information to make anyone a toning shoe expert.

Q: What is “rock&tone”?
A: rock&tone is New Balance’s first entry into toning footwear. At its simplest; it is a rounded bottom shoe that allows your feet to move in a more natural way that optimizes muscular involvement and caloric expenditure. At its most exciting and interesting, it is a concept in footwear that will show you a whole new way to use your body. The New Balance rock&tone shoe features a rounded sole unit made of a soft, lightweight cushioning material (Acteva Ultra LITE) that is incredibly comfortable and shockingly effective.

Q: How does rock&tone work?
A: New Balance rock&tone causes your feet to move differently in the ideal movement (i.e. heel-to-toe) pattern to create a stronger, more functional body. With every step you take in New Balance rock&tone shoes, the heel to toe rocking motion demands a greater range of front to back motion and can increase muscle use up to 27%. Also, the soft material in the sole unit simulates walking on sand, making your muscles work harder which can lead to up to an 8% increase in calorie burning over traditional walking shoes.

Q: What are the benefits of wearing rock&tone shoes?
A: When you walk in New Balance rock&tone shoes, you can tone muscles from your legs (calves, quadriceps, hamstrings) to your core (glutes, hips, abs) and can inspire increased calorie burning. It’s a workout in a shoe — simply by walking as you normally do throughout your day in rock&tone, you can give your entire lower body a strength-training workout. This can cause up to an 8% increase in total calorie expenditure! Even more important is that rock&tone can help your body help itself. rock&tone can inspire your body to activate the muscles that it’s designed to use. In addition to the strength-training you can receive, you can also teach your body to be more functional. You can move better AND burn more calories.

Q: How do you know rock&tone shoes work and what is the history of rocker shoes?
A: Rocker bottom shoes have been used extensively in the pedorthic and rehabilitation communities for years. They change the way you strike the ground causing an improved plantarflexion (toe-pointing) and dorsiflexion (foot-flexion/toes up). New Balance has tested rock&tone in their Sports performance lab and discovered that there can be an increase in muscle activation up to in 27% and an increase in calorie burn up to 8%. But the proof is in your own experience. A 30 minute brisk walk can demonstrate the degree of stimulus from the shoes. You likely will feel an undeniable activation in your high hamstrings where they meet the glutes. These shoes were intentionally built with a soft and thick midsole. While results may vary, this has been proven to make your muscles work harder during activity thereby increasing your total calorie burn.

Q: How is your product different from those others currently on the market?
A: While rock&tone provides similar benefits to other shoes on the market, they have two key benefits over other brands: 1) they look amazing—even a little hip and 2) they are incredibly comfortable. rock&tone don’t look like an orthopedic or traditional “toning” shoe— they look more like normal shoes. Beyond the mechanical benefit of these shoes, there is a comfort level that is hard to match, plus they are so lightweight!

Q: Is there something that these shoes offer that consumers can find elsewhere?
A: In my experience I have found rock&tone to be the most comfortable rocker bottom on the market. In fact, this might be hands down, the most comfortable shoe of any kind that I’ve ever worn. I also feel they are the most visually appealing since they offer a subtle aesthetic that doesn’t scream “toning shoe”. No one knows that I am getting a workout when I wear these shoes. I won’t sacrifice comfort and ease-of-wear just to get a toning benefit from a shoe. Other brands are hard to wear and not as comfortable or as lightweight as rock&tone.

Q: How long did it take for you to see a difference in toning, tightening, etc?
A: As soon as I received my New Balance rock&tone shoes, I wore them while cleaning and hanging around the house, running errands and grocery shopping, and taking the dog for a walk. The more exposure your body has to the shoes, the more quickly you can start to feel the effects. Personally, I noticed an immediate response; I could feel definite action in my hamstrings and glutes—exactly where I like to feel a workout. I knew right away that the rock&tones were working—and working really well.

link : http://www.newbalance.com/performance/walking-toning/holly-on-b-rock-and-b-tones/