Former Playboy Playmate Victoria Silvstedt famously credited her high heels for her centerfold shape, noting that she only goes to the gym when she isn't wearing heels on a regular basis. Unfortunately, wearing high heels, whether in the gym or otherwise, is unlikely to help you lose weight and can cause more problems than benefits. Still, the popularity of heels workout classes in fitness clubs across the country makes you wonder if there's any truth to what seems like an outlandish fitness idea.
Purpose
A high heels workout involves exercising in high heels to become more comfortable wearing them on a daily basis. It also incorporates intense leg exercise. The classes are meant to also tone and tighten the leg muscles so you look better in your high heels. The high heels workout is not meant to be a weight loss workout, but the leg exercise portion of the routine can help tone your legs with traditional leg exercises such as squats and lunges.
Routine
Squats and lunges are the order of the day for a heels workout. Most heels classes only require you to wear heels for the walking or practice portion of the class, then you'll change into your sneakers for the squats and lunges. Each class will follow a different routine, since as of time of publication, the high heels workout has not been trademarked or patented in the way that many other exercise fads have been.
Dangers
While the sneakers portion of the workout can help tone and tighten leg muscles, the high heels workout may be detrimental and even dangerous. Since the heels workout promotes wearing heels on a daily basis, the constant pressure that high heeled shoes exert on your the balls of your feet could result in corns and calluses. When choosing heels, look for heights under two inches for the best support. Constantly wearing heels could cause you foot and back pain. What's more, wearing your heels on the slippery surface of the gym floor could result in falls.
Alternatives
You needn't pay for a faddish class in order to get heel-worthy legs. You can strengthen your legs and be more comfortable in your high heels by using simple leg exercises at home. For instance, Achilles tendon and ankle stretches can help relieve the pain from wearing heels all day long. Press your hands against a wall and step backward, pressing your back heel into the floor. Then, try one or two sets of lunges and squats. Do 12 to 15 repetitions in each set. When squatting, never extend your knees past your toes. This ensures that your glutes and thighs work the hardest for leaner legs that complement your favorite heels.
References
- STV; Victoria Silvstedt's 'High-Heel Workout'; Dec. 2008
- Fit Sugar; Class Act: High-Heel Workout?; Feb. 2009
- "Good Housekeeping"; Tips to Avoid Foot Pain From High Heels Read more: Foot Pain and High Heels; Colette Bouchez
- Softpedia.com; Working Out in High Heels, the Hottest Way to Stay in Shape; Elena Gorgan; Feb. 2009
- Canadian Living; 4 Easy Exercises for High Heel Wearers; Michelle Cederberg
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