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Reebok's EasyTone Reenew
Customers who bought shoes that Reebok ads said would tone legs and buttocks could be getting a refund.
The Federal Trade Commission said Wednesday the athletic shoe giant would dole out $25 million to consumers as part of an agreement to settle charges that it deceived consumers in ads for EasyTone and RunTone shoes which claimed people would get more shapely thighs and glutes by wearing the shoes.
“The FTC wants national advertisers to understand that they must exercise some responsibility and ensure that their claims for fitness gear are supported by sound science,” said David Vladeck, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection in a statement on the FTC's website.
While Reebok agreed to the settlement, the company is standing behind its line of shoes.
"Settling does not mean we agree with the FTC’s allegations; we do not," Reebok spokesman Daniel Sarro told msnbc.com in an e-mail. "We have received overwhelmingly enthusiastic feedback from thousands of EasyTone customers, and we remain committed to the further development of our EasyTone line of products."
ConsumerMan: Toning shoes are a hot fad, but it's all a bunch of hype
The FTC said consumers will get the refunds either directly from the FTC or through a court-approved, class action lawsuit.
The FTC’s complaint focused on very specific claims made by Reebok in ads that wearing its EasyTone footwear was proven to lead to "28 percent more strength and tone in the buttock muscles, 11 percent more strength and tone in the hamstring muscles, and 11 percent more strength and tone in the calf muscles than regular walking shoes.”
The Federal Trade Commission announced today that Reebok is settling false claims charges related to sneakers that are supposed to help tone your legs and backside while you walk. Reebok still insists its claims are true. NBC's Tom Costello reports.
These claims "didn't withstand scrutiny," Vladeck said. "The evidence was wholly insufficient."
Many advertisements contain general claims of health benefits, such as "it's the best workout you'll ever get." Such bragging, legally termed "puffery," generally stays on the right side of false advertising laws. Reebok ran into trouble because its claims were so specific, and its evidence for those claims insufficient.
The FTC settlement bars Reebok from making claims about specific increase in muscle tone, or any other health claims, without having "competent and reliable scientific evidence."
FTC officials would not discuss advertising claims made by other manufactures of toning shoes, which are made by Sketcher, New Balance, and other shoe makers.
Consumers who wish to apply for a refund should visit http://reeboksettlement.com/FTC and fill out an online application. Those who purchased Reebok EasyTone apparel are also eligible. Vladeck said the amount of refunds will be determined by a federal judge who will oversee the process.
Reebok has discontinued the advertising campaign with the allegedly misleading claims, and has told retailers to remove any store displays that contain the claims.
Msnbc.com columnist Bob Sullivan contributed to this report.
This video, posted by Reebok on YouTube this year, promotes its EasyTone technology.
Leave a Comment:
Anyone who thinks that just wearing these shoes will get them in shape without actually working out doesn't deserve a refund.
These shoes are promoting "micro instability" for toning. I never saw a single statement stating that balance while wearing these shoes is compromised, initially if not for the entire life of the shoe.
It is strange that women but not men are targeted for this benefits of this shoe.
Actually, Vincent, it's not strange at all that women are targeted for these shoes with their, uh, benefits. While many men think a good beer gut is sexy, they do not want to see the same on their women, so we forgo the cheese curls, the extra beer, and buy pricey shoes in an effort to be someone we're not, but that maybe a man will want, anyhow. That's the sad part. And if the woman is a stay at home type, with kids, any 'exercise' she can work into her schedule is a bonus - even walking on pricey shoes.
Common Sense in Government? Can we vote to trade the FTC for the Supreme Court?
I have these shoes and like them. I can't tell you if they actually provide any additional toning as advertised but they are so comfortable I can add a couple of extra miles to my walks which provides the extra benefits I was looking for.
I had a pair of those that I wore daily on my trips to the refrigerator, and the shape of my buttocks did indeed change, so I guess they worked.
Rick, I am also bulking up for winter the winter months ahead. Add 12 ounce curls to your walking regimen and feel the results!
12 ounces of cheese curls?
Typical instant everything society.. Something for nothing, usually means nothing..!
Something for nothing? Have you seen the price tag on those suckers??
T.Fargo...no...12 oz. aluminum curls...aka...BEER!!! LOL!
I didn't respond because I really like cheese curls too!
I like the way they melt in your mouth with a swig of lager...
"EasyTone & the patented Moving-Air System. Because...you'll believe anything."
These shoes are the WORST! Got them last year for Christmas, walked ~3 miles every evening in them, and by May of this year the pods on the bottom had busted. They did help the calves, but certainly not the butt.
You really shouldn't call your husband names on a public forum.
I can help your butt.
There's this thing called a gym and a stair stepper...heard they help.
@ROC -- No room for a stepper and I live in bumfu-k so no gyms are close....@artur....thanks for the offer!
just find a nice set of steps and go up and down them, to add to your work out carry 5lb dumbells in your hand, increase/ and decrease weights for extra work out.
There are lots of ways to get a work out that wont cost you much money if any. Just be creative, hell a couple of cinder blocks can help in a work out.
If you want it easy google search cheap easy ways to work out without spending loads of cash or something like that I am sure there are plenty of web sites out there that alredy did the work on what to do for you.
@pirate I can't afford 5 lb dumbells, but there's a 190 pound dumbell living in my house. Will that work?
It's always possible to exercise. You just have to make it a higher priority than other things in your life.
Or you can rattle off excuses. They burn one calorie each you know.
I knew there was a good reason for calling this MSNBC.COM feature "The Bottom Line"...
People still actually buy Reebok? :)
I wanted to order my wife that "Shake Weight" for her birthday. Thought it would be fun to watch, and even more fun to utilize her new found "strengths". She slapped me.
Be glad she didn't tell you all she needed to exercise for that was a toothpick!
And that's why I buy the sketchers shoes
Nike is so full of crap. When I was a kid, the Nike "persona" was you'll be faster. Then Jordan came out and your Nikes would make you jump higher. Nike does not sell truth, they sell rubber and cheap leather products made by the hands of people who make pennies per hour.
LOL! Bill Cosby did a great routine about the first kid on the block to get sneakers when he was a kid -
"They make you jump higher, run faster, and I can stop on a dime and give you 9 cents change!"
Johnny,
Ummm. You saw the article was about Reebok, right?
These shoes look like those shoes from "Seinfeld". The ones George Costanza wore because of "The Jimmy" and his vertical leaping abilities.
I have to laugh! If anybody bought these shoes thinking it was anything but false advertising, really needs to learn the expression: "buyer beware" and needs to get a life.
But that does NOT let Nike of the hook. I'm glad that FINALLY something is being done. They are one of the biggest employers of child labor and 25 million is like pocket change. So I don't think the CEO of this company is giving a rats As* if they have to pay the fine. Check the records, He gets that in one years bonus.
Nike?
Doesn't let Sketchers off the hook, either - another load of bull pucky with their so-called toning sneakers, shoes, sandals... No sneaker in the world is going to do anything for you if you put them on, climb behind the wheel of your car and go to the drive-thru for a supersized ________________.
Those (insert brand) toning shoes are a complete waste of time and money. I would bet there's also a good chance they'll cause high rates of foot/ankle/knee injuries. Get a bosu ball or other similar balance product and incorporate some of the workouts that come with those products into a regular workout routine and you'll see more benefits in toning your lower body.
I get a lot of patients complaining of hip and knee pain since they started wearing those shoes. I told them that I am seeing that a lot...dump the shoes.
I remember reading a female journalist's review about these toning shoes right here on msnbc.com, when they had a consumer reports type of article going on every week about new products, and although she didn't flat out state "they are a gimmick", she said she felt some toning and stretching of her muscles, which may have made some believers out of her readers. She didn't specifically say they are miracle shoes that do work, but she didn't deny it either by claiming some toning. I do not remember if they were Skechers, Reeboks or what though, since it seems every manufacturer of athletic shoes is copying this "trend". It was deceitful for msnbc to put out that article, to say the least, because some people would not do further research assuming that msnbc wouldn't back a product that is a scam, although I knew better.
I reember that article. I thought MSNBC was even worse than the manufacturer for publishing such a ridiculous article (yes, she wrote about experts calling it basically a hoax, but then said, oh what the heck...maybe it'll help anyway.) There's a sucker born every minute.....
This is just like how "Pumps" were suppose to make you lighter and jump higher! - lol
commie foot fluff!
buy american!
I have the Sketchers Shape-Ups and while I can't say my butt or legs improved, they are the most comfortable casual shoes I have ever worn. I have 3 pairs to choose from and wear them anytime that I am not at work. Long walks keep you in shape, the shoes are just comfortable.
I agree. The Sketchers Shape-Ups were so much easier on my bad knee. I didn't bother to replace them and got regular sneakers after mine wore out, and I could feel the shock in my knee from my foot hitting the ground when I walked.
Aside from all of this, don't people realize how absolutely ridiculous they look wearing these things? It looks like they have half a pita bread on each foot. I guess these Reebok's look ok, but some of the other one's are heinous.
And if you were to laugh at them, they would be "laughing heinous". I'm very sorry.
(Don't give up your day job):)
They shouldn't just get a refund, they should get damages for their wasted time.
Dude, the article is about Reebok.
Somebody lost their job over this mess you can be sure. No need to get so specific about the claim. That's where the fault lies. No bonus for Reebok/adidas employees this year would be my guess (and they had a banner year last year). That is a significant chunk of change even for a big corporation.
"...the amount of refunds will be determined by a federal judge who will oversee the process." Who'd he piss off to get that job??
$25,000,000 minus attorney fees, divided by number of people claiming = $2.50 you can use on your next pair of Reeboks.
The only people who make out on these cases are the attorneys, and maybe the named plaintiffs. No one else really gets anything.
Most advertisers have learned not to make any specific claims. Reebok deserves to get burned, but the advertising company's insurance will probably end up paying a part of this.
Roc-
LMAO :)
I want my butt to look like Kim Kardashian's......so I bought the Sketchers and taped a picture of her butt to mine.
Eat more fattening food then.
LOL
When the sketchers came out I wanted to get a pair, but they were way high. I waited until Payless came out with a pair and bought them on sale for $29.99, which I normally don't like to pay that much. I use them when I am on the stepper and it's great. I also use them for Zumba class also.
But you have to be stupid if you think a pair of tennis shoes are going to tone your butt and legs.
They do make your butt look smaller. Anytime you take money out of your wallet and put it back in your pocket your butt looks smaller.
Does this mean my ab-blaster won't work, it's held those coats up for so many months now.
That's funny. I have a pull-up bar that makes a dope coatrack.