Working at walking

When does a pair of tennis shoes officially become exercise equipment? When they’re weighted, as with the new MetaTreks shoes from iWellness. Chief Executive Jaye English says weighted shoes can help strengthen leg and abdominal muscles without adding bulk. The leather footwear is intended for walking only, not for high-impact activities such as aerobics or racquetball. And children should not wear them. Flexible steel rods in the soles provide the extra heaviness; women’s shoes weigh 2.8 pounds, and men’s are 3.1 pounds.

Bottom-heavy: The company says weighted shoes are better than ankle weights, which can be awkward. But the shoes may not be as effective as a weighted vest, according to Cedric Bryant, chief exercise physiologist for the San Diego-based American Council on Exercise. Vests, worn by firefighters and hikers during training, are closer to the body’s core, making the load more comfortable. He suggests checking with a doctor to screen for any conditions before wearing the shoes. He also recommends wearing them for only 10- to 15-minute sessions initially to see how the body adjusts to the weight, then adding time in five-minute increments.

Price: MetaTreks cost $130 and are available from iWellness in Bellvue, Wash. (www.iwellness.us or [888] 855-6338.)

-- Jeannine Stein