I’m sure there are a couple thousand women who saw Kim Kardashian in the Shape-Up shoe commercial advertising how it does miracles for your body went out the next day and bought several pair. It appears that getting a woman with Kim Kardashian’s body was only a ploy to trick consumers.
Reebok International Ltd. has agreed to pay $25 million in settlement of charges that they made unsupported claims about their toning shoes which are advertised to build muscles strength. The money will go towards refunds to consumers.
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Reebok’s advertisement markets the shoe as being able to strengthen the calf and hamstring muscles up to 11 percent and buttock muscles by 28 percent.
“To its credit, Reebok pulled these ads sometime in the middle of our investigation,” said David Vladeck, head of the FTC’s Consumer Protection Bureau.
The shoe is made to be slightly unstable, causing the wearer to word harder to maintain balance.
“We did get consumer complaints. We watch TV. We read the newspapers,” said Vladeck. “There is no such thing as a no-work, no-sweat way to a fit and healthy body.”
Adidas, which owns Reebok, denied the claims made by the FTC in a written statement.
“The (FTC) allegations suggested that the testing we conducted did not substantiate certain claims used in the advertising of our EasyTone line of products,” Adidas said. “In order to avoid a protracted legal battle, Reebok has chosen to settle with the FTC. Settling does not mean we agreed with the FTC’s allegations; we do not.”
The company added, “We stand behind our EasyTone technology — the first shoe in the toning category that was inspired by balance-ball training.”
Expect other brands of shoes that advertise muscle strengthening capabilities to be investigated as well.
Refunds to consumers will be made either directly through the FTC or in a court-approved class-action lawsuit against Adidas. To apply for a refund, click here.