A while ago I was given a very snazzy pair of Chung Shi Shoes and initial impressions can be found here (they caused much hilarity!)

However, initial malarkey aside, these shoes deserve quite a write-up. Already endorsed by the likes of Dr Hilary Jones and various other celebs I was genuinely curious about them.

The very first thing that struck me, thank goodness, was the quality. They look like they could last forever and with a price tag starting at £129 - I was hoping they would!

Price is relative and I've learnt this along the way with these shoes. With what is termed a "Pilates system" the shoes have what feels like a sodding huge bar running from one side to the other, all neatly camouflaged directly under your arch. This means that should you lean forward on the toes of the shoes, the heel raises some 15 degrees off the ground and vice versa should you lean back on the heel. All very disconcerting at first! The theory behind this is that it encourages you to stand or walk with an upright posture and as you roll from heel to toe, it lengthens your body, stretching neglected muscles groups and working on your core stability. The facts and figures behind this – bear with me, they're impressive – is that your upper leg muscles work some 57% harder and lower leg muscles work 200% harder. This then has a knock-on effect by increasing your circulation, increasing your metabolism – hey, that helps with weight loss. Now it starts to make sense.

All very grand but what I liked was the idea of working out whilst doing the shopping!

So off out I went, day after day and by goodness could I feel the shoes working. I was a little concerned as last year I ended up on crutches after a nasty Plantar Fasciitis attack and both my knees are royally buggered with osteo-arthritis. I am therefore incredibly leg and foot sensitive and loathe to cause myself further injury. However I need not have worried. Whilst I could feel my calves and lower tummy getting a resounding work-out (especially going uphill) neither my foot or knees flared in protest.

Over time my body has become used to the shoes and I can now wear them for longer. I have become accustomed to the strange sensation of a bar across the centre of my foot and am pleased to be able to say that not once did it cause any discomfort – it was simply unusual.

My singular concern about these shoes is that they are completely unsuitable on wet surfaces. Diabolical. There is minimal tread on the sole and the number of times I have nearly gone 'A' over 'T' has been terrifying. Such a shame as aside from this point – and that it rains a great deal in the UK – my recommendation of these shoes would be unblemished.

If you want to give yourself a gentle workout whilst you’re shopping or going about your day to day leisure activities in a pair of really super quality and frankly pretty good looking shoes, I'd be off out the door getting yourself a pair of Chung Shi. Oh and that price? They're worth it!

Available from John Lewis, Selfridges, Harrods and on Sweaty Betty online