10 Absurd Health Trends from the ’70s and ’80s
Here's a nostalgic dive into 10 bizarre health and fitness fads that seemed promising at the time — until they didn’t.
- Daisy Montero
- 3 min read
In the ’70s and ’80s, the wellness world was a wild frontier where anything that sounded scientific was fair game. From vibrating belts that promised fat loss to neon trampoline dances, these trends were equal parts hopeful, ridiculous, and sometimes dangerous. While many fizzled quickly, they left a lasting mark on health culture — and a few sparked legitimate innovation.
1. Shake That Fat Away—Literally
Bill Preston on Imagn
The vibrating belt promised effortless slimming by shaking away fat while you sat. Though touted as modern miracle tech, science soon showed it was mostly fluff. Still, it perfectly captured our appetite for easy health fixes.
2. Let the Machine Massage Your Fat—Why Not?
Alvinategyeka on Wikimedia Commons
These springy cages and rollers claimed to “slenderize” without lifting a finger. People lined up to endure vibrations, hoping muscle tone would magically appear. In the end, they were just bizarre reminders of fitness becoming entertainment.
3. Sauna in a Bag
Max Vakhtbovycn on pexels
Climb inside a tent and sweat like it’s the spa — but at home. Users believed sweating equaled fat loss, ignoring hydration and safety concerns. Still, it catered to our eternal desire for detox shortcuts.
4. Zap Your Way to Fitness
Jen on Wikimedia Commons
These electric pads claimed to tone muscles without requiring movement. For the price, many expected gym gains from mere buzzing. Sadly, results were underwhelming — and sometimes borderline painful.
5. Treadmill, ’70s Style—No Electricity, No Fun
Anastasia Shuraeva on pexels
Before motorized treadmills, these manual versions had folks pushing their own shredded treadmill belt. It looked inventive, but not so efficient. It serves as a reminder that early exercise gear could be more gimmick than gain.
6. Neon Thrive: Group Aerobics Explosion
myself on Wikimedia Commons
Think Jazzercise before jazz — or Terre® before spandex — where cardio meant bright colors and disco beats. It sparked fitness popularity, but sometimes looked more like a fashion show than an effective burn. Still, it shaped modern studio classes.
7. Nature’s CrossFit
Maksim Goncharenok on Pexels
Imagine CrossFit, but free and outside — those were Vita‑Parcours trails. People jogged, climbed, and stretched across park obstacles. It was ahead of its time, blending community, challenge, and fresh air.
8. Iron at Home—But Was It Heavy Enough?
Leon Ardho on Pexels
Barbell kits hit mail‑order catalogs as sleek symbols of strength. However, many sets were lightweight and more symbolic than strength‑building. Still, they sparked the idea of home gyms long before Nike and Peloton.
9. Eating Less by Sleeping More
Mikhail Nilov on pexels
The “sleeping beauty diet” encouraged sedative use so users would avoid food — an alarming shortcut. Combined with J.R.’s mass-marketed diet bag plans, desperation met danger. These raise major red flags about legitimacy versus safety.
10. Yoga Without the Zen
Andrea Piacquadio on pexels
Yoga and basic bodyweight moves grew popular, yet many practiced without proper instruction. Though healthier than gadget fads, these DIY versions sometimes led to strains. They still laid the groundwork for mainstream wellness today.