10 Outdated Fitness Gadgets That Were Supposed to Change Your Life
Here's a hilarious throwback to fitness inventions that promised miracles — but mostly collected dust.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Fitness trends come and go, but some old gadgets really missed the mark. From jiggly belts to absurd contraptions that looked more like medieval torture devices, these inventions were supposed to revolutionize your health. Instead, they ended up in garage sales and late-night infomercial blooper reels. Here are 10 outdated fitness devices that were supposed to change your life.
1. The ThighMaster
Jean-Daniel Francoeur on Pexels
Made famous by Suzanne Somers, this spring-loaded clamp promised sculpted inner thighs with just a few squeezes. It looked simple, but trying to use it without making weird faces was a workout in itself.
2. The Shake Weight
apalapala on Flickr
This vibrating dumbbell took over late-night TV with its suggestive motion and wild promises. It claimed to tone your arms faster than regular weights by “dynamic inertia.”
3. The Ab Lounge
Julia Larson on Pexels
A fold-out chair that looked like a pool recliner, it was supposed to make crunches “effortless.” Users would rock back and forth like a seesaw, hoping to reveal six-pack abs.
4. The Sauna Belt
SenseiAlan on Flickr
Strap it on, plug it in, and supposedly sweat your belly fat away. This electric belt wrapped around your waist like a heated fanny pack. In reality, it just made you sweaty and uncomfortable, without actual weight loss.
5. The Ab Roller
KoolShooters on Pexels
This tiny wheel with handles promised to build a killer core with one smooth glide. However, it took more balance, control, and pain tolerance than expected.
6. The Torso Track
晶 朱 on Pexels
A close cousin of the ab roller, this sliding contraption looked futuristic but performed like a glorified belly flop machine. You’d kneel, grip the handles, and glide forward into potential disaster.
7. The Gazelle Glider
Humphrey M on Unsplash
Endorsed by Tony Little and his ponytail, this machine let you “glide” your way to fitness. It was low-impact cardio, yes — but also awkward, squeaky, and took up an entire room.
8. The BodyBlade
trapper keeper on Flickr
This unusual, vibrating, sword-like stick promised to build core strength through rapid wobbles. You had to shake it back and forth in rhythm, which was harder and more ridiculous than it seemed.
9. The Vibro-Belt Machine
Andrew Kuchling on Flickr
A throwback to the 1950s, this waist-high machine used a jiggling strap to “vibrate” the fat away. You’d just stand there while the belt did all the shaking.
10. The Ab Circle Pro
Charles Gaudreault on Unsplash
Users would kneel on pads and swing their legs side to side in a semicircle motion. It looked like a fusion of Pilates and a carnival ride. Claims included rapid fat loss and a toned waistline — results were mostly sore knees and skepticism.