15 ’80s Wellness Trends That Feel Strange Now
This listicle highlights 15 wellness trends from the 1980s that were once mainstream but now seem questionable or downright odd.
- Daisy Montero
- 4 min read
The 1980s were all about bold choices — even when it came to health and wellness. While some had good intentions, others aged like warm milk. Here are 15 wellness fads from the ’80s that seem a bit bizarre today.
1. The Electric Ab Belt Craze
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These belts buzzed and pulsed around your midsection, claiming to give you toned abs without a single crunch. Many swore by the tingling feeling, convinced it meant progress. Looking back, they feel more like a gimmick than a real workout.
2. Jazzercise’s Intense Popularity
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Jazzercise combined dance, aerobics, and flashy outfits in one high-energy class. It felt like a disco party disguised as a workout. Today, the choreographed routines and neon spandex feel more like a time capsule than a fitness solution.
3. Sweat Suits Made of Plastic
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These suits promised quick weight loss by making you sweat buckets. People wore them while jogging or doing chores, thinking they were melting fat away. Now, we know all that sweat was mostly water weight, not real progress.
4. The Grapefruit Diet Obsession
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Eating grapefruit with every meal was seen as a shortcut to rapid weight loss. The trend caught fire in the ’80s, promising to “burn fat” magically. Today, most nutritionists would call it unbalanced and unsustainable.
5. Workout Videos Led by Celebrities
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Stars like Jane Fonda and Richard Simmons made working out feel like entertainment. These VHS tapes flew off the shelves as people followed along at home. The enthusiasm was real, but the routines sometimes felt more performative than practical.
6. Colon Cleansing Kits at Home
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Home colon cleanses were pitched as the key to better energy and weight loss. The idea was to “flush out toxins,” even if science did not support it. Many who tried it probably regretted the process more than their lunch.
7. Tanning Beds for “Healthy Glow”
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In the ’80s, a tan was seen as a sign of wellness and attractiveness. Tanning salons thrived, promising golden skin year-round. We now understand the risks of UV exposure, and those beds are more of a warning sign than a beauty tool.
8. Slimming Shakes as Meal Replacements
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Meal replacement shakes were all the rage for those trying to drop pounds fast. Many were low in nutrients and left people hungry by lunchtime. What felt futuristic then feels more like crash dieting today.
9. Sauna Belts That Promised Instant Inch Loss
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People strapped on these heated belts hoping to shrink their waists while watching TV. The idea sounded tempting, but the results rarely matched the hype. Mostly, they left you sweaty and disappointed.
10. Vitamin Megadosing
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In the ’80s, many believed taking huge amounts of vitamins could prevent all kinds of illness. People lined their cabinets with bottles of C, E, and anything promising “boosts.” Now we know moderation is key, and more is not always better.
11. Rebounding on Mini Trampolines
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Mini trampolines popped up in homes as a quirky form of cardio. It was fun, bouncy, and made you feel like a kid again. Though some still swear by it, the trend feels more retro than revolutionary now.
12. “Spot Reduction” Myths
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Many believed you could lose fat in specific areas by targeting them in workouts. Want slimmer thighs? Do leg lifts. Today’s science tells us fat loss just does not work that way.
13. Aerobic Leotards Over Tights
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Bright leotards, layered over shiny tights, became the unofficial uniform of fitness classes. The look was part fashion, part function, and fully unforgettable. Today, it feels more costume than athletic wear.
14. “No Pain, No Gain” Mentality
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The phrase pushed people to their physical limits, even when their bodies begged for rest. Soreness was seen as a badge of honor. Now, we know recovery is just as important as the workout itself.
15. Breath Strips and Slimming Gums
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Some products claimed to curb appetite with flavored breath strips or gums. They were marketed as “weight loss aids” in disguise. These novelties have mostly vanished, and probably for good reason.