15 ’90s Exercise Toys That Are Now Obsolete
These once-popular ‘90s fitness toys promised fun and health but are now long forgotten.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
The ’90s brought a flood of exercise toys that blended movement with entertainment. This made workouts feel like play. They lit up infomercials and filled garages. Though once revolutionary, these items have been left behind in favor of smarter, sleeker fitness tech.
1. ThighMaster
Boxed Water Is Better on Unsplash
Marketed by Suzanne Somers, this spring-loaded device was the go-to for toning inner thighs. Its simple squeeze-and-hold motion made it a living room hit.
2. Ab Roller Wheel
MART PRODUCTION on Pexels
Touted as the ultimate ab-sculptor, it had users rolling across floors in pursuit of six-packs. While effective with proper form, many ended up with sore backs instead.
3. Shake Weight
apalapala on Flickr
With its jiggling motion and awkward design, this hand-held device promised toned arms fast. Its viral reputation outlived its actual fitness value. Few took it seriously for long.
4. Skip-It
Saskatoon Public Library on Wikimedia Commons
Originally a playground toy, this ankle-based counter turned into a cardio challenge. Jumping over the rotating plastic rope burned calories and caused shin bruises.
5. Health Rider
Deb Deppeler on Flickr
Looking like a cross between a bike and a rowing machine, this contraption mimicked horseback riding. It promised full-body toning with low impact.
6. Ab Slide
Ivan Samkov on Pexels
Users would glide forward and back on their knees, working their core. It looked simple but required serious balance and strength. Lack of support led to many tumbles and its eventual phase-out.
7. Body Ball (Balance Ball)
Anna Shvets on Pexels
Used for everything from crunches to seated work, this inflatable ball had its moment in fitness classes and offices alike. Over time, punctures and instability made them less popular.
8. Gazelle Glider
sati on Unsplash
Endorsed by Tony Little, this swinging stepper offered a no-impact cardio alternative. Its smooth, repetitive motion looked effortless on TV.
9. Twist Board
cottonbro studio on Pexels
A simple round disc for standing twists, it claimed to tone the waistline. Cheap and portable, it showed up in dorm rooms and basements.
10. Ab Circle Pro
Vikas Rohilla on Unsplash
This curved track device had users swinging side to side in hopes of chiseling their cores. It took up a lot of room for minimal benefit. Now, it mostly lives in garage sales.
11. Tae Bo Flex Bands
Geert Pieters on Unsplash
These resistance bands came bundled with kickboxing videos for extra burn. Unfortunately, they snapped easily and lacked versatility.
12. Air Walker
Samuel Girven on Unsplash
Part elliptical, part swing set, it gave a low-impact full-body workout. Often squeaky and wobbly, it quickly lost its charm. Most were retired to the garage corner.
13. Bun and Thigh Roller
Ambitious Studio* | Rick Barrett on Unsplash
This angled platform claimed to sculpt lower-body curves through repetitive slides. While sleek-looking, it had limited range and results.
14. Mini Trampolines
Julietwhite42 on Wikimedia Commons
Used for “rebounding” workouts, these were praised for joint-friendly cardio. But safety concerns and low intensity led many to stop jumping.
15. Doorway Pull-Up Bars (Basic Foam-Grip Version)
phidauex on Flickr
Common in ’90s homes, these bars were known to slip mid-rep. With minimal padding and unstable fits, they weren’t the safest choice.