15 Once-Popular Fitness Trends That Look Ridiculous Now
Some fitness trends had their moment, but looking back, they seem more absurd than effective.
- Daisy Montero
- 4 min read
Fitness trends come and go, but some past crazes were downright bizarre. People once swore by vibrating belts for weight loss, toning shoes for sculpted legs, and sauna suits for shedding pounds fast. Looking back, they are more entertaining than practical, showing just how far fitness has evolved.
1. Vibrating Belt Machine
Ahmed on Unsplash
These machines were once a staple in gyms, promising effortless fat loss by jiggling the body. The idea was that shaking muscles would melt fat away, but science says otherwise. All they really did was provide a gentle massage—hardly the workout they claimed to be.
2. Sauna Suits for Rapid Weight Loss
Jorge Royan on Wikimedia Commons
Sauna suits made people sweat buckets, believing they were burning fat fast. In reality, they only led to temporary water loss, risking dehydration and exhaustion. Losing real weight requires more than just sweating profusely.
3. Shake Weight
Flickr User: Herrea; Artwork: Shake Weight on Wikimedia Commons
This gadget promised sculpted arms with minimal effort, relying on its shaking motion to engage muscles. While it did activate muscles, traditional weightlifting was far more effective. Instead of revolutionizing fitness, it became the punchline of many jokes.
4. Toning Shoes for Better Legs
Jamie on Wikimedia Commons
These shoes claimed to shape calves and glutes just by walking, thanks to their curved soles. While they did alter walking patterns, studies debunked their toning claims. They were expensive, uncomfortable, and ultimately no better than regular sneakers.
5. Prancercise
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This fitness craze combined jogging with a horse-like prance, promising a fun and effective workout. While it was certainly amusing, it lacked the intensity of real cardio exercises. It ended up more as a viral sensation than a legitimate fitness method.
6. The ThighMaster
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This infomercial staple convinced people they could sculpt perfect thighs just by squeezing a spring-loaded device. While it did provide resistance, it was far from a full-body workout. Strength training and proper exercise routines did a much better job.
7. Weighted Hula Hoops
Dave Shaver on Wikimedia Commons
Adding weight to a hula hoop was supposed to enhance core workouts and torch belly fat. While it could be fun, it was no magic solution for abs. Diet and strength training played a much bigger role in getting a toned stomach.
8. The Ab Belt Stimulator
Federico Faccipieri on Wikimedia Commons
This gadget claimed to give users six-pack abs by sending electrical pulses to contract muscles. While it might have caused muscle twitching, real results required traditional exercise. A strong core was built through movement, not by sitting still.
9. Jazzercise
Archives New Zealand on Wikimedia Commons
This dance-based workout took over the 80s with its high-energy routines and neon outfits. It was fun, but its fitness claims were exaggerated. More structured workout methods eventually replaced it.
10. Slendertone Body Wraps
Bodystreet on Wikimedia Commons
These wraps promised instant inch-loss by sweating away fat, but the results were temporary. They caused water loss, not actual fat burning. As soon as hydration levels returned, so did the inches.
11. Power Balance Bands
U50Sweden on Wikimedia Commons
These bracelets claimed to improve balance, strength, and energy through embedded holograms. Despite celebrity endorsements, studies debunked their effectiveness. They turned out to be nothing more than overpriced rubber bands.
12. The Body Blade
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This flexible rod was meant to build strength by creating resistance through rapid vibrations. While it did activate muscles, traditional weightlifting proved far superior. It became more of a novelty than an actual fitness tool.
13. Step Aerobics in the Living Room
Vitaly Gariev on Wikimedia Commons
This trend had people stepping up and down on a platform for hours, believing it was the ultimate cardio workout. While it provided some benefits, it was eventually replaced by more effective exercise programs. It was fun but not the revolution it claimed to be.
14. 8-Minute Abs
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This program promised a sculpted core in under ten minutes a day. While it helped with endurance, it was not a shortcut to six-pack abs. Nutrition and full-body training played a much bigger role.
15. The Gazelle Glider
Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels
This machine claimed to offer a full-body, low-impact workout while making movement effortless. While it did get people moving, it lacked the intensity of real strength training or cardio. Walking outside did just as much, if not more.