16 Old-Fashioned Workout Routines That Are Extinct
Here's a fun look back at outdated fitness trends and exercise fads that have vanished from the modern gym scene.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Fitness culture is always changing, and what once packed gyms and home VHS collections is now mostly forgotten. From bizarre equipment to overly rigid programs, some workout routines simply didn’t stand the test of time. Here are 16 old-fashioned workouts that were once all the rage — and are now fitness fossils.
1. Jazzercise
Archives New Zealand on Wikimedia Commons
This high-energy dance workout mixed jazz steps with aerobics and became a pop culture icon in the ‘80s. While it was fun and full of flair, it eventually got replaced by newer, more intense dance formats like Zumba.
2. 8-Minute Abs
Jonathan Borba on Unsplash
Sold as a miracle fix, this quick home workout promised washboard abs with minimal effort. Its simplicity made it viral before the internet era, thanks to infomercials and VHS tapes.
3. Buns of Steel
Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels
Targeting women looking for sculpted glutes, this tape-based series was everywhere in the ’90s. It focused heavily on isolated moves, which later got replaced by compound training.
4. Tae Bo
J.C. Rojas on Flickr
Billy Blanks’ blend of martial arts and cardio was huge in the late ’90s. The workouts were intense and packed with energy, but eventually lost ground to newer trends like HIIT.
5. Prancercise
Gabin Vallet on Unsplash
This odd, horse-inspired cardio routine briefly went viral in the 2010s but had roots in older movement philosophies. It looked more like interpretive dance than a serious workout.
6. Vibrating Belt Machines
Joe Wolf on Flickr
Popular in the 1950s and ’60s, these machines promised fat loss just by standing still. The belt shook your midsection, supposedly melting away inches.
7. Step Aerobics
ShinyFan on Wikimedia Commons
Once a staple of group fitness classes, step aerobics combined dance moves with a plastic step platform. Its complicated footwork and repetitive choreography became less appealing as gyms pivoted to bootcamp-style training.
8. Callisthenics Drill Circuits
A Disappearing Act on Flickr
Structured like military bootcamp, these circuits involved push-ups, jumping jacks, and sit-ups in strict sequences. While effective for discipline, they lacked customization and often led to burnout.
9. The ThighMaster Routine
GRAHAM MANSFIELD on Unsplash
Suzanne Somers made this inner-thigh tool a household name in the early ‘90s. Its repetitive squeezing motion promised toned thighs with minimal effort.
10. Sweatin’ to the Oldies
aadunn on Flickr
Richard Simmons led these dance-fitness sessions with unmatched enthusiasm and ‘50s tunes. While inclusive and upbeat, it didn’t challenge most fitness levels.
11. The Charles Atlas Dynamic Tension Program
John Irving on Flickr
A no-equipment workout that used muscle resistance against muscle, it was popular in the mid-20th century. Marketed through comic books, it attracted skinny teens looking to bulk up.
12. Mini Trampoline Workouts (Rebounding)
Mikefifield on Wikimedia Commons
This quirky routine involved bouncing in place on small trampolines. It was fun and low-impact, but many found it gimmicky and ineffective long-term. As HIIT and strength training took center stage, rebounders got stored in closets.
13. NordicTrack Ski Machine Workouts
SkyTechSport on Wikimedia Commons
These simulated cross-country skiing using a sliding, gliding machine. It offered a full-body workout but required a learning curve and lots of space.
14. Jack LaLanne’s TV Routines
victoriabernal on Flickr
Jack was the original fitness influencer, leading Americans in basic movements from their living rooms. While revolutionary for its time, the routines were basic by today’s standards.
15. Roller Aerobics
PxHere
Think roller skates plus dancing — yes, that was a thing. It required rhythm, coordination, and some padding for falls. Safety concerns and logistics limited its popularity.
16. Hula Hoop Workouts
Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels
Yes, adults hula-hooped for fitness in the ‘50s and again in the ‘80s. It worked the core but lacked intensity for most people. As better ab workouts emerged, the hoop lost its purpose.