Fitness trends come and go, often reflecting the culture and technology of their time. Many fads captured the attention of the masses for a brief period before fading away. Some may evoke nostalgia, while others remind us of quirky approaches to exercise that seem outdated today. Let’s take a look at some of these fitness fads from the past that have now largely disappeared.
Vibrating Belt Machines
Vibrating belt machines promised effortless fat loss, making them hugely popular in the mid-20th century. The device was simple: a motorized belt wrapped around the waist, hips, or thighs, supposedly shaking the fat away. People believed the vibrations would stimulate muscles, burn calories, and tone the body without the need for active exercise. Though it was embraced by gyms and health clubs for years, it eventually fell out of favor as fitness science advanced, showing that true fat loss requires cardio and strength training—not passive shaking.
ThighMaster
The ThighMaster became a household name in the 1990s thanks to celebrity endorsements and infomercials. This compact piece of equipment, designed to be squeezed between the thighs, was marketed as a way to achieve slimmer and toned legs. The appeal was its simplicity; users could sit comfortably while performing repetitions. However, fitness enthusiasts soon realized that isolating one muscle group, especially in such a limited range of motion, wasn’t enough for overall fitness. Eventually, more comprehensive workout routines made the ThighMaster a relic of the past.
Tae Bo
Tae Bo was a blend of martial arts and cardio that took the 1990s by storm. Created by Billy Blanks, this high-energy workout promised fat-burning and muscle toning through a mix of punches, kicks, and aerobic movements. Tae Bo videos were a hit, especially for home workouts, as they combined intense physical activity with fun. However, as new fitness programs with more scientific backing emerged, Tae Bo’s popularity waned, and it gradually disappeared from mainstream gyms.
Jazzercise
Jazzercise, a dance-based workout that combined jazz dance with aerobics, was a sensation in the 1980s. The classes were fun, energetic, and accessible to all fitness levels, making it a favorite among women looking for an enjoyable way to stay fit. With upbeat music and choreographed routines, it was more of a dance party than a workout. Despite its early success, Jazzercise lost its shine as more intense and varied forms of cardio training entered the scene, leaving this once-vibrant trend in the background.
The Shake Weight
The Shake Weight became an instant viral hit in the late 2000s due to its quirky design and over-the-top advertisements. The hand-held dumbbell-like device would oscillate back and forth as users “shook” it, supposedly offering an enhanced arm workout. Its manufacturers claimed the rapid motion increased muscle activity, promising fast results. While it briefly became a pop culture phenomenon, fitness experts soon debunked its effectiveness, and it quickly lost traction as a legitimate exercise tool.
Step Aerobics
Step aerobics was the go-to workout of the 1980s and 1990s, offering a cardio-intensive routine that involved stepping up and down on a platform. Often performed to upbeat music in group classes, this workout was designed to improve cardiovascular endurance while toning the legs and glutes. However, as fitness trends shifted towards high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and functional exercises, step aerobics gradually fell out of favor, and it’s rare to find it in modern fitness studios.
The Bowflex
The Bowflex was an all-in-one home gym system that boasted the ability to replace bulky weight machines. Using tension rods or bands instead of traditional weights, it promised a full-body workout in a compact space. Marketed as a convenient alternative to gym memberships, the Bowflex became a staple in home fitness setups during the 1990s and early 2000s. Despite its popularity, advances in free-weight training and functional fitness equipment eventually made the Bowflex less relevant, and fewer people rely on it today.
Power Plate Machines
Power Plate machines were once hailed as a revolutionary fitness tool, utilizing whole-body vibration technology to enhance muscle activation. By standing, squatting, or performing exercises on the vibrating platform, users were said to experience greater muscle engagement, improved circulation, and increased calorie burn. Over time, the excitement surrounding Power Plate machines faded as traditional strength and cardio training methods proved to be more effective and sustainable.
Stomach Vacuum Exercise Devices
Stomach vacuum exercises focus on tightening the core by drawing in the abdominal muscles and holding them in a contracted state. In the 1970s and 1980s, devices were developed to help individuals perform this exercise, claiming they could shrink the waistline and improve posture. However, as more scientific approaches to core training emerged, these devices became obsolete, and today, the stomach vacuum exercise itself has been largely replaced by modern abdominal workouts.
This article originally appeared on Rarest.org.
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