From treadmills to the sneaker, exercise equipment has come a long way. Gone are the days of the \u201cfat wobblers\u201d and Richard Simmons workout tapes \u2014 though they certainly do hold a special place in the hearts of many. Now, treadmills, bikes, and exercise videos are totally streamlined, even though a part of us still misses the old days.<\/p>\n
Want slimmer thighs? While common knowledge dictates there\u2019s no such thing as targeted fat loss, it was commonplace for women in the \u201940s to partake in these slenderizing machines. As the video provided Vintage Fashions shows, women would combat \u201cthe battle of the bulges\u201d standing in a mechanism that would rub away the fat and show off their curves in all the right places. The Huffington Post notes these machines were marketed to stimulate muscle contraction, thus supposedly leading to fat loss.<\/p>\n
Next: These machines from the \u201960s were equally as strange.<\/p>\n
As the video from British Path\u00e9 states about men\u2019s gyms in the \u201960s, \u201cHere you\u2019ll get rubbed down, shaken up, tumbled, and pushed around.\u201d And they weren\u2019t kidding. Not only did gyms back in the day offer exercise equipment to fit your cardio and resistance training needs, but you could also find a vibro massage machine. It was considered a \u201cmechanical wonder\u201d that was \u201ca grueling way to lose weight, and for some, the only way.\u201d We know a caloric deficit is truly the only way to whittle a waistline \u2014 but it\u2019d be nice if it was as simple as using this spot-treatment tool.<\/p>\n
Next: You definitely played around with one of these.<\/p>\n
From hop dance to playground antics, the Hula Hoop has been a staple for children, adults, and fitness fanatics over time. The modern hula hoop was first popularized in America in the \u201950s the Wham-O Company. In the first year, it\u2019s estimated 100 million were sold, though the fad died out quickly. It did see a resurgence in the \u201960s, however, and it continued to be a popular item for circus artists and fitness fanatics to whittle away their waist.<\/p>\n
Next: You definitely wore one of these in the \u201980s. However, before we go any further if you enjoy staying fit and taking care of your body, you don\u2019t have to keep your passion to yourself. Instead, take action and help others change their bodies for the better! Explore YouTubestorm team services, and connect with people prepared to follow suit!<\/p>\n
You may still use one of these if you\u2019re a regular gym-goer \u2014 but you definitely remember them at their height of popularity in the \u201980s. The Holabird Blog notes the athleisure trend truly started in the \u201980s, and that\u2019s when you probably started seeing terrycloth sweatbands worn outside of the gym. Even so, they also were used for athletics during this decade and were popularized mostly tennis players.<\/p>\n
Next: This iconic piece of \u201990s equipment was in everyone\u2019s home.<\/p>\n
Want slimmer thighs? In the \u201990s, you could look no further than the mighty Thighmaster. This piece of equipment is as easy to use as it looks \u2014 you simply put it between your thighs and squeeze.
\nThe Thighmaster, which was marketed Suzanne Somers, was a huge success. NBC News reports she stopped counting how many she sold after she hit 10 million units. And while it certainly is no means the most effective workout tool, we\u2019ll never forget it.<\/p>\n
Next: We still use these today, but they look a lot different.<\/p>\n
Believe it or not, PBS reports that the treadmill actually started as a decide used to reform convicts. When it was first invented in the 1800s, it took the shape of a large paddle wheel that prisoners had to climb. As one guard said, it was its \u201cmonotonous steadiness, and not its severity, which constitutes its terror.\u201d It wasn\u2019t until the \u201960s when treadmills actually became popular again, but as you can see, new models were being made for the average American as early as the \u201930s.<\/p>\n
Next: This invention from the \u201940s make absolutely no sense.<\/p>\n
Like the thigh slenderizer from before, here\u2019s another machine that was thought to shake you into slimness. Here, you can see a woman from the \u201940s has her entire torso inside the mechanism, which was thought to roll her into her ideal shape and weight. Unless she was watching what she was eating, she certainly wouldn\u2019t lose any weight, however. And The Huffington Post notes many variations of these machines existed for any part of your body you can imagine.<\/p>\n
Next: All you had to do was twist for this mechanism to work.<\/p>\n
Want to lose inches off your waistline? It\u2019s as easy as twisting it away \u2014 or at least that\u2019s what everyone thought in the \u201960s. PopSugar notes the Trim Twist consisted of a single rotating board that you would stand and start twisting on. If you remember the advertisements from this era, you\u2019ll probably recall many women in iconic beehive hairstyles and pencil skirts rotating away in hopes of being slimmer. It didn\u2019t work, of course, but the effort was there.<\/p>\n
Next: There\u2019s a good chance you had one of these sitting in your basement for many years.<\/p>\n
Who didn\u2019t have one of these lying around? As large, cumbersome, and oddly loud as they were, just about everyone could get on board with owning a NordicTrack Pro Skier machine, especially in the \u201970s. All in all, the Pro Skier isn\u2019t actually a bad aerobic machine (even if the skis would frequently fall off of the track). And if you\u2019re interested in living out your cross-country dreams while safely inside your house, you can still purchase one today.<\/p>\n
Next: This popular machine has come a long way.<\/p>\n
Rowing machines have a seriously long history dating back to the early 1900s. But it wasn\u2019t until the \u201950s and \u201960 when rowers really started gaining popularity with the fitness community. Physical Culture Study explains the first rower to accurately estimate how much power the user was putting into the machine came out during this time. Nowadays, you\u2019ll surely see plenty of modern rowers in the gym \u2014 and they still provide an excellent aerobic workout.<\/p>\n
Next: If you\u2019ve ever seen a commercial from the \u201940s, you\u2019ve seen this mechanism.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s funny to look at now, but this vibrating exercise belt was serious business back in the \u201940s. For men who didn\u2019t want to put themselves through the slenderizing machines that were popular with the ladies, it was typical for them to head for the vibrating belts. Here, the belt goes around the waist and theoretically shakes the fat away. Clearly it didn\u2019t work \u2014 but it\u2019s always fun to look back.<\/p>\n
Next: Want to sweat? Look no further than this \u201980s product.<\/p>\n
The answer to fat loss certainly isn\u2019t sweating, but according to this \u201980s fad, that was exactly what you should be doing. The NCAA reports sweat suits were first popularized pro wrestlers who aimed to make their weight class losing a few pounds of fluids prior to a weigh-in. Those aiming for weight loss then also wore them during exercise for serious weight loss. These heavy suits can easily cause dehydration, however, making them potentially dangerous. This is one fad we\u2019re extra glad is over.<\/p>\n
Next: Just about every celebrity has tried this silly piece of equipment.<\/p>\n
While not technically as old as some of the other equipment here, the idea behind the Hawaii Chair feels particularly dated now that we know how ineffective it is. Dr. Atta Jilani said the Hawaii Chair offers a \u201cfat-burning aerobic workout\u201d that will \u201cshape and tone the abs.\u201d Unfortunately, getting a six-pack isn\u2019t as easy as sitting in a moving chair. Ellen DeGeneres and actor Rob Lowe both tried this product, too, and had hilarious commentary.<\/p>\n
Next: You may still have one of these lying around from the \u201990s.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a piece of equipment that can actually prove quite challenging. Ab sliders take many shapes nowadays, but they looked a lot like this when they hit their peak in the last \u201990s and early 2000s. Essentially, you push the machine out in front of you and hold your upper body steady while you bring it back in. And while you can do this with just about anything that will slide under your hands (a piece of paper on a hardwood floor works), it\u2019s likely you had one of these plastic mechanisms with handlebars to help you slide your way to a strong core.<\/p>\n
Next: Foam rollers are a modern-day equivalent to this.<\/p>\n
Much like the \u201940s slenderizing machines, the roller massages were a staple slim-down method for both men and women. The Huffington Post notes at the time, you were instructed to massage over any of your problem areas to thin them down. While this practice didn\u2019t affect anyone\u2019s weight, we know now it may not be as silly as it once appeared. Today, plenty of athletes swear foam rolling for relieving sore muscles and increasing flexibility.<\/p>\n
Next: These were in just about every \u201990s workout video.<\/p>\n
No matter whether you looped them around your wrists or your feet, these looped bands were a staple in \u201990s workouts that called for serious resistance training. And while you may not be using this version of the elastic band today for exercise, the concept is still quite popular. In fact, many personal trainers swear resistance bands because of their accessibility and ease of storage. If you\u2019re looking to get your \u201990s workout on, head to Greatist for a few strength-training exercises using this equipment.<\/p>\n
Next: Your local YMCA definitely had these in the workout room.<\/p>\n
No matter how high or low you needed, these steppers were there to fit your \u201990s workout needs. The beauty of the stepper is that it was buildable \u2014 though sometimes that meant stacking four, five, or six on top of each other. Nevertheless, this simple piece of workout equipment persisted well into the 2000s and was popularized workout videos, too. And of course, the StairMaster \u2014 which was the more mechanical version of these steppers \u2014 was popularized in the \u201990s as well.<\/p>\n
Next: You may have used one of these in your youth, and they\u2019re actually quite difficult.<\/p>\n
There are plenty of different types of balance boards \u2014 and it\u2019s likely you\u2019ve tried a few yourself. And Vitality Depot notes WWII pilot Stanley Washburn Jr. was the first to create the Bongo Board in 1952. While this balancing toy became popular, athletes started to realize that they could have a use for such a device \u2014 and the \u201960s, balancing boards of all kinds were popularized for fitness purposes.
\nToday\u2019s fitness equivalent of the Bongo Board is likely the Bosu ball, as it can make your workout extra difficult providing an unstable surface.<\/p>\n
Next: For a good stretch, you may remember infomercials for this machine.<\/p>\n
This \u201cTotal Body Stretch Machine\u201d is still available for sale \u2014 though we know it best for its \u201990s popularity. Complex notes before yoga took hold, fitness fanatics were into stretch machines. And one such machine that seemed to be just about everywhere was the Proflex Stretch machine.
\nProflex wasn\u2019t the only company to come out with this type of design, either. You also probably remember Precor\u2019s Stretch Trainer or Keiser\u2019s Stretch Zone, which all were introduced around the same time.<\/p>\n
Next: It seems spin classes have come back into style.<\/p>\n
Nowadays, many spin classes are considered to be part of the \u201cboutique fitness\u201d trend, so it\u2019s important to remember the stationary bike came from such humble beginnings. Timeline notes the first iterations of the fitness bike started as early as the late 1800s, though they didn\u2019t come into popularity until the \u201960s. Then, they started cropping up everywhere as the perfect cardio alternative to running. And though they\u2019ve become way more technical over the years, the concept of the bike really hasn\u2019t changed at all.<\/p>\n
Next: Did you dance to these videos back in the \u201980s?<\/p>\n
The \u201980s were a time of funky outfits, bit hair, and exercise videos. And if you were around for this era, you surely remember jazzercise. Well + Good reports this fitness craze actually started in the late \u201960s with Judi Sheppard Missett, and \u201984, she had an unreal following. With 350,000 students, 2,700 instructors, and $40 million in revenue, the only bigger franchise at the time in the U.S. was Domino\u2019s pizza.<\/p>\n
Next: If you did any sort of aerobics, you had to have these.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ve seen them \u2014 and you may have even worn them years ago. Today, leg warmers have come back into style as a fashion item, but you probably remember when they actually were considered a workout must for many. They were originally used for dancers to keep their muscles warm while stretching \u2014 and that was well before the \u201980s. But once this fashion-heavy decade hit, aerobics teachers everywhere hit the studio wearing a pair, and those who showed up to their classes followed suit. Watch an exercise tape from this era and note just how many people are wearing them.<\/p>\n
Next: It wasn\u2019t just jazzercise that was popular on video.<\/p>\n
The aerobics craze swept through the \u201980s fast and furiously, and many women also followed the trend well into the \u201990s. Well + Good reminds us of Jane Fonda\u2019s \u201cWorkout Video\u201d that came out in 1982 which gave those who weren\u2019t into jazzercise a video workout option. And in the \u201990s, who could forget Cindy Crawford\u2019s \u201cShape Your Body\u201d or \u201cStep-Up With LaToya Jackson\u201d? Today, you can still visit aerobics classes \u2014 but they definitely look a little different than this.<\/p>\n
Next: This was a fun pastime and a great workout.<\/p>\n
There was a serious phase in the \u201950s that revolved around trampolines. Trampoline jump centers were real destinations for many, as it gave them a place to have fun and get a workout in. It actually seemed to be quite a lucrative business, too. Soon after the homemade version of the trampoline was made, manufacturers followed suit and helped make the product. The craze didn\u2019t last through the \u201960s, however. But today, there are trampoline parks cropping up all over the U.S. so you can feel like a kid again.<\/p>\n
Next: The \u201990s loved their all-in-one machines.<\/p>\n
This machine sure is strange \u2014 and it\u2019s even weirder once you get on it and start moving. Livestrong.com explains you place your feet on the pedals and your hands on the handlebars to begin in a seated position. Then, you pull with your arms and push with your legs to rise to a standing position. You do this over and over again for strength and aerobic benefits.
\nJudging from the huffing and puffing in the video, it looks tough. But we\u2019ll probably leave this machine back in the decade it came from.<\/p>\n
Next: Want abs? All it took in the \u201980s was eight minutes.<\/p>\n
Men\u2019s Journal reminded us of this fitness fad. During the comeuppance of the workout video, there were these ab videos that were eight minutes long. And in that short amount of time, you were promised a rock-solid core if you did them over and over again. If only it was really that simple.
\nIt seems the fad never totally left, either, as you can find plenty of modern ab exercise videos that are around 10 minutes or so.<\/p>\n
Next: If you wanted to build your lats, it was recommended to have this piece of \u201970s equipment.<\/p>\n
For those who wanted to make serious gains, there was no better machine than the Nautilus Pullover. T Nation notes it was invented Arthur Jones, a bodybuilding expert who wanted to make building the upper body easier in the \u201970s. Thus, this machine was born. It came out of style the \u201990s as workout fiends started to go for more functional fitness routines, however. But if you\u2019re looking for a strength challenge, try to find one of these and give it a go.<\/p>\n
Next: Tony Little really knew how to sell this one.<\/p>\n
Tony Little may have started selling the Gazelle in the \u201990s, but that doesn\u2019t mean he\u2019s finished. In fact, you can still buy yourself a Gazelle trainer today \u2014 though the dated advertisements may not convince you it\u2019s really worth buying. In any case, the Gazelle is advertised as the \u201cultimate low impact, fat burning workout\u201d that \u201csheds pounds and strengthens the body with minimal joint stress.\u201d If you missed your opportunity to get one of these nearly 20 years ago, now might be the time.<\/p>\n
Next: The \u201990s were all about kicking butt.<\/p>\n
Need something a little more intense than aerobics? The \u201990s were here to offer you Tae Bo as the perfect hardcore workout video to follow. Bustle reminds us that Billy Blanks created this fitness craze that combines aerobics with kickboxing. And judging from how much Blanks and the others on the video sweat, it definitely doesn\u2019t look easy. Give it a shot and see how long you last (you might also have to add in some old-fashioned resistance bands, too).<\/p>\n
Next: These athletic shoes were a must-have in the \u201980s.<\/p>\n
When Jordan\u2019s Nike Air hit shelves and overtook Reebok\u2019s profits, Mental Floss notes something had to be done \u2014 and thus, the Reebok Pump was born. These sneakers had air pumped in for extra ankle support, and fans went wild. When it was introduced to the general public in 1989, it was the athletic sneaker you had to have, even if it was priced at a steep $170. Do you remember the last time anyone was this excited about a sneaker? Neither do we.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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