Vintage photos of bizarre exercise fads from the last 100 years that we hope never come back

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Frank Olito,Erin McDowellJan 13, 2024, 10:15 IST
Vintage photos of bizarre exercise fads from the last 100 years that we hope never come back

There have been a number of fitness trends that seem bizarre today.New York Daily News Archive/Getty Images

  • What once was considered a legitimate exercise could now be considered pretty pointless.
  • The vibrating belt was a popular device in the 1930s and 1950s.

From the ThighMaster to goat yoga, the fitness industry has seen some surprising fads in recent years.

However, people have been using unconventional ways to get fit and look their best for decades.

Dating back to the 20th century, people used elaborate contraptions, painful-looking machinery, and strange poses to get their ideal body.

Here are just some of the most surprising ways people exercised over the past 100 years.

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The Walton Belt Vibrator promised to shake fat away.

The Walton Belt Vibrator promised to shake fat away.
Vibrating belt.Underwood Archives/Getty Images

Although the vibrating exercise belt was invented in the 1800s, it didn't become popular until the 1930s and again in the 1950s, according to the Kansas Historical Society. The idea was to vibrate fat so fast that it loosened and eventually disappeared.

It could be worn all sorts of ways.

It could be worn all sorts of ways.
Vibrating belt in 1929.University of Southern California/Getty Images

The belt was intended to fit anyone with any body type.

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The belt was advertised as a way to lose weight while watching TV or even napping.

The belt was advertised as a way to lose weight while watching TV or even napping.
Vibrating belt.Mirrorpix/Getty Images

"It is this speeded up motion of your tissues… 3,200 times a minute… that aids in fast, effective, spot reduction… that actually helps trim down the size of your measurements wherever it embarrasses you most," one advertisement from 1958 claimed, per the Kansas Historical Society.

In the '40s, women spent time in "slenderizing salons" where machines like the Slendo Massager were used.

In the '40s, women spent time in "slenderizing salons" where machines like the Slendo Massager were used.
Slendo Machine in 1940.Alfred Eisenstaedt/Getty Images

Like the vibrating belt, the Slendo Massager was another way its manufacturers claimed could shake away fat. The Huffington Post reported that the machine was a cage made of coiled springs that would roll over your stomach, hips, and thighs. All you had to do was stand there and endure it.

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The machinery also worked on your legs and thighs, leaving your hands free to knit.

The machinery also worked on your legs and thighs, leaving your hands free to knit.
Leg rollers in the 1940s.Alfred Eisenstaedt/Getty Images

The leg rollers were meant to loosen fat from the hip to the ankle.

One advertisement from the 1940s said it was a woman's duty to stay slim — using this equipment, of course.

A portable sauna, known as the Reduc-o-matic, was used in the '40s. It was also believed to melt fat.

A portable sauna, known as the Reduc-o-matic, was used in the '40s. It was also believed to melt fat.
The Reduc-o-matic in the 1940s.Bettmann/Getty Images

According to The Atlantic, a large cloth bag was placed over a person's body while an air pump pushed heat into it. This created a sauna-like effect — all while you relaxed and read a book.

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People attempted to sweat off extra pounds.

People attempted to sweat off extra pounds.
Man in sauna tub in 1955.Harold M. Lambert/Getty Images

Here, a man uses a sauna tub in the 1950s.

Other, more easily movable renditions were created later.

Other, more easily movable renditions were created later.
Portable sauna in 1969.Mirrorpix/Getty Images

Sweating in a sauna is a great way to ease pain and relieve stress.

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This electrical-current fad might have been one of the more painful trends.

This electrical-current fad might have been one of the more painful trends.
Slimming in 1968.Mirrorpix/Getty Images

This electric slimming device stimulated the muscles with a small electric current and was expected to have the same results as exercise. However, instead of actually moving and working up a sweat, users were able to lay down and relax.

Electrical currents were also used in small baths to stimulate blood circulation.

Electrical currents were also used in small baths to stimulate blood circulation.
Electro baths.Getty Images

Electrotherapy is said to reduce pain, repair muscles, and improve physical function, according to the National Library of Medicine.

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In the '50s, masks were used to exercise facial muscles.

In the '50s, masks were used to exercise facial muscles.
Face mask in 1955.John Sadovy/Getty Images

While face masks are popular today, the one that became popular in 1955 was used to exercise facial muscles instead of cleansing the skin.

In the '50s, facial exercises were believed to help women lift their faces to look younger.

A sort of mechanical bull was once used as exercise equipment.

A sort of mechanical bull was once used as exercise equipment.
Mechanical bull in 1928.Bettmann/Getty Images

While some bars today offer a mechanical-bull ride, the fun piece of equipment was once actually used as an exercise device.

A mechanical-bull rental service called Fun Crew USA wrote that the mechanical bull was initially invented to train rodeo competitors, but people quickly learned that it was a way to tone abs and strengthen the core.

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Springs were also used as tension apparatuses ... while wearing high heels, of course.

Springs were also used as tension apparatuses ... while wearing high heels, of course.
Leg tension.Hulton Archive/Getty Images

This leg spring is similar to today's resistance training.

Some people in the 20th century used human hamster wheels to exercise.

Some people in the 20th century used human hamster wheels to exercise.
Human hamster wheel in 1936.Reg Speller/Getty Images

The human hamster wheel dates back to the 20th century and was used as a form of amusement. But it can also be used as exercise equipment, as it takes some core strength to stay inside as the wheel turns.

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Women used the wheel in their local gym for sport.

Women used the wheel in their local gym for sport.
Human hamster wheel early 1900s.Keystone-France/Getty Images

Today, the hamster wheel is sometimes still used as a replacement to a treadmill.

The gyro wheel was also considered exercise equipment — it flipped people around in every direction.

The gyro wheel was also considered exercise equipment — it flipped people around in every direction.
Gyro wheel in 1932.Daily Herald Archive/Getty Images

The gyro wheel is a kind of gyroscope, which was believed to increase circulation and improve cardiovascular health.

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The bongo board was another popular exercise fad in the '50s.

The bongo board was another popular exercise fad in the '50s.
Bongo board in 1955.Peter Stackpole/Getty Images

The bongo board was a piece of wood balanced atop a roller. When stepping on either side of the board, the roller would roll from side to side. It was marketed as an individual seesaw that helped you get fit and build your balance skills.

The Las Picas is an exercise apparatus that became popular in the late '60s. It allowed users to contort every which way.

The Las Picas is an exercise apparatus that became popular in the late '60s. It allowed users to contort every which way.
Las Picas.Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Las Picas was an exercise machine that had two poles attached to a small box. The poles were able to be moved any which way, allowing you to get creative in your movements.

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Some exercise equipment of the past is still used today. For example, the treadmill had humble beginnings.

Some exercise equipment of the past is still used today. For example, the treadmill had humble beginnings.
Running machine in 1928.Bettmann/Getty Images

The treadmill was initially intended for prison inmates and has gone through many iterations since its invention in 1818. PBS reported that the treadmill was first created to make prisoners climb an endless staircase as a means of reform but, eventually, it caught on as a fitness device.

Today the treadmill is considered a staple in every gym.

But the '50s also saw the invention of a nautical treadmill.

But the '50s also saw the invention of a nautical treadmill.
Nautical treadmill in 1953.University of Southern California/Getty Images

The invention of a nautical treadmill combined stationary exercise with water sports.

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The rowing machine has always been popular, but it was once much simpler than what we know today.

The rowing machine has always been popular, but it was once much simpler than what we know today.
Rowing machine in 1925.Bettmann/Getty Images

In this photo, movie star Helen Chadwick uses the rowing machine to stay fit. The machine was also one of the few exercise machines to be included in the gymnasium of the Titanic, which sank in 1912.

Simple workout equipment that people could use at home gained popularity in the '50s. Versions of this contraption still exist today.

Simple workout equipment that people could use at home gained popularity in the '50s. Versions of this contraption still exist today.
Exercise device in 1950.Kurt Hutton/Getty Images

With a series of pulleys and tightropes, you were able to get a full-body exercise.

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But it was in the '70s that at-home workout equipment really took off.

But it was in the '70s that at-home workout equipment really took off.
Nautilus equipment in the 1970s.Dove/Getty Images

According to the company's website, Nautilus started mass producing fitness equipment that focused on resistance training.

One of the most popular devices was the Slender Bender, which resembled a lawn chair and involved the person just lying down and sitting up. The Prone Cycle, pictured above, helped people work on their legs while lying down.

Pilates got its start with a simple system of pulleys.

Pilates got its start with a simple system of pulleys.
Women exercising in 1928.Bettmann/Getty Images

Pilates is said to help build abs, improve balance, and lengthen muscles.

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When exercise equipment wasn't used, one method of exercise was for people to make tiny, repetitive movements with their bodies.

When exercise equipment wasn't used, one method of exercise was for people to make tiny, repetitive movements with their bodies.
Exercise instructions from the 1950s.Picture Post/Getty Images

Repetitive movements were believed to strengthen, firm, and raise certain parts of the body, according to a vintage workout video from the 1940s. This method shares some aspects of today's barre workouts.

Some required so little effort that they could be done in bed.

Some required so little effort that they could be done in bed.
Exercise instructions from the 1950s.Picture Post/Getty Images

Many of these exercises were simple stretches.

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But sometimes the movements had you upside down.

But sometimes the movements had you upside down.
Shoulder stand.Denver Post/Getty Images

The shoulder stand was believed to increase circulation throughout the body. It's now a popular pose in yoga.

Workout apparel has come a long way, too.

Workout apparel has come a long way, too.
Bicycle kicks while doing a shoulder stand.A.E. French/ Getty

Today, people wear expensive workout attire from Lululemon and other brands.

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Workouts like Jazzercise and Jane Fonda's Workout dominated the late '70s and '80s.

Workouts like Jazzercise and Jane Fonda's Workout dominated the late '70s and '80s.
Jane Fonda works out in 1979.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection/Getty Images

While dance exercise classes like Zumba are still popular today, the outfits and style of dance may look a little different.

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