The Best and Worst 90s Fitness Trends

Neon windbreakers. Pagers. Bucket hats. Bowl Cuts. Chockers. NSYNC. Sun-In. Chunky Shoes. Slap bracelets. Fanny Packs. Are you feeling the nostalgia yet? If not, we could seriously keep going. We adore the 90s here at FBG. Like, if we could stop time, it’d be 1995 right now.

We have whipped up some of the best (and worst) 90s fitness trends in order to properly appreciate this wonderfully, neon-colored decade. Prepare for a trip down memory lane in 3, 2, 1 …

Tae Bo

Who didn’t see the Tae Bo infomercials and think they’d be in amazing shape if they bought them? Truth was, they would be in great shape if they bought them and did them. adore the 90s here at FBG was 2 Legit 2 Quit for sure.

Spandex

Credit: wikipedia.com

Because nothing says “fitness” quite like high-waisted shiny Spandex shorts with a thong up the rear.

Ephedra

Credit: nbcnews.com

It was the miracle weight-loss pill that turned out to be not so miraculous. And possibly deadly.

Bill Phillips

Credit: southbayriders.com

Pretty much the P90X of the 90s.

8-minute Abs

Credit: yaledailynews.com

Oh, the promise of a quick six pack. I’m sure the workouts were solid, but did they ever mention the fact that abs won’t be visible until you shed some fat?

Zubaz Pants

Credit: www.rsvlts.com

Oh, hey, Erin’s daughter has some zebra print pants like that. She’s 13 months old.

Tony Little’s Gazelle

Credit: sportsmansguide.com

You can burn 1,000-plus calories in an hour if you work out on this thing as fast and as energetically as Tony Little speaks.

Step Aerobics

Credit: fitnessista.com

Whether you used one riser or five, you just weren’t fit in the 90s unless you were stepping. Or pretending to without a step in the comfort of your own home like Erin did.

Cardio Slide

Credit: www.amazon.com

The cardio slide has now modernized into “ski-skaters,” but back in the 90s, throw on some hospital-like booties and glide from side to side while your thighs and bums burn like hell.

Jazzercise

Credit: www.wallyhood.org

It’s made a modern comeback, but Jazzercise still carved out a 90s spot in our fitness-loving hearts.

Richard Simmons

Credit: huffingtonpost.com

Sweatin’ with the oldies. It may be totally 90s, but Richard Simmons’ style of inclusive fitness for all sizes has never gone out of style.

Suzanne Somer’s Thighmaster

Credit: www.amazon.com

Before anyone had heard the term “thigh gap” we were thigh-mastering our way to stronger thighs. Hey, maybe there was wisdom to the thigh master — at least it did strengthen the legs!

What’s your fave 90s workout trend? And your least favorite? —Erika