New gadgets and tools are constantly being introduced and promising to revolutionize fitness. However, not all of these innovations live up to the hype. From the bizarre Shake Weight to the pointless vibrating functionality of vibrating foam rollers, we’re covering 11 different fitness gadgets that promised you a whole new body and delivered nothing but disappointment.
11. The Treadmill Bike
Someone decided to mount a treadmill onto a bicycle frame, creating a machine that defies both logic and physics. Users must run in place while steering through traffic, making simple tasks like stopping at lights into potential disasters. The design ignores basic principles of balance and safety, proving that not every fitness innovation deserves to exist.
10. The Hawaii Chair
Office workers bought this motorized chair that swivels their hips in circles while they attempt to work. The aggressive motion makes typing impossible and turns drinking coffee into an extreme sport. Users quickly discover that core exercises work better when not trying to simultaneously answer emails or take phone calls.
9. Face Trainer
The Face Trainer was supposedly for doing exactly what its name suggests: training your face muscles. By putting on a bizarre piece of headgear and performing different face “exercises” you could train the muscles on your face to improve its definition. To date, there aren’t any studies that support that doing this is actually going to make a difference on your face.
8. The Red Exerciser
This plastic contraption promised washboard abs through a series of awkward movements. Users quickly learned that $150 bought them a complicated piece of equipment that took up space and collected dust. Customer service representatives spent more time processing returns than selling new units.
7. The Slendertone
People strapped this electrical belt around their waists, hoping it would shock them thin. The smartphone app lets users control the intensity of muscle contractions while they sit on the couch. The $180 device required constant replacement of sticky pads that lost adhesion after a few uses and ultimately did not replace putting the work in and actually exercising.
6. The Europlate
Fitness enthusiasts stood on this vibrating platform expecting to shake away fat. The machine rattled users like paint cans in a mixer, promising results without effort. Gym owners placed these $400 platforms in prominent locations, where they ultimately served as expensive coat hangers during busy hours.
5. The Shake Weight
The Shake Weight is perhaps one of the most notorious fitness gadgets ever created. Marketed as a revolutionary tool for toning arms, it quickly became a source of ridicule. The concept was simple: shake the weight to engage muscles. However, the reality was far from effective. Users often found themselves with sore wrists rather than toned arms. The Shake Weight became a punchline in fitness circles, illustrating how sometimes, less is more when it comes to workout equipment.
4. The Ab Stimulator
Promoted by various celebrities, the ab stimulator promised to give users rock-hard abs without the sweat of traditional workouts. This gadget uses electrical impulses to stimulate the abdominal muscles, but the results are often underwhelming. Many users reported feeling a slight tingle rather than any significant muscle engagement. The ab stimulator serves as a reminder that there are no shortcuts to fitness, and relying on gadgets can lead to frustration and unmet expectations.
3. The Smart Jump Rope
Jump ropes are a staple in fitness routines, but the smart jump rope took a simple tool and complicated it unnecessarily. Marketed as a high-tech solution that counts jumps, this gadget often failed to deliver accurate results. Users frequently find themselves frustrated as the device miscounts or malfunctions during workouts. In the end, a traditional jump rope remains the most effective and reliable option for cardio enthusiasts.
2. The Mobile Gym
The mobile gym is another gadget that promised convenience but delivered disappointment. Marketed as a portable solution for strength training, it often fell short of expectations. Users quickly realized that they could achieve the same results with basic household items or traditional gym equipment. The mobile gym serves as a reminder that effective workouts don’t require fancy gadgets; sometimes, all you need is creativity and determination.
1. The Vibrating Foam Roller
Foam rollers are a staple in many fitness routines, but the introduction of vibrating foam rollers has left many scratching their heads. Priced significantly higher than traditional foam rollers, these gadgets often fail to provide any additional benefits. Users have found that the added vibration does little to enhance their recovery or performance. In many cases, a standard foam roller is more than sufficient for effective muscle relief.
