Chasing Novelty Part 2: Workouts
Remember the ab roller? Of course you don’t. It was a terrible workout device from a terrible infomercial in the 80s and 90s. Thankfully, this exercise faded away because it was pointless.
But that’s not true for many other fitness styles.
In the last 40 years, dozens of effective workout styles faded away.
Sure, there were some scammy ones (did anyone really REALLY need a ThighMaster?). However, many like Tae Bo were effective, especially for people needing “fun” to stay motivated and consistent.
Here’s a list.
1980s
Jane Fonda Workout (1982) Wikipedia
Jazzercise (1969 origin; ’80s boom) jazzercise.com
Step Aerobics (1989) Facebook
1990s
ThighMaster (1991) YouTube
Bowflex Home Gym (1986 launch; ’90s infomercials) Wikipedia
Spinning / Indoor Cycling (1995 trade-show debut) Wikipedia
Tae Bo (1998) YouTube
Pilates Revival (1990s Hollywood surge) meetyouonthemat.net
2000s
Zumba (2001) Wellintra Fitness
CrossFit (2000 incorporation) Wikipedia
P90X (2003 release) Outside Online
TRX Suspension Training (2004) U.S. Masters Swimming
Kettlebell Resurgence (2001 certification) Kettlebell Workouts by Greg Brookes
2010s
HIIT as #1 Trend (2014 ACSM survey) hituni.com
Orangetheory Fitness (2010) Byrdie
Peloton Connected Bike (2014) Built In NYC
Barre Studio Boom (≈2015 global expansion) therussianballet.com
SoulCycle (2006 founding; ’10s cult status) Wikipedia
ClassPass (2013) Inc.com
A few styles stuck around. CrossFit has cult status and Pilates and Barre are staples in women’s circles. But P90X? Bowflex? Zumba? Dead.
Why does this matter?
I believe Scott Adams’ reframe: “The best exercises are the ones you are willing to do.” If 1970s VHS tapes of Richard Simmons’ “Sweating to the Oldies” get you off the couch and moving, do it!
However, everyone chases novelty, thinking there’s a shortcut or trick to get there easier, better, or faster.
The reality? Working out is supposed to be hard. Some styles can trick you into enjoying it because it’s a game or competition. But if you want to get strong and lose weight, you’ll need to put in lots of hours and hard work. There’s no way around that.
New workout styles rarely have a game-changing edge. Maybe they help you burn calories 5% faster. So what? The real reason the new workout might be better FOR YOU is that you believe it’s better. This belief makes you more likely to stick with it and not skip days or quit.
If you could see through the hype, you’d realize you just need running shoes, dumbbells, and the discipline to show up consistently.