Hey, how’s it going with your 2022 fitness resolutions? Yep, me too… just bought a rowing machine I hope I’ll still be using by March…
Take a trip down memory lane with us, to revisit the exercise trends that preceded the fancy rowing machines, Peloton bike, and Tonal fitness mirror.
Americans in the 1920s loved “The Daily Dozen,” 12 calisthenic exercises that were popular and easy to do.
In the 1950s, people loved hula-hooping and watching Jack LaLanne’s fitness television show.
The vibrating belt was a short-lived 1960s fad.
Jazzercise came of age in the 1970s, ushering in two steady decades of dance fitness classics that included step aerobics and Richard Simmons Sweatin’ to the Oldies.
In the 1990s, women around the country flocked to Curves gyms. Americans also bought a lot of Tae Bo DVDs from Billy Blanks and ThighMasters from Suzanne Sommers.
In the early 2000s we embraced Zumba and spin cycling classes.
In the last 10 years, Americans have made yoga (to be clear: not a passing fad) more popular than ever. Recent exercise trends include Crossfit, HIIT workouts, and ninja warrior obstacle gyms.
Looking for more throwbacks? Men’s Journal offers this list of the 25 Biggest Fitness Fads of All Time.
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Nicole Buckley
Communications Strategist
Association of American Medical Colleges
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