The Best (And Worst) Fitness Trends of the 90s

Depending on your age, you may have no idea what we’re talking about in this article, but for those old enough, there were some interesting ’90s fitness trends that took place.

The ’90s was an era of innovative fitness trends that marked a turning point in how people approached fitness. From high-intensity workouts to new exercise equipment, the ’90s fitness trends brought several significant changes to the industry. 

Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and look at some of the ’90s fitness trends that were popular.

The Most Memorable ’90s Fitness Trends from Back in the Day

We had some great ’90s fitness trends and some not-so-great. Below are the top seven fitness trends of the ’90s:

1. Jazzercise

There’s dancin’ to the oldies, and then there’s Jazzercise. Women (and men) flocked to do their Jazzercise workouts, where they would dance to choreographed music and burn calories with a smile on their faces. It was like a party, only while exercising at the same time. It’s hard not to talk about Jazzercise when you bring up ’90s fitness trends.

2. Step Aerobics

Step aerobics was one of the most popular forms of aerobics in the ’90s, and for a good reason. The high-energy, fast-paced workouts combined with simple, easy-to-follow steps made it a hit among fitness enthusiasts. Whether getting their workouts in a gym or via VHS and a step they purchased for their home, everyone was doing step aerobics.

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3. Buns of Steel

One of the hottest videos that were sold in the ’90s is by far the Buns of Steel. Between the lycra and Pilates-style exercises, this was one of the most sought-after ’90s fitness trends out there. Women would toss these videos in their VHS players and would be off to sculpt and shape their glutes. 

4. Tae-Bo

Tae-Bo was a new form of workout that combined traditional martial arts techniques with high-intensity cardio movements. Each session was led by celebrity (at the time) Billy Blanks. The dynamic workout was an instant hit and soon became one of the most popular ’90s fitness trends.

5. Pilates

Pilates is a form of exercise that focuses on strengthening the core and improving posture. In the ’90s, Pilates started to gain popularity among celebrities and fitness enthusiasts who were looking for a low-impact workout that provided both physical and mental benefits. Surprisingly enough, this is one of the ’90s fitness trends that is still going strong to this day.

6. ThighMaster

Does the name Suzanne Somers ring a bell? Somers was one of the models for ThighMaster, where every woman wanted to have sculpted legs that mirrored Somers’, and guys would get caught staring in awe of her beauty. ThighMaster was one of the best-selling at-home pieces of exercise equipment in the ’90s, and the commercials definitely drove sales. It is said that Somers has made upwards of $300M from ThighMaster.

7. Stationary Bikes

Stationary bikes became a popular piece of workout equipment in the ’90s, thanks to the advent of indoor cycling classes. The bikes allowed people to get a high-intensity workout in a comfortable, indoor environment without even needing to leave their homes. While one of the popular ’90s fitness trends, stationary bikes have evolved and are found in many homes across the US today.

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