11 Odd Ways People Got In Shape Throughout History

A vest that shocks your muscles was outlawed? Shocking.

1. Vibrating Belts

In the '60s, folks were jiggling their stomachs in hopes of slimming down. We wish we could say this was a one-time trend, but in the 2000s we saw new iterations that would literally shock your stomach with electrical currents to get you six-pack abs.

2. Shadow Shrinking

Ah yes, the key to getting slimmer is starting with shrinking your shadow. In the early 1900s, stretching was all the rage, and this exercise had you stretch and contort your body to make your shadow as small as possible. Check out the exercise in action here.

3. Toning Shoes

In theory, an oddly shaped shoe would definitely help to tone your butt, right? Well, that's what sneaker makers were banking on when they joined the toning shoe craze. The only problem: Toning shoes did absolutely nothing.

4. "Relaxing" Workout Vests

This workout vest from the 1950s was marketed as a relaxing workout contraption that could help you get fit without any effort at all! You could even get fit in your sleep. Sound too good to be true? It was, and the US government banned it because of the potentially harmful effects of sending shocks to your muscles via electrodes.

5. Sauna Pants

Sauna pants are just what they sound like: Pants that are like a sauna. The logic was that they'd help you sweat it out as you did your normal workout. Sure, they may help, but...why? Nobody intentionally asks for swamp butt.

6. Wall Climbs

Wanna get fit like a medieval knight? Channel your inner Spider-Man and shimmy up a wall! Yes, in the 1300s, the French knight Jean Le Maingre said a great way to get in fighting shape was to position yourself between two nearby walls and wiggle your way up as high as you can go. Parkour, anyone?

7. Working Out Buck Naked

Fun fact: The word gymnós literally means naked. So it makes sense that the Greeks would get ripped in the nude.

8. Hula-Hooping

Ah yes, Hula-Hooping. This piece of plastic was first used by Greeks for fitness, and doctors in Scotland used it to treat back problems. When Wham-O brought it to the US in the '50s, it blew up, leading to the creation of national Hula-Hooping competitions.

9. Broom Extensions

The key to a toned forearm: broom extensions. In the 1932 book Molding A Mighty Grip, George F. Jowett had a lot of creative ways to strengthen your grip: lifting books with your fingers, carrying kegs, or placing a brick on a broom that you have to steady as you extend your arm.

10. Balance Bracelets

It wasn't long ago that the balance bracelet craze broke out. Athletes everywhere were grabbing this band to improve their swing, balance, love life, finances, and everything under the sun. The only problem: It didn't do anything, and the industry died after angry customers won a $57 million settlement.

11. Weights You Gotta Wiggle

Who remembers this device? By shaking it vigorously, you were supposed to be able to work out your arms. In reality, it was more of an ab workout watching people's hilarious attempts to use it. While it might have stimulated muscle, to get full stimulation you would have had to apply some resistance through a full range of motion. Not just, like, a lot of shaking.

Illustrations by Kevin Valente / BuzzFeed

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