Logo
HealthHealth

With clocks springing forward this weekend for daylight saving time, it’s time to spring into action.

About 80% of US households dust off their brooms, vacuums and scrub brushes each year for spring cleaning.

Amid the faded clothes and unused linens, you might spot some wellness gadgets from trends long past.


  Shake Weights, a defining exercise of the aughts, were designed to tone arms and shoulders as well as draw stares. Shake Weight Shake Weights, a defining exercise of the aughts, were designed to tone arms and shoulders as well as draw stares. Shake Weight

And while it may seem like the ’90s are back thanks to a new “Scream,” an upcoming reboot of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy style copycats, it should be out with the oldies and in with the latest tech.

Cultural historian Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, author of “Fit Nation: The Gains and Pains of America’s Exercise Obsession,” weighs in on five bygone wellness devices and their modern-day swaps.

OUT: Dr. Scholl’s exercise sandals

This may be the loudest exercise equipment around.

These wooden clogs — which gained popularity in the ’70s — are designed to “shape, tone and firm your legs with every step you take.”

But the rigid, uncomfortable design drew complaints of painful blisters, leg cramps and unsteadiness. Nevermind the incessant clacking sound.


  It’s a clog! It’s an athletic sandal! It’s killing my feet! Dr. Scholl’s exercise sandals were fashion and fitness in one wooden design. Dr. Scholl's It’s a clog! It’s an athletic sandal! It’s killing my feet! Dr. Scholl’s exercise sandals were fashion and fitness in one wooden design. Dr. Scholl's

IN: Supportive sneakers

Now, many footwear brands have developed specialized athletic shoes — and sneakers have become a trendy staple.

“The ‘healthiest’ ones won’t help you burn calories on their own but will be comfortable and supportive enough that they make you want to walk more,” Petrzela told The Post.

“Any good pair of sneakers or supportive footwear, including Dr. Scholl’s, should do the trick!”

New York Post Reviewed

In our Brooks vs. Hoka review, our editor was won over by the cushioning and support of both the Clifton 9s and the Clifton 10s.

$155.00
Buy Now

These lightweight sneakers have an absorbent midsole and NDurance rubber outsoles for extra durability.

$79.99 $69.99
Buy Now
New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links.

OUT: Sauna suits

“‘Big sweat equals big weight loss’ was the promise,” Petrzela said.

These suits, made of synthetic plastic or rubber, are supposed to trap body heat and maximize sweating for rapid but temporary water weight loss.

If you didn’t have a suit, you didn’t have to sweat it. People fashioned their own out of garbage bags.

Due to the risks of dehydration and heatstroke, some athletic associations banned sauna suits in the ’70s.

IN: High-tech body optimization

Fitness suits have since undergone a makeover. Electrical muscle stimulation suits, for one, feature electrodes that deliver electrical impulses to muscles, intensifying workouts, improving muscle tone and hastening weight loss.

OUT: ThighMaster

Hawking the ThighMaster was some of Suzanne Somers’ best work in the ’90s — beyond “Step by Step,” of course.

“[She] sold the fantasy that with enough pulses on the ThighMaster, one’s thighs could resemble hers,” Petrzela said.


  ThighMaster was very successful in part because Suzanne Somers was the spokesmodel. ThighMaster ThighMaster was very successful in part because Suzanne Somers was the spokesmodel. ThighMaster

“There was also the fact that you could do the ThighMaster at home, while watching TV… no going to the gym or buying a massive piece of equipment.”

Despite its simple design, the portable device could be deceptively challenging as it strengthened and toned inner thigh muscles.

IN: Resistance bands

Resistance bands serve a similar purpose today,” Petrzela said. Plus, they’re easier to store.

Amazon Choice Product

With nearly a perfect five-star rating, the Vergali Resistance Bands offer four levels of resistance and come with a training guide.

$21.99
Buy Now

These resistance bands make it easy to sculpt and tone, no matter where you’re training. Three come in a pack, each measuring 5 feet long by 6 inches wide.

Buy Now
New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links.

OUT: WOW chips

WOW, these potato chips were problematic.

They were made with olestra, marketed as Olean, an indigestible fat substitute composed of sugar and vegetable oil. It had no calories or cholesterol — but quite a few horrifying risks.

“These promised to let you have it all: delicious potato chips with none of the fat,” Petrzela recalled.

“The problem was that olestra had all sorts of side effects — memorably, ‘anal leakage’ was listed as one — that were arguably worse than a few extra pounds.”

This late ’90s diet snack was eventually flushed from store shelves.

In the subsequent years, numerous studies have emphasized the health risks of ultra-processed foods like chips. The potential for obesity, Type 2 diabetes, certain cancers and even early death increases with the more junk food that you consume.

IN: Healthier ingredients — and more protein

Meanwhile, chips have gotten relatively “healthier” — some are air-popped and air-fried instead of deep fried, while others don’t contain seed oils.

Even more have been stuffed with protein, including Khloe Kardashian’s Khloud popcorn, Pop-Tarts and even Doritos.

Amazon Choice Product

Boasting 19 grams of protein per serving, more than 7,000 Amazon shoppers grabbed this variety pack of tortilla-style chips last month. Flavors include Loaded Taco, Buffalo Ranch and Salsa Verde.

$31.31
Buy Now

Perfect for mid-afternoon munchies, these protein-packed pretzels offer up to 28 grams of the macronutrient, plus lots of savory flavor.

$20.99
Buy Now
New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links.

OUT: Shake Weights

It’s the most sexually suggestive doohickey of the bunch.

These desirable dumbbells launched in 2009 and quickly went viral thanks to hokey “As Seen on TV” commercials that highlighted their rapid oscillations.

Unfortunately, they were found to be no more effective at toning arms and shoulders than traditional dumbbells.

IN: Classic dumbbells

“An alternative is boring old dumbbells, which tend to do the trick of providing weight-bearing training,” Petrzela said.

Who says you need a gym? This adjustable weight set transforms from dumbbells into a kettlebell and even a barbell for all your weight training needs.

$109.99 $89.99
Buy Now

Squeeze in a few bicep curls while watching TV. The Amazon Basics Neoprene Dumbbells are small enough to store beneath your bed or couch, plus have thousands of fans on Amazon.

$29.99
Buy Now
New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links.

Comments
anonymous profile image
Powered by RoundtableBuilt on infrastructure designed for real-time media. Learn more at RTB.io.© Roundtable 2026. By using this site you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy