Buzz
People engage in exercise for various reasons, and while activities like jogging and weightlifting are commonplace, numerous unique and unconventional workouts have emerged over the years to combat the monotony of traditional routines, often yielding bizarre outcomes.
10. Prancercise
In 1989, fitness enthusiast Joanna Rohrback was strolling down Hollywood Boulevard wearing ankle weights. She incorporated rhythmic arm movements into her steps, creating what she later described on YouTube as a “springy, rhythmic way of moving forward, akin to a horse’s gait.” Convinced she had discovered something special, she named her new workout “Prancercise.” In 1994, Rohrback authored a book titled Prancercise: The Art of Physical and Spiritual Excellence, which remained unpublished. The concept was shelved for nearly 20 years.
For nearly a decade in the 2000s, Rohrback was unable to exercise due to a prolonged illness. However, in 2013, she returned to fitness, reviving her Prancercise routine and sharing a five-minute instructional video on YouTube. The video quickly gained popularity, inspiring others to emulate her galloping movements and share their own videos online.
Rohrback’s book has since been published, and Prancercise now boasts its own dedicated website. Beyond physical fitness, Prancercise is touted as a way to free individuals from monotonous gym routines and encourage personal expression. Participants move rhythmically to their favorite music, embracing movements that feel natural and unrestrained.
This unique workout offers the advantage of being low impact and accessible to most individuals. While ankle weights can increase the intensity, Prancercise is not a high-intensity activity. However, it effectively raises the heart rate and serves as an excellent starting point for beginners or those returning to exercise after a long break, much like Rohrback herself.
9. High Heel Workouts
High heels are often uncomfortable, and their regular use has been linked to adverse health effects. A 2011 study suggested that wearing high heels could increase the risk of osteoarthritis, particularly in the knees. The shin muscles, quadriceps, and knee tendons endure additional stress, as do the calves, which may become permanently shortened. The Achilles tendon is similarly affected. Beyond the strain on muscles and tendons, some researchers believe that walking in high heels burns fewer calories due to the slower walking pace they impose.
Exercising in high heels may seem counterintuitive, but specialized high heel workouts are a reality, with gyms offering dedicated classes. These sessions resemble standard fitness classes, with the unique twist of participants wearing high heels. One such program, Heel Hop, claims to alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with high heels by strengthening the body. Additional benefits include enhanced cardiovascular health, a more toned lower body, a slimmer waist, improved leg muscle definition, and boosted confidence and dance abilities.
While working out in high heels can burn calories and strengthen leg muscles, critics argue that the visible benefits may come at the cost of long-term strain on the legs. Proper stretching before such workouts is highly recommended.
8. Fifty Shapes Of Grey
Regardless of your stance on it, E.L. James’s Fifty Shades of Grey and its film adaptation are widely recognized. Now, a workout inspired by the novel’s intimate scenes has emerged. Fitness expert Kristen James (unrelated to the author) created “Fifty Shapes of Grey,” a 13-exercise routine requiring only a chair and mats. The workout’s sensual theme is reflected in exercise names like “seductive squats” and “sexy scissors.”
Fifty Shapes of Grey focuses on enhancing flexibility and core strength. The program aims to provide the confidence and physical fitness necessary to recreate Fifty Shades’s intimate moments or simply improve one’s overall sexual experience. Some exercises involve balancing on tiptoes, likely because performing them in stilettos could lead to injury.
7. Kangoo Jumps
The distinctive Kangoo Jumps shoes, likely named after kangaroos, were invented in the 1990s to help athletes minimize the impact of intense workouts. High-intensity exercises often subject joints to forces up to five times Earth’s gravity. Kangoo Jumps mitigate this by extending the duration of impact, allowing muscles to absorb energy more effectively. Research indicates they can reduce joint stress by up to 80 percent while safeguarding joints.
Running in Kangoo Jumps involves the entire foot striking the ground simultaneously, followed by a rebound effect. Users describe the experience as akin to running on a trampoline. This method burns 25–50 percent more calories than traditional running and engages the core more intensely for balance and stability.
In recent years, Kangoo Jumps have transitioned from athletic training to mainstream fitness. Gyms now offer bouncy dance classes, and Kangoo running groups and boot camps have gained popularity. While gyms and classes are available, individuals can also purchase their own pair online. Despite providing a more challenging workout, mastering the shoes is reportedly straightforward. To date, no one has attempted to combine Prancercise with Kangoo Jumps.
6. Europlate
What if you could exercise without moving much? If that appeals to you, Europlate might be your ideal workout. This machine features a vibrating platform where users can sit or stand in various positions. The plate vibrates at 30–50 hertz, causing muscles to contract and stretch more efficiently than traditional exercises. The manufacturers even claim that 10 minutes on a Europlate is equivalent to an hour-long workout.
Vibration machines like Europlate are said to offer numerous benefits. They exercise muscles without the strain of conventional workouts, improving bone density, circulation, metabolism, strength, stamina, and muscle tone. They also aid in fat burning, reduce joint pain, and detoxify the body by enhancing lymphatic drainage.
As vibration machines grow in popularity and become more accessible in gyms, you no longer need to spend thousands of dollars to use one. However, there’s ongoing debate about their effectiveness. A 2009 study found that obese women using vibration plates lost more weight than those engaging in traditional exercise. To maximize benefits, proper use is crucial—if it feels too easy, you’re likely not doing it correctly.
5. Chair-A-Cise
For those who prefer a seated workout, Chair-A-Cise is the answer. As the name implies, this program is performed entirely while sitting in a chair. Created by personal trainer Daryl Madison, it’s designed to be inclusive, allowing anyone to benefit regardless of their physical condition.
Chair-A-Cise eliminates many common barriers to maintaining a regular fitness routine. For those unable to visit a gym, the program can be done at home or during a lunch break. Since chairs are readily available in hotels, frequent travelers can also participate. It’s particularly beginner-friendly and suitable for individuals with injuries or weight concerns.
While exercising in a chair might seem unconventional, Chair-A-Cise is said to deliver an effective workout, even for seasoned athletes. (It’s worth noting that Madison is certified by the American Council on Exercise and boasts over a decade of training experience.) Incorporating dumbbells and increasing the pace can elevate the program’s intensity.
Currently, there are four Chair-A-Cise programs to choose from, each differing in duration and intensity. For instance, Chair-A-Cise Turbo is a brief yet high-energy option designed for those with tight schedules. It’s perfect for multitasking, like reading KnowledgeNuts.
4. Zuu
High-intensity interval training has surged in popularity, and Zuu offers a fresh, innovative approach to keeping your heart rate elevated. Created in 2010 by Australian Nathan Helberg, Zuu has gained global traction, with classes now available in the US, UK, France, and Japan. Notable enthusiasts include Sir Richard Branson, sports teams, and military personnel.
The name Zuu likely draws inspiration from “zoo,” as the workout involves an instructor calling out animal names while participants mimic their movements in 30-second bursts. Some even add animal sounds for fun. Moves include the gorilla, frog squat, bear crawl, and iguana, along with a few non-animal-themed exercises.
Despite its playful appearance, Zuu is incredibly effective. A 15-minute session can burn 500–1,000 calories, leaving participants drenched in sweat and often struggling to complete the workout. Adding a resistance harness, akin to a human-sized leash, increases the challenge. While the classes are entertaining, participants focus on the post-workout sense of accomplishment.
3. Pao Facial Fitness
While full-body workouts are plentiful, facial exercise options are rare. Enter Pao Facial Fitness, endorsed by world-class footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. This simple ABS plastic device features a mouthpiece with weighted, flexible extensions. Users place the mouthpiece in their mouth and move their head up and down to engage facial muscles.
The shaking motion targets cheek muscles, promoting a more youthful smile. It strengthens the greater and lesser zygomatic muscles, as well as the risorius muscle, enhancing facial contours. The mouthpiece’s design forces the lips into an “O” shape, engaging the orbicularis oris muscle for added toning.
Pao offers weights in 18, 23, or 28 grams to adjust the workout’s intensity. Simply shaking your head with the device for 30–90 seconds twice daily is sufficient. When used correctly, Pao tones facial muscles without stressing the jaw or teeth.
2. Waterwalkerz
Blurring the line between fitness equipment and party entertainment, Waterwalkerz are often compared to human-sized hamster balls. Initially popular in China and Japan, they’re now gaining traction worldwide. Users step inside these inflatable plastic spheres to walk on water, mimicking the movement of a hamster in a ball. The durable plastic can withstand pebble beaches, and an inflation device is included.
A Waterwalker session lasts about 30 minutes before air runs out, though most users struggle to last that long. Balancing and moving inside the sphere is far more challenging than it appears. As one TV reporter joked, it might be easier to fight Mike Tyson. The activity provides a full-body workout, particularly engaging the core muscles. Waterwalkerz are also a fun way to exhaust energetic children at parties.
1. Horse Riding Fitness Ace Power
Horseback riding offers a more intense workout than many realize. Measured in metabolic equivalent of task (MET), riding a horse averages 5.5 METS. (For comparison, reading this article uses 1 MET.) The energy expenditure decreases to 3.8 METS at a walk and increases to 7.3 METS at a gallop, similar to playing squash. Regular riding has been shown to enhance muscular strength, especially in the quadriceps and hamstrings. Even cleaning a horse’s stall provides moderate exercise.
While horseback riding typically requires open space and a horse, the Horse Riding Fitness Ace Power offers an alternative. This Korean exercise machine features a bicycle-like seat that rocks up and down, simulating the motion of riding a horse and purportedly delivering similar benefits. Users appear to be performing hip thrusts in their living rooms, leading to comparisons with the infamous Shake Weight due to its suggestive appearance.
Despite its design, questions remain about the machine’s effectiveness. It poorly replicates a horse’s movements, operating in a single, repetitive motion. The arms remain inactive, and concerns have been raised about potential back issues. Some argue that a bull-riding machine at a local bar might offer a slightly less monotonous workout.
