If you’ve ever thought that the word “workout” sounded a bit too serious, you’re not alone. In fact, 10 workouts guaranteed to make you look ridiculous are exactly what the fitness world needs right now—something fresh, goofy, and oddly effective. Below you’ll find a quirky, rank‑ordered rundown of the most off‑the‑wall exercise trends that manage to get your heart pumping while giving you a story worth sharing at the next brunch.
Why 10 Workouts Guaranteed Will Make You Look Ridiculous (And Feel Great)
10 Prancercise
Back in 1989, a fitness enthusiast named Joanna Rohrback was trotting down Hollywood Boulevard with ankle weights strapped to her legs. She added a flamboyant swing of the arms and described the motion on a fledgling YouTube clip as a “springy, rhythmic way of moving forward, similar to a horse’s gait.” That whimsical style earned her the moniker “Prancercise.” By 1994 she had drafted a manuscript titled Prancercise: The Art of Physical and Spiritual Excellence, though the book stayed in the drawer for nearly twenty years.
During the early 2000s, Rohrback’s health took a turn for the worse, sidelining her from any kind of physical activity for nine long years. In 2013 she finally reclaimed her passion, posting a five‑minute demonstration of Prancercise on YouTube. The video exploded into a viral sensation, inspiring countless others to gallop through hallways, streets, and even office cubicles while filming their own quirky routines.
Since that viral moment, Prancercise has been published, complete with a dedicated website. Practitioners rave that it liberates them from the monotony of typical gym sessions, allowing personal expression through movement. Participants often sync their prance to their favorite beats, making each session uniquely theirs.
Beyond the fun factor, Prancercise is low‑impact and accessible to most fitness levels. The ankle weights add a modest challenge, while the overall intensity stays moderate. It won’t replace high‑intensity interval training, but it does raise heart rate, making it an ideal gateway for beginners or anyone rebooting their exercise habit after a long break.
9 High Heel Workouts
Wearing high heels can be a fashion statement, but it’s no secret that they place extra stress on the knees, calves, and Achilles tendons. A 2011 study linked regular heel use to a heightened risk of future osteoarthritis, especially in the knee joint. Moreover, the added weight and altered gait can actually reduce the number of calories burned during a walk.
Despite the drawbacks, a niche market of fitness studios now offers high‑heel classes. These sessions mirror conventional group workouts, except participants are perched in stilettos. Programs like Heel Hop claim to alleviate heel‑related discomfort by strengthening the supporting muscles, while also promising cardiovascular benefits, a leaner lower body, a slimmer waist, improved leg tone, and a boost in confidence and dance prowess.
Working out in heels does indeed torch calories and fortify the leg muscles, but it’s worth noting that the aesthetic gains might mask underlying wear and tear. A thorough pre‑workout stretch routine is strongly advised to mitigate the long‑term strain.
8 Fifty Shapes Of Grey
Even if you never opened a copy of E.L. James’s bestseller, you’ve likely heard of the cultural phenomenon Fifty Shades of Grey. Fitness guru Kristen James (no relation to the author) turned that intrigue into a 13‑move routine called “Fifty Shapes of Grey.” The workout can be executed with just a chair and a mat, and the exercise names—such as “seductive squats” and “sexy scissors”—make the theme unmistakable.
Physically, the routine leans heavily on flexibility and core stability. Its ultimate aim is to arm you with the confidence and physique needed to reenact the novel’s steamy scenes—or simply enjoy a more vibrant sex life. Some movements even require you to rise onto the tips of your toes, likely because attempting them in stilettos would be hazardous.
7 Kangoo Jumps
The eye‑catching footwear known as Kangoo Jumps emerged in the 1990s, designed to cushion high‑impact workouts. When athletes push themselves to the limit, forces can reach five times Earth’s gravity. Kangoo Jumps extend the impact duration, letting muscles absorb energy more safely, and studies suggest they can cut impact stress by up to 80 % while protecting joints.
Unlike traditional running, Kangoo Jumps make the entire foot strike the ground and then spring back up, giving the sensation of bouncing on a trampoline. This style burns roughly 25‑50 % more calories than regular running, while also demanding extra core stabilization.
Initially a tool for elite athletes, Kangoo Jumps have since leapt into mainstream gyms, dance classes, and community boot camps. You can purchase a pair online and master the technique fairly quickly. As of now, no one has documented a Prancercise session while sporting Kangoo Jumps—though the idea is amusing.
6 Europlate
Imagine a workout where you barely have to move. Enter the Europlate: a vibrating platform that users either sit or stand upon. The plate oscillates between 30‑50 Hz, prompting muscles to contract and stretch more efficiently than conventional exercise. Manufacturers even tout that a ten‑minute session on a Europlate equals an hour of traditional training.
The claimed benefits are extensive: enhanced bone density, improved circulation, boosted metabolism, heightened strength, stamina, and muscle tone. Users also report reduced fat, diminished joint pain, and even a detoxifying effect via increased lymphatic flow.
While these machines are sprouting in gyms worldwide, you don’t necessarily need to splurge on a pricey unit. A 2009 study found that obese women using vibration plates shed more weight than those following standard exercise routines. However, to reap the rewards, proper technique is essential—if the session feels too easy, you’re probably not engaging the muscles correctly.
5 Chair‑A‑Cise
Sometimes the simplest solutions are the most effective. Chair‑A‑Cise is a full‑body routine performed entirely while seated. Developed by personal trainer Daryl Madison, the program is crafted to be accessible regardless of one’s physical condition.
Because the workout requires only a chair, obstacles like gym membership fees, travel schedules, or limited mobility disappear. Hotels, offices, and homes all provide a suitable seat, making it ideal for busy professionals or frequent travelers. The method also accommodates beginners, injury recoveries, and individuals carrying extra weight.
Despite the seated posture, Chair‑A‑Cise can deliver a robust workout—even for seasoned athletes. Madison, certified by the American Council on Exercise with over a decade of experience, notes that adding dumbbells or increasing tempo can amp up intensity. Currently, four distinct Chair‑A‑Cise programs exist, ranging from short, high‑intensity bursts (like Chair‑A‑Cise Turbo) to longer, moderate sessions, perfect for fitting into a hectic day.
4 Zuu
High‑intensity interval training (HIIT) has dominated recent fitness trends, and Zuu injects a fresh twist. Conceived in Australia by Nathan Helberg in 2010, Zuu’s classes have spread across the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Japan, even catching the eye of Sir Richard Branson, professional sports teams, and military units.
The name is a playful nod to “zoo,” as instructors shout the name of an animal and participants mimic its movement for 30‑second bursts. Expect to see gorillas, frog squats, bear crawls, iguanas, and more—sometimes complete with the appropriate animal sounds.
Although the spectacle may look silly, Zuu is a powerhouse. A 15‑minute session can torch 500‑1,000 calories, leaving participants drenched in sweat. Adding a resistance harness raises the difficulty, likened to being tethered to a human‑sized leash. Despite the theatrics, participants rave about the post‑workout glow.
3 Horse Riding Fitness Ace Power
Riding a horse provides a surprisingly robust workout, burning about 5.5 METs on average—roughly five times the energy you expend while reading this article. Galloping can spike to 7.3 METs, comparable to an intense squash match, while also strengthening the quadriceps and hamstrings. Even routine stall cleaning offers moderate exercise.
Enter the Korean‑engineered Ace Power, a machine that mimics the up‑and‑down motion of horseback riding. Users sit on a bicycle‑style seat that rocks rhythmically, giving the illusion of hip‑thrusting in a living room. Its suggestive appearance has drawn comparisons to the infamous Shake Weight.
Critics argue that the device’s motion is overly repetitive, neglects upper‑body engagement, and could potentially strain the back. Nonetheless, it offers a novel way to experience the benefits of equine exercise without needing a stable or a real horse.
2 Waterwalkerz
Straddling the line between fitness gadget and party novelty, Waterwalkerz resemble giant hamster balls for humans. Originating in China and Japan, these inflatable plastic spheres allow users to walk—sometimes run—across water, delivering a full‑body workout that heavily engages the core and abdominal muscles.
Each bubble can be inflated with a supplied device and is sturdy enough to withstand pebble‑covered beaches without puncturing. Participants typically have about 30 minutes of breathable air before they must surface. Balancing inside the sphere is surprisingly challenging; even standing demands considerable effort. Reporters have joked that maneuvering a Waterwalkerz would be tougher than sparring with Mike Tyson.
1 Pao Facial Fitness
While most workouts target the torso, limbs, or cardio, Pao Facial Fitness zeroes in on the muscles of the face. Endorsed by football legend Cristiano Ronaldo, this compact ABS device features a mouthpiece with two detachable weights attached to flexible extensions. Users simply place the central piece in their mouth and shake their heads up and down.
The rhythmic motion works the cheek muscles—specifically the greater and lesser zygomaticus—as well as the risorius, fostering a more lifted, youthful smile. The mouthpiece also forces the lips into an “O” shape, exercising the orbicularis oris for a tighter lip line.
Pao offers three weight options—18 g, 23 g, or 28 g—allowing users to adjust intensity. A typical regimen involves shaking the head for 30‑90 seconds, twice daily. When performed correctly, the routine tones facial muscles without straining the jaw or teeth.
Although Anthony (the article’s author) experimented with several odd workouts, he admits he never thought to upload his own Pao session to YouTube.