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.

Welcome to a whirlwind tour of 10 bizarre cultural foods that will make you lose your lunch. From Arctic bird droppings to eggs steeped in boys’ urine, these dishes push the limits of culinary curiosity and test the bravest of stomachs.

10 Bizarre Cultural Foods Overview

10 Ptarmigan Droppings

Ptarmigans are hefty Arctic birds that resemble a more elegant chicken. To the Inuit of northern Canada they are a vital food source because, unlike migratory fauna, they stay put throughout the brutal winter months. In a landscape where hunters can endure weeks without a major catch, a reliable protein source is worth its weight in gold.

The Inuit have learned to make use of every single part of the ptarmigan – even its feces. But ptarmigan droppings are not a casual trail snack you can grab on the way to a seal nursery. Preparing this dish requires a delicate process. First, the droppings are gathered in winter, brought indoors, thawed, and dried – fresh droppings simply lack the proper flavor.

Next comes the seal. The raw seal is cut into chunks, chewed, and the chewed pieces are spat into a bowl. Adding extra saliva is encouraged. The dried ptarmigan droppings are then mixed with the masticated seal meat, stirred well, and a splash of rancid seal oil is added for extra gusto. According to those who have tried it, the result isn’t as terrible as you might imagine.

9 Jumiles

Every November, families across Taxco, Mexico, gather for one of the most important culinary celebrations of the year. The city comes alive with the aromas of hot corn tortillas, freshly ground chilies, and ripe tomatoes, while markets buzz with vendors hawking their wares to crowds of eager visitors. If you stop at a food stall for a quick bite, you won’t leave without a generous helping of the main ingredient – live stink bugs.

Known locally as jumiles, these green, crunchy insects are a prized treat in southwestern Mexico. They appear in massive numbers in November and linger until the end of February, during which locals harvest them by the basketful. Live jumiles are usually tossed into tacos, but they can also be ground into salsa, fried in their own oily secretions, grilled, roasted, toasted, or boiled. If you’re impatient, no one will bat an eye if you simply pop a live jumile into your mouth. The flavor is often described as “cinnamon‑like.”

8 Shiokara

For many Western diners, sushi represents the pinnacle of Japanese cuisine. If you’re feeling daring, you might try a dish called odori don, but that’s usually as far as most go.

It’s a shame, because Japanese gastronomy stretches far beyond sushi. Take shiokara, for instance. This delicacy consists of seafood served in its own fermented entrails, resulting in a lumpy, chewy, pungent slurry that can range in hue from light beige to deep brown, depending on the animal used. The most common variety is ika‑no shiokara, made from squid, though dozens of other versions exist. Typically, it’s paired with alcohol, and the customary practice is to bite into a generous spoonful of shiokara followed immediately by an even larger gulp of sake or whiskey.

7 Cobra Hearts

On Mangga Basar Street in Jakarta, cobra stalls open at sunset and stay bustling into the early morning. Here, patrons can partake in one of Indonesia’s most unique and macabre medicinal rituals – a shot of fresh cobra blood mixed with palm liquor.

The setup is straightforward. Beside each stall sits a cage bristling with angry black cobras. When a customer is ready, the vendor whips out a butcher’s knife, decapitates the calmest cobra he can grab, then holds the snake’s body upside down and squeezes every last ounce of bright red blood into a glass, all while chatting about the myriad health benefits of the sanguine concoction. Benefits touted include increased male sexual stamina, firmer breasts, and clearer skin for women. Vendors can earn up to $100 a night. After the snake is fully drained, it’s filleted and the meat is grilled shish‑kebab style.

In Vietnam, cobra blood nightcaps become even more hardcore. The process is similar, but instead of merely decapitating the cobra, the vendor tears out the still‑beating heart and tosses it into a glass filled with the snake’s blood and a few shots of rice wine.

6 Bodog

Even in the 21st century, Mongolia retains a strong nomadic culture that still practices the customs of their ancestors, many of which date back to the era of the great Mongolian Khans. While modern technology has seeped into the steppe between China and Russia – solar panels now sit beside traditional round, tent‑like ger – some traditions remain untouched.

Bodog, also known as Mongolian barbecue, is one such tradition. It involves cooking goat meat inside the goat’s own hide. The process is intricate and time‑consuming. After a goat is killed and beheaded, it is hung by the top of its severed spine while the chef painstakingly removes every bone, organ, and scrap of meat from the interior of the hide, taking great care not to pierce the skin. The viscera are left in steaming piles for dogs to pick off the snow‑dust‑covered ground, while the meat and bones are set aside and seasoned.

Eventually, the goat becomes an empty sack, signaling the start of cooking. Hot stones from a fire are stuffed into the dangling limb cavities, followed by a layer of meat, then more hot stones, layer by layer, until the goat is full. The sack is then tied shut at the neck and left to cook from the inside out. Periodically, the whole package is seared on the outside until the fur burns away, leaving a white balloon inflated with steam from the cooking juices. The result is a spectacular bodog.

5 Frog Juice

Peru boasts one of the most geographically diverse landscapes on Earth. From the lush Amazonian lowlands to the wind‑swept peaks of the towering Andes and down again to pearl‑white beaches brushed like a painting along the Pacific rim, it’s a country that offers everything – a visual casserole of nature’s most savage beauty. It’s home to ancient Machu Picchu, the icy pyramid Alpamayo, and the mysterious Nazca lines.

But one tradition is far from cool: every day at open‑air markets in Lima, vendors prepare a special concoction rooted in centuries‑old Peruvian folklore and mysticism – jugo de rana, or “frog juice.” Simply put, it’s a frog tossed into a blender with a dash of spices, herbs, and a squirt of honey. Supposedly, it’s good for everything from anemia to erectile dysfunction. When made with the endangered scrotum water frog, it’s nicknamed “Peruvian Viagra.” However, any frog may be used, and they’re employed indiscriminately regardless of conservation status.

According to the BBC, vendors can sell over 100 of these smoothies each day, each featuring a freshly blended frog as the creamy centerpiece. The open sale of the drink illustrates the clash between tradition and modern conservation laws in Peru. If ten jugo de rana stalls close one week, ten more pop up the next. The practice is akin to trying to stay dry in a hurricane by swatting raindrops; if left unchecked, entire Amazonian frog species could vanish in the time it takes to chug a mug of slimy, green, frog‑flavored “Viagra.”

4 Wasp Crackers

In early 2015, a handful of photos began circulating online, showing a cracker studded with dead wasps, reminiscent of chocolate chips. Far from a hoax, these wasp crackers are genuine and apparently quite popular around Omachi, Japan.

More of a fad than a delicacy, the crackers are made from digger wasps harvested from the wild. The wasps are boiled, dried, and then incorporated into the traditional rice‑cracker mix, or senbei. The idea originated when a group in Omachi partnered with a local bakery to create the crunchy treat. According to RocketNews24, the wasps taste like bitter raisins, and the only real downside is the occasional leg getting stuck between your teeth.

3 Dragon In The Flame Of Desire

China’s cuisine doesn’t beat around the bush. The food is vibrant, in‑your‑face, and full of life, a culinary kaleidoscope cultivated over centuries. An old Chinese saying claims they’ll eat anything with four legs except a table, and the six‑ and eight‑legged critters are certainly on the menu. Yet even in China, some dishes are considered rarities.

The Guolizhuang Restaurant has struggled to get its offerings into the mouths and hearts of Beijing’s diners for a good reason: every dish is made from penis. When you order “The Essence of the Golden Buddha,” “Lotus Flowers with 1,000 Layers,” or “Dragon in the Flame of Desire,” you receive ox penis, donkey penis, or yak penis, respectively. The menu also offers a single dish made from tiger penis, priced at $5,700 and requiring months of advance ordering to procure the parts. If you can’t decide which penis to try, you can order the “hotpot,” which features six types of penis and four testicles – essentially the Applebee’s sampler plate of genitalia.

2 Snake Wine

If you travel anywhere in Southeast Asia, you’ll likely encounter a bottle of snake wine at some point. Found from Ho Chi Minh City to Hong Kong, snake wine stems from a long tradition of holistic medicine. It’s said the snake infuses the liquor with healing properties capable of treating everything from skin conditions to arthritis, with the effect believed to come from the snake’s venom seeping into the wine.

Regardless of the truth, there’s something morbid about seeing a curled‑up snake floating in a jar of amber booze. According to Vice, production is even more unsettling: a live snake is coaxed into a bottle, then rice wine is poured over it, drowning the snake alive. A shot of the concoction certainly packs a bite, but sometimes the bite comes from the snake itself. There have been several stories of home‑made snake wine where the snake remained alive after months of storage. In 2013, a Chinese woman reportedly went to the hospital after the viper in her wine leapt out and bit her.

1 Virgin Boy Eggs

For centuries, spring has heralded one of the most revered traditions in Dongyang, China. As the weather warms and the first signs of greenery grace the hillsides, egg vendors make their yearly pilgrimage to the region’s elementary schools, where rows of buckets await collection for transport back to market stalls.

Over the next few days, a new scent fills the air – the “smell of spring,” according to some locals. If you wander the city’s streets, you’ll likely see large pots brimming with eggs simmering in a clear, yellowish liquid.

The liquid is the urine of young boys. Virgin boy eggs have been part of Dongyang’s culinary heritage for hundreds of years. No one remembers how the practice began or why the urine must come from boys, but tradition endures. Once the urine is collected from schools (boys are encouraged to urinate into buckets rather than toilets), the eggs are dropped into the pots and boiled. After the shells are cracked, the eggs are returned to the liquid to soak for a few more hours. It takes a day to produce a batch, and the eggs sell for twice the price of a regular boiled egg.

The internet is a wild arena where opinions clash, memes fly, and the phrase “10 topics guaranteed” to start an argument rings true every day. Whether you’re scrolling through comment sections or joining a heated subreddit thread, these ten subjects have a proven track record of turning polite discussion into full‑blown fireworks. Buckle up, because we’re about to explore each flashpoint in detail.

10 Topics Guaranteed God and Religion

One of humanity’s oldest riddles is the question, “Is there a God?” For centuries, believers and skeptics have locked horns, penning treatises, launching crusades, and even taking up arms. You’d think after millennia we’d have learned to argue civilly, yet the opposite is true. The fire‑storm is fueled by a handful of vocal extremists on each side. Atheists sometimes brand religion as “sky‑fairy worship” and liken it to child abuse, while devout believers frequently dismiss scientific theories as heretical. In everyday life, most of us know friends on both sides who respect each other’s views, but when the topic lands on a public forum, the loudest, most polarizing voices dominate, turning a nuanced discussion into a battlefield of condescension and accusation.

9 Israel/Palestine Conflict

Territorial disputes are everywhere—Northern Ireland, Kashmir, the Falklands, Gibraltar, Western Sahara—yet the Israel‑Palestine saga grabs a disproportionate share of online fury. The roots run deep: rockets, airstrikes, land seizures, and a relentless stream of propaganda fuel an already volatile mix. While the world watches daily headlines of violence and political maneuvering, the internet’s collective attention zeroes in on this single flashpoint, often drowning out other conflicts. The intensity isn’t just about geography; it’s about identity, history, and a sense that every comment can tip the scales, making rational debate feel impossible.

8 Taxation

Taxes are the universal nuisance we all tolerate because society runs on them. Yet the moment you mention the word “tax” on a message board, a legion of zealots emerges—some chanting about government overreach, others brandishing libertarian manifestos. From outrage over a corporation’s tax dodge to fury over a new, steep rate, the topic pulls out the most vocal anti‑tax crusaders. Even the author of this list admits to having strong opinions, yet never advocated for a 100 % tax or equated it with slavery—though those extremes do appear in the comment sections, courtesy of self‑appointed Che Guevara types and Ayn Rand devotees.

7 Feminism

Feminism provokes a level of vitriol that eclipses even the most contentious political issues. For many, the very word conjures images of misogynistic tirades or a competitive oppression scoreboard. The movement’s many strands—intersectional, radical, liberal—often argue amongst themselves, but the external backlash is fierce. Critics dismiss it as a campaign of victimhood, while supporters fight for equal pay, bodily autonomy, and safety for all genders. The paradox is that the core principle—equality—should be universally agreeable, yet the label triggers some of the most heated exchanges online.

6 Circumcision

When the subject of circumcision surfaces, the internet erupts into a chorus of outraged voices. Female genital mutilation (FGM) is universally condemned, but male circumcision becomes a powder‑keg of accusations ranging from child abuse to religious oppression. Commenters flood forums with pleas to involve law enforcement, comparisons to witch‑burnings, and moral panics. While the author remains neutral, acknowledging that each side holds deeply personal convictions, the discussion spirals into a frenzy of extreme positions, demonstrating how even a medical practice can ignite a full‑scale argument.

5 Islam

Drop the word “Islam” into any article and you’ve essentially tossed a hand grenade into a hornet’s nest. Decades of headlines linking Islam to bombings, assassinations, and riots have hardened public perception, and many online commenters treat the religion as a monolith. The nuance that separates a moderate Indonesian family from a Sudanese extremist often disappears, while other faiths rarely face such blanket stereotyping. The result is a relentless barrage of generalizations, fear‑mongering, and defensive posturing that turns any dialogue into a battlefield.

4 Freedom Of Speech

Free speech is the internet’s favorite rallying cry, yet it also sparks fierce cross‑cultural clashes. In the United States, even the most hateful speech is protected, while European nations impose limits—banning Nazi symbols in Germany or Holocaust denial in France. When American libertarians collide with European legal frameworks, comment sections explode with accusations of tyranny versus censorship. The core principle remains vital, but the disagreement over its boundaries fuels endless debate, proving that liberty itself can be a source of heated controversy.

3 Climate Change

Climate science has become a cultural flashpoint. Decades of research have turned most people into self‑proclaimed experts, yet the subject ignites two diametrically opposed camps. Deniers claim a grand conspiracy by scientists, liberals, and globalists to control the masses, while believers accuse skeptics of being funded by oil barons. Both sides see the other as part of a massive plot, leading to a perfect storm of paranoia, name‑calling, and relentless trolling whenever the planet’s temperature is mentioned.

2 Holocaust Denial

Even with mountains of evidence, a disturbing minority still claim the Holocaust was exaggerated or didn’t happen at all. Their revisionist narratives spread across comment sections, provoking outrage, moral indignation, and fierce rebuttals. Denying the systematic murder of six million Jews, alongside other targeted groups, is not just historically false—it’s a moral abomination that many readers label as outright evil. The clash between factual history and hateful distortion makes this one of the most incendiary topics online.

1 Abortion

Abortion stands as perhaps the most polarizing issue of our time. Pro‑life advocates argue that ending a pregnancy equates to taking a life, while pro‑choice supporters contend that criminalizing the procedure infringes on bodily autonomy and personal liberty. Politicians attempt to find middle ground, but every new law or court ruling triggers a fresh wave of fury across the internet. The intensity of feeling on both sides ensures that any mention of the topic instantly ignites a torrent of comments, memes, and heated arguments that show no signs of cooling.

So there you have it—10 topics guaranteed to set off fireworks in any online discussion. Whether you’re looking to spark a debate or simply avoid the heat, knowing these flashpoints can help you navigate the chaotic world of internet discourse.