The Rise and Fall of Infomercials: Remembering Figure-8 Fitness Frenzy

Infomercials were once all the rage, promising overnight success with their seductive sales pitches and late-night TV airtime. Among these was figure-eight fitness infomeralds like Tony Horton's Power Life, touting a revolutionary new way to get fit at home.

Power Life promised much more than just another exercise program though - it claimed to be part of an entire community dedicated to wellness and health. With its focus on blog posts filled with motivational tips alongside weekly newsletters packed full of discounts and advice, it seemed like the ultimate fitness experience from the comfort of your own living room.

But what about other popular infomercials that promised similar results? Take for instance Dorothy Hamill's endorsement of Smooth Fitness & Health's sitNcycle. This innovative piece of exercise equipment promised a continuous aerobic workout without ever leaving home - all while allowing users to multitask thanks to its hands-free design and eight adjustable resistance levels.

While infomercials like these certainly captured attention back in the day, it remains unclear whether they actually delivered on their promises or if people were just swept up in the excitement of trying something new. Regardless though, one thing is certain - with more focus shifting towards digital fitness platforms and streaming services today than ever before, it's hard not to wonder what happened next for these early pioneers of home workouts.

'Image description: A classic infomercial-style image featuring a fit person doing push-ups in front of an American flag background.

Figure 8 fitness infomercial