Late-night infomercials have been selling dreams and gimmicks for decades. From fitness machines promising chiseled abs with no effort to miracle pills that claimed to melt fat overnight, these commercials were designed to hook sleep-deprived viewers into spending big money on products that sounded too good to be true. The bright lights, over-the-top testimonials, and dramatic “before and after” transformations made these items seem life-changing, but reality often proved otherwise. From electrified beauty masks to bizarre fitness contraptions, here’s a look at some of the most outrageous and expensive health products ever sold on late-night TV—and why they were a waste of money.
1. The Rejuvenique Electric Facial Mask – $400
Marketed as a way to tone facial muscles and reduce wrinkles, the Rejuvenique mask looked more like something out of a horror movie than a beauty device. This metal-plated mask sent mild electrical shocks into the face, claiming to stimulate facial muscles and tighten skin. The infomercial featured excited testimonials from users who swore their faces looked younger and more sculpted after just a few sessions.
However, the only thing users felt was discomfort and regret. Instead of a facelift, many experienced painful muscle spasms, headaches, and tingling sensations that did nothing for their skin. At $400, buyers paid for the thrill of electrocuting their faces, but with zero real results. According to the Tampa Bay Times, the FDA raised concerns about the Rejuvenique, stating there were no studies to prove its effectiveness. If this device had worked, plastic surgeons would have been out of business—but instead, it became a costly, terrifying mistake.
2. The Sauna Pants – $200
The infomercial for Sauna Pants promised the ultimate weight loss solution—a pair of thick, heated shorts that wrapped around the waist and thighs, supposedly mimicking the effects of a sauna. The claim was that by sweating profusely, you’d shed water weight, burn calories, and detoxify your body—all while lounging on your couch. Late-night commercials showed people smiling and relaxing while wrapped in what looked like inflatable orange prison pants.
In reality, all it did was dehydrate users, leading to temporary weight loss that disappeared as soon as they drank water. Worse, some users reported overheating, burns, and dizziness from the intense heat. At $200, it was nothing more than an overpriced personal oven, proving that sweating doesn’t equal fat loss—only dehydration. According to WebMD, while sauna suits can lead to temporary weight loss due to water loss, they do not provide sustainable fat reduction. Proper hydration and a balanced diet are crucial when using such products to avoid health risks.
3. The Free Flexor – $99
Designed for building bigger, stronger arms in record time, the Free Flexor was a gyrating dumbbell that required users to shake it back and forth. The infomercial featured ultra-serious men in slow motion, claiming it engaged more muscles than traditional weights. The company insisted that this bizarre shaking movement would activate deep muscle fibers and speed up muscle growth. In reality, the awkward motion made users look ridiculous, and no real fitness expert took it seriously.
Free weights, resistance bands, and bodyweight exercises were all far more effective. At nearly $100, this gadget was one of the most embarrassing and impractical fitness products ever sold on TV, proving that real muscle gains require effort—not gimmicks. For effective arm exercises, consider consulting resources like the American Council on Exercise, which guides proper strength training techniques.
4. The Hawaii Chair – $350
The Hawaii Chair promised to mimic the motion of hula dancing, allowing users to burn calories effortlessly while seated. The commercial showed office workers trying to type, answer phones, and drink coffee while being violently shaken by the chair’s built-in motor. Advertisers claimed that this wild core workout could sculpt abs, improve balance, and burn fat. The reality?
Users couldn’t do anything while sitting in the chair because of how uncontrollable and distracting the movement was. While it technically engaged the core, it was completely impractical. At $350, it became an expensive office prank rather than a serious fitness product. For effective core exercises, consider consulting resources like the Mayo Clinic, which guides exercises that improve core strength and stability. These exercises are practical and can be done without gimmicky devices, focusing on real strength and functionality.
5. Q-Ray Ionized Bracelet – $200
This metal bracelet was marketed as a cure for chronic pain, arthritis, and low energy levels, thanks to its so-called “ionized” technology. Infomercials claimed it could restore the body’s natural balance, improve circulation, and eliminate stress-related discomfort. Some testimonials even suggested that it worked better than modern medicine.
However scientific studies found zero evidence that the Q-Ray Bracelet did anything at all. The FDA fined the company for making false health claims, but by then, it had raked in millions from desperate buyers. At $200 per bracelet, it was one of the most successful placebo-effect scams in infomercial history.
6. The VibraShape – $500
The VibraShape was a strap that wrapped around the waist and violently shook the user’s stomach, thighs, or arms. Infomercials promised that this jiggling motion would melt fat, tone muscles, and replace exercise altogether. The company claimed that standing still while being rattled was the key to weight loss.
In reality, shaking fat does nothing to burn calories. This was nothing more than a modern version of the 1950s “fat-jiggling belts” that had already been proven useless. At $500, it was a total rip-off, leaving buyers feeling like they had just stood in a minor earthquake for no reason.
7. The Shake Weight – $99
Perhaps the most infamous fitness infomercial product ever, the Shake Weight promised quick arm toning using a spring-loaded dumbbell that had to be rhythmically shaken up and down. The commercials featured enthusiastic users grinning while shaking the device in highly suggestive ways.
Fitness experts mocked its inefficiency, pointing out that actual strength training was far superior. Yet, despite its embarrassing reputation, the Shake Weight became one of the best-selling workout gadgets of all time. At $99, it was nothing more than a viral joke that people paid for.
8. The Gazelle Edge – $300
Marketed by fitness personality Tony Little, the Gazelle Edge was a gliding cardio machine that allowed users to swing their legs back and forth. The commercials showed Tony enthusiastically pumping his arms while claiming the Gazelle provided a full-body, fat-burning workout.
However, many users found it too easy, with little to no resistance to build muscle or burn serious calories. While it was low-impact, it wasn’t effective for real strength or endurance training. At $300, it became a bulky space-waster that didn’t live up to the hype.
9. The Tonya Harding Triple Axel Skating Trainer – $300
After her infamous Olympic controversy, Tonya Harding decided to capitalize on her name by launching an infomercial fitness product—the Triple Axel Skating Trainer. This device promised to give users lean, toned legs by mimicking the movements of ice skating, all from the comfort of their own homes. The infomercial showcased enthusiastic users gliding back and forth on a plastic platform, claiming that the resistance would sculpt and strengthen their lower body.
The problem? It didn’t replicate ice skating. The stiff plastic platform lacked the fluid motion of real skating, making the experience awkward and unnatural. Many users complained that it felt clunky, provided little resistance, and ultimately didn’t deliver a real workout. At $300, buyers got a bulky, overpriced gimmick that quickly ended up collecting dust in garages and basements. If real skaters needed actual ice rinks and training, it was naive to think a plastic slide would do the trick.
10. The FaceTrainer – $200
The FaceTrainer was one of the most ridiculous beauty gadgets ever sold on late-night TV. Marketed as a fitness device for your face, this tight, full-head mask claimed to reduce wrinkles and tone facial muscles through repetitive facial exercises. The idea was that wearing the mask and making exaggerated expressions would create a more youthful, sculpted face. Infomercials featured people smiling, frowning, and stretching their faces while looking like they had been wrapped in compression gear.
However, experts quickly debunked the science behind it. Facial wrinkles aren’t caused by weak muscles—they develop due to aging, collagen loss, and sun exposure. Training facial muscles like biceps won’t magically smooth out lines, and in some cases, repetitive facial movements could make wrinkles worse. Yet, the FaceTrainer still managed to sell for $200, convincing desperate buyers that looking ridiculous for 10 minutes a day was the key to reversing aging. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
For decades, infomercials have convinced millions of people to buy overpriced, ineffective health products based on bold claims and questionable science. Some became pop-culture phenomena, while others faded into late-night obscurity. The lesson? If a product promises effortless weight loss, instant muscle growth, or miracle health benefits—it’s probably a scam. Real fitness and health require effort, proper.
