A round-up of the most ridiculous fitness gadgets in recent memory.

Ab Rocker & Ab Roller:

In a study sponsored by the American Council on Exercise, researchers at San Diego State University ranked 13 of the most common abdominal exercises.

And what did they find?

For one, they discovered that the Ab Rocker was the least effective of all methods tested; actually 80 percent less effective than a good, old-fashioned traditional crunch. Though it promised great results and a less painful exercise option for those with back problems, this exercise equipment is virtually useless. In the same study, statistics found the Ab Roller to be equally effective as a regular crunch but about $150 more expensive.

Ab Lounge:

Somewhere between $100 and $279, you can buy a chair; but this is not just any chair. The Ab Lounge, Ab Lounge Ultra and Ab Lounge Sport are all special recliners offering a comfortable, easy way to attain six-pack abs. Right. While this product offers results no better than regular crunches, the one thing it’s guaranteed to work is your wallet. If you were conned into buying one, there is a bright side: it’s a comfortable addition to your camping gear.

AbTronic Electronic Fitness System:

Who could forget this infomercial phenomenon? Just strap on this belt for a “tingling sensation” that will zap your muscles into shape. Hang out, read or watch TV and it will do all the work. Sound like a dream? Well, it is. AbTronic, along with its fellow electronic stimulation belts Fast Abs and AB Energizer, were all sued by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 2002 for falsely promising six-pack abs with absolutely no exercise necessary. Forced to pay a $5 million settlement and outlawed by the FTC, AbTronic and the like are no longer on the market. Shockingly (pun intended), you can still find similar products such as the more modern Slender Tone.

Ab Circle Pro:

Late night TV watchers may recognize this ab contraption featured by self-proclaimed “Expert Fitness Celebrity” (whatever that means) Jennifer Nicole Lee. By grabbing onto the handle bars and swiveling your legs and torso, the Ab Circle Pro promises the depletion of those pesky love handles as well as toned hips, buns and thighs. For $199, this ab equipment is the equivalent of an adult “Sit and Spin” that will make you sick before it makes you fit.

Ab Flex:

A gadget that looks as though it came straight out of a “Star Wars” movie, identifying how the Abflex works is more than a little confusing. Somehow, by placing the device at one’s stomach and pulling in from the attached wings, the Abflex provides “direct resistance” to your abdominal muscles. Or knocks the wind out of you. The now extinct device guaranteed washboard abs with just three minutes a day; in fact, you could even watch “Battle Star Galactica” while you do it. But the Federal Trade Commission laid the smack down on Abflex in 1997 citing that its advertising was “false or misleading.”

The Gazelle:

Infomercial icon Tony Little’s Gazelle boasts “10 great exercises in one easy workout” with a wide range of available motions. It’s unclear just how swinging your arms and legs furiously like wounded wildlife is supposed to tone you up. Or how it’s equivalent to 10 different exercises. What we do know is that the Gazelle provides little resistance and a very unnatural body motion. In fact, some experts say it may even be more harmful than helpful with the stress it puts on hips, knees, lower back and ankles.

Total Gym:

An “as seen on TV” staple, the Total Gym has been around since the 70s when it was first introduced by fitness stud Chuck Norris. It now boasts more than 30 years of taking up garage space. As many disappointed “Walker, Texas Ranger” fans discovered, this home exercise equipment provides little resistance or variety. Many claim that as a beginner, it may feel like a suitable burn but if you keep at it (like you probably should if you were willing to pay hundreds of dollars for it), the body will adapt and dreams of looking like Chuck Norris are quickly crushed.

Head Harness:

For those who want larger neck and back muscles, the Head Harness actually works. Resembling a medieval torture device more than a piece of fitness equipment, dangling heavy chains and weights from your head is apparently worthwhile resistance exercise. It may not be the most comfortable one you’ll ever find, but let’s be fair: a fit neck doesn’t happen overnight.

Inversion Rack:

If you ever hung from the monkey bars as a child, then you know how this one works. Marketed towards those with back pain, the Inversion Rack not only claims to offer pain relief, but even suggests benefits to the immune system, varicose veins and “sagging organs.” All just by hanging upside down! Who knew? In reality, it’s more likely to cause a rush of blood to the head, increasing blood pressure and headaches. Hung properly, it could double as a pull-up bar...or a netless hockey goal. So if you own one, get creative and don’t let it end up in your attic, collecting dust bunnies.

Aerobic Twisting Stepper:

This little guy combines strength training and cardio all in one tiny, twisting stepper with a few gangly, attached cords. Powered by AAA batteries, exercise has never been so simple, or compact. Pull the resistance cords to tone the upper body while stepping and twisting with the lower body for a complete workout. Well, it may not offer much in the way of working out, but it is pretty cute. There’s something endearing about the Aerobic Twisting Stepper, like it could play a lead role in movies like “The Brave Little Toaster” or “Wall-E.”

Body Dome:

We’ll admit it, the Body Dome does look kind of fun. A $100 inflatable rubber dome with exercise cords on the side, it was deemed an entire body workout in its infomercial hype. Experts at WebMD found that while the Body Dome did have some merits, its functions are pretty limited and the advertisement exaggerated its effectiveness. After being deemed useless by many consumer ratings, this product was eventually discontinued. Nevertheless, it can still be found on e-bay, craigslist, at garage sales and other places where people desperately try to get rid of junk.

Hula Chair:

In the name of the ancient Polynesian dance that takes years of practice and discipline in gain muscle control and body alignment, the Hula Chair intends to make you a toned, sexy hula dancer without ever standing up! Here’s how it works: all you have to do is grab the handles bars, then the Hula Chair vibrates, twists and voila! Abdominal muscles are toned and hips are strengthened, without the pain (other than maybe a little nausea) of working out. A massage and workout all in one, the Hula Chair is even recommended as an office seat. Just don’t drink coffee, type, read, pick up the phone or do anything else you normally would at work.

Back Wave Traction Bench:

Have back pain? Looking to improve posture? Desperate for increased blood flow to the brain? The Back Wave promises to cater to all these needs with its “ultra comfortable spinal cradle.” With a loose interpretation of the word “comfortable,” the Back Wave claims to alleviate pain with the amazing restorative possibilities of gravity. While some of Back Wave’s assertions concerning relieved back pain and stress on the torso may hold some weight, most doctors agree that there are few long-term benefits of upside down exercising, other than increased risk of stroke and blood clotting.

Shake Weight:

This exercise equipment phenomenon was brought to fame by its overtly suggestive advertisement that took the infomercial world by storm. The hilarity that ensued from the frenzy of media attention it received (most notably on the “Ellen Degeneres Show”) may have caused some unintentional abdominal workouts, but other than that the Shake Weight seems to have little merit. With something called “Dynamic Inertia” technology, the Shake Weight supposedly works the arms, shoulders and chest by increasing muscle activity by “300 percent compared to traditional weights.” Considering that regular hand weights are inexpensive, and effective in toning the upper body as well other muscle groups, it may be worth it to avoid the embarrassment of a workout device that causes the body to simply gyrate up and down.

iGallop:

If the iGallop’s commercial has ever graced your television set, you know it looks more like a Madonna music video than an abdominal workout advertisement. The video features scantily-clad cowgirls enjoying a ride on this machine that emulates the movements of horseback riding. It supposedly works by requiring the balance that tones the ab muscles of professional horseback riders. Its exercise capabilities seem doubtful, but for $500 you can hold your very own mechanical bull riding competition!

Thigh Master:

It’s hard to say if the Thigh Master’s popularity throughout the 90s was because of the device’s workout effectiveness or the effectiveness of Suzanne Somer’s winning smile (and legs). Harping on the age-old infomercial myth of “spot reduction,” marketers claimed it was a complete solution to a shapely physique. The Thigh Master does help exercise an often difficult-to-tone part of the body, however, what the company, Somer’s and anyone else endorsing the product fails to mention, is that it must be combined with plenty of aerobic exercise as well as a healthy diet.

Red Exerciser:

The Red Exerciser is basically a barstool...with a twist (literally). The 20-pound, 2-foot tall seat allows you to twist your core, aided by padded handles on each side. The height of gimmickry, this one also claims to hold up to 300 pounds. But, by the look of it, it probably couldn’t bear the weight of a large child. The Red Exerciser will work the abdominal core, but it not surprisingly, also promises an upper body and thigh workout. Most users dispute this claim. Priced up to $175, you’re better off sitting on a chair with a Pilates ring.