The $300 Million Squeeze: How Suzanne Somers' ThighMaster Became An Immortal Fitness Icon

As of late 2025, the legacy of Suzanne Somers and her iconic ThighMaster remains one of the most successful and curious stories in the history of home fitness and direct-response marketing. The simple, V-shaped piece of exercise equipment, which promised to tone inner thighs with just a few squeezes a day, transformed the actress's career from a TV star to a wellness entrepreneur, generating an estimated $300 million in revenue and selling over 15 million units worldwide. The product's enduring popularity is a testament to the power of celebrity endorsement and a perfectly pitched infomercial, a marketing format that the ThighMaster essentially perfected. Even after Somers' passing in October 2023, the brand continues to sell the "Original ThighMaster," proving that the demand for simple, at-home toning solutions is truly timeless. The story is a masterclass in business, proving that a simple invention, coupled with the right spokesperson, can create an immortal brand.

The Life and Legacy of Suzanne Somers (1946–2023)

Suzanne Somers was more than just a television star; she was a pioneering businesswoman who leveraged her celebrity into a massive wellness empire. The ThighMaster was the cornerstone of this transformation, allowing her to take control of her financial destiny after a contentious departure from her most famous role.

• Full Name: Suzanne Marie Mahoney (later Somers)
• Born: October 16, 1946, in San Bruno, California
• Died: October 15, 2023, in Palm Springs, California (Age 76)
• Spouse: Alan Hamel (m. 1977)
• Notable Roles: Carol Foster Lambert on Step by Step (1991–1998), and the iconic Chrissy Snow on Three's Company (1977–1981).
• Entrepreneurial Ventures: ThighMaster, FaceMaster, Somersize diet books, and a line of organic beauty products.
• Net Worth at Death: Estimated at $100 million, largely attributed to her business success with the ThighMaster and related products.

From Fired Actress to Infomercial Queen: The ThighMaster Origin Story

The ThighMaster's creation is a fascinating tale of multiple inventions and a single, brilliant marketing opportunity. While Somers became synonymous with the product, she was not its original inventor.

The Invention and The V-Bar

The concept of a spring-loaded, V-shaped fitness tool dates back to a Swedish physical medicine intern named Anne Marie Bennstrom, who originally developed it as a physical therapy device called the "V-Bar."

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In the United States, the device was later marketed as the "V-Toner" by Joshua Reynolds, an heir to the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, who initially saw it as a full-body toning tool.

However, the product languished in obscurity until a group of investors approached Somers and her husband, Alan Hamel, with the idea of a celebrity endorsement. This was the turning point that would launch the product into the stratosphere of pop culture.

The $300 Million Pivot

Somers was famously fired from the hit show Three's Company in 1981 after demanding equal pay with her male co-star. This professional setback was devastating, but it laid the groundwork for her entrepreneurial success.

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She and Hamel saw the potential in the simple exercise equipment. They focused the marketing entirely on a key consumer desire: toning the inner and outer thighs, an area notoriously difficult to target with traditional exercise.

The resulting infomercial, which premiered around 1991, was a masterpiece of direct-response marketing. Somers’ warm, relatable, and glamorous pitch—often featuring the iconic line, "It's so easy!"—made the ThighMaster feel like a secret weapon for achieving "great legs."

The simplicity of the device, which you could use while watching TV, was its greatest selling point. It tapped into the burgeoning home fitness market of the 1990s and became one of the most successful infomercials in history, selling over 15 million units and generating close to $300 million in sales for Somers and her partners.

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The Enduring Relevance of the ThighMaster in 2025

Despite the explosion of high-tech fitness gadgets, virtual reality workouts, and sophisticated home gyms, the ThighMaster remains a relevant piece of fitness equipment, both as a piece of nostalgia and a functional tool.

The Post-Somers Business and Brand Continuity

Following Suzanne Somers' death in October 2023, her family and estate have continued to manage her businesses, including the ThighMaster brand. The "Original ThighMaster" is still available for purchase on the official Suzanne Somers website, catering to both loyal fans and a new generation seeking simple, low-impact exercise solutions.

The enduring appeal lies in its straightforward mechanism: a spring-loaded resistance device that allows for isotonic and isometric exercises. It effectively targets the adductor muscles (inner thighs) and can also be used for chest presses to tone the pectoral muscles and for arm work.

Modern Adaptations and The Pelvic Floor Connection

The generic concept of the ThighMaster has not only survived but evolved. As of 2025, search results show numerous "Upgraded Thigh Master" products from third-party sellers on major e-commerce platforms.

These modern versions often feature adjustable resistance levels and are now frequently marketed with a more comprehensive focus, including the strengthening of the pelvic floor muscles (Kegel exercises).

This new marketing angle connects the simple 1990s gadget to a critical modern wellness topic, proving that the ThighMaster's core design—a resistance tool squeezed between the legs—is adaptable to contemporary health concerns.

A Symbol of Entrepreneurial Spirit

More than just an exercise product, the ThighMaster is now a cultural entity representing the success of the American entrepreneur. It is a powerful reminder of how Somers turned a professional crisis into a financial triumph, demonstrating that an innovative marketing approach can turn a simple, inexpensive product into a multi-million-dollar empire.

The ThighMaster's story is a blueprint for the modern influencer and celebrity brand, proving that authenticity, a clear message, and a product that addresses a specific consumer pain point can create a lasting, profitable legacy that transcends generations.

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