Legwarmers, Leotards, and Legacies: Jane Fonda's Fitness Revolution

Welcome back to the Daily Dumbbell, we had 99 problems but thanks to rampant inflation it’s more like 106. Which is actually, like, a shit ton of problems. So if anybody wants to help that would be great.

Last Friday we profiled the life and times of the patron saint of fitness and the namesake of our mascot, Jack La-Llama

This week we want to pledge allegiance to another forward thinker in the space.

Let’s dive in!

Feature:
Legwarmers, Leotards, & Legacies:
The Home Workout Revolution

Today we’re highlighting the life and times of a true Hollywood star. A true icon who not only conquered the silver screen but who left an everlasting mark on the health and fitness scene.

No Arnold! Wait your turn! Damn.

This icon isn’t your normal Hollywood Starlet, my friends. This woman is a force to be reckoned with—a woman who took the world by storm, breaking stereotypes, empowering women and redefining the way we think about exercise along the way.

So dust off your VHS workout tapes and pull on your turquoise leg warmers because today we’re diving deep into the 1980s fitness scene and shining a spotlight on the one and only Jane Fonda.

Before stepping into her fitness mogul era, Jane was already a recognized figure in Hollywood. Making a name for herself in films like "Barbarella" and "Klute.” Which we’re pretty sure is a completely made up name, but we’re being told she won an Oscar for it?

Unlike most of the fitness influencers of today, Jane’s journey into the world of fitness was not driven solely by fame or fortune. The motivation ran much deeper.

Born in 1937 into a prominent acting family, Jane battled eating disorders throughout her early life. A chance meeting with Leni Cazden, a dance and exercise instructor, changed Fonda's perception of fitness. She began to see it not only as a method for maintaining her Hollywood figure, but also as an empowering tool that promotes self-esteem and mental wellbeing.

Inspired by her newfound perspective, she opened a fitness studio in 1981 with Cazden in Beverly Hills called 'Workout'. The name reiterating how she came from a family of creatives.

Fast forward 12 months. The year is 1982: 

• Prince William was born as a grown, balding man.

• Ozzy Osborne ate a live bat on stage at a concert.

• David Letterman hosted his first show with guest Bill Murray.

But then, catastrophe: The Doobie Brothers split up.

Just as it seemed all was lost, a phoenix rose from the ashes. Jane Fonda released her first workout video and the world changed forever.

Her high-energy aerobic workouts, coupled with her charismatic presence and infectious enthusiasm, quickly caught on. Despite the insane $59.99 price tag, the tape became a sensation, selling millions of copies.

It also sparked a fitness revolution, paving the way for home workout videos and, eventually, today's digital fitness platforms.

Selling a million copies of a fitness tape will leave your mark on the industry, but that alone doesn’t get you a feature in The Daily Dumbbell. If that’s all it took Jillama Michaels might be our mascot!

Sadly, you have to have a positive impact to qualify 🤷 

By The Numbers: Jane’s first workout video topped Billboard’s Video Chart for 41 weeks and spent another 75 weeks at number 2. Incredibly, a big reason it didn’t stay at #1 was because her movie “On Golden Pond” took the top spot for 16 of those.

But her impact on the fitness industry extended beyond making people sweat & producers rich. Her exercise programs were intentionally inclusive, designed to reach people of different fitness levels and ages.

She also emphasized the importance of mind-body connection in wellness, a concept far ahead of its time in the 80s.

Moreover, Fonda used her platform to advocate for body positivity and health over superficial beauty standards. This was especially impactful in a society often focused on the aesthetics of fitness rather than its health benefits.

Glad to see we listened to her and fixed that. 🙄 

Today, Fonda's influence on fitness continues to be felt. She's been an advocate for healthy aging, proving that fitness isn't just for the young.

Even in her 80s, she promotes an active lifestyle and continues to perform her at home workout routine every morning. A true icon.

Jane understood that exercise was about more than just physical well-being; it was a vehicle for self-confidence, self-expression, and personal transformation. Through her workouts, she gave people the tools to not only sculpt their bodies but also to strengthen their minds and spirits.

More than that, Jane showed us that exercise can be a pathway to empowerment and a catalyst for positive change. And for that, we thank her.

Friday Finds

Shot & Chaser:

I wonder why people don’t like vegans. Maybe because veggies are gross?

“SHRILL VEGAN SCREECH”

I guess we’ll never know.

Thats it for today folks! Like the cool teacher from grade school, we don’t believe in homework over the weekend.

Have a happy Friday and we’ll see you back here Monday!