Gyms looked quite different 40+ years ago than how they do today. Weight and cardio rooms were often predominantly packed with men and women didn’t have the same presence they do now. That is, until Fonda made these forms of exercise accessible right at home.
Since the workout guru is such an icon—and someone my mom loved to “work out with” in the early '80s while sporting a black leotard, tights, hot pink leg warmers and matching “sweat band”—I was inspired to try Jane Fonda’s '80s aerobics routine for two weeks. Here’s my honest Jane Fonda workout review and how it holds up today.
The original Jane Fonda workout drew inspiration from the celeb’s best-selling book. The program guides at-home fitness enthusiasts through a 30-minute beginners’ session and a 60-minute advanced class. Each session focuses on low-impact aerobic exercises, ballet-inspired stretching and floor movements that fire up the waist, arms, abs, buttocks and legs. (Get ready for exercises like leg lifts and pelvic thrusts that deliver a lactic acid burn!)
Let’s just say, this is a retro fitness trend I was excited to get behind.
The Reality Check: Is Jane Fonda's '80s Workout Hard?
Real talk: Jane Fonda’s workout honestly kicked my butt—and it gives new meaning to “feel the burn.” I was surprised by how challenging it was for an at-home routine.
My usual workouts aren’t focused on aerobics and high-energy cardio; instead, I perform Pilates, brisk walking and leisurely bike rides. I genuinely enjoy moving at my own pace and taking rest breaks when needed, as it makes my overall routine more sustainable. Fonda’s aerobic workout was a major contrast, but in a new and exciting way.
Alexa Mellardo
Related: 85 Best ’80s Trivia Questions and Answers for Your Next Game Night
The Exact Structure: Beginner vs. Advanced Formats
Beginner
Key features include:
AerobicsArm exercisesWaist exercisesAb exercisesLeg and hip exercisesButtocks exercisesCool-downThe class kicks off with some stretching to warm up the muscles. From there, Fonda picks up the pace and moves into exercises like “jogging” while clapping to the beat, jumping jacks, jumping oblique twists, high knees and butt kicks. She then starts to slow the pace with additional stretching before training the waist, abs and more. The flow of high-energy and active recovery continues for the rest of the session.
Alexa Mellardo
Advanced
Cardiovascular segmentArm exercisesWaist exercisesAb exercisesLeg and hip exercisesButtocks exercisesCool-down
Fonda’s advanced aerobic workout is 60 minutes long and was designed for fitness enthusiasts with greater endurance and flexibility. The session addresses the same body parts as the beginner version but features a quicker pace and more challenging moves and stretches, like bouncing downward dog with pedaling feet (tendon stretch) and bouncing lunges.
Since I work from home, finding workouts that mesh well with my schedule and provide an invigorating escape from the daily grind is key. They need to be engaging, effective and sustainable, which is why I loved Fonda’s aerobic workout. It brought the 1982 VHS tape vibes back to life and made me feel incredibly nostalgic about leg warmers, leotards and streaming VHS tapes in my childhood.
Of course, if you’re training for a specific goal or upcoming race, your needs may be more niche. But for me, Fonda’s aerobic routine is the perfect way to get my body moving at home. It makes me feel like I’m getting a solid workout in while still being completely fun.
The Final Verdict: Does the 'Feel the Burn' Method Still Work?
It’s safe to say the “feel the burn” method is still effective today—and it’s clear why Fonda’s workout became a best-selling home video.
I genuinely felt the burn—and results—in my arms, abs, legs and glutes and was more energized to take on each day. This is why Fonda’s aerobics are still a key part of my morning routine.
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Sources:
IMDb. (n.d.). Workout (1982). IMDb.Hence then, the article about i tried jane fonda s 80s aerobic workout for 2 weeks here s how it holds up today was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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