On April 24, 1982, Jane Fonda released her first exercise video, titled Jane Fonda’s Workout, inspired by her best-selling book, Jane Fonda’s Workout Book. The workout video eventually sold 17 million copies, more than any other home video.
Before becoming a fitness guru, Jane Fonda was already Hollywood royalty and an actress with two Academy Awards. However, she was also a former ballet enthusiast who began practicing aerobics with her partner, Leni Cazden.
Following the success of her 1981 bestseller, Jane Fonda’s Workout Book, which was at the top of the nonfiction charts for over than six months. Fonda entered the home-video market at 45 years old, she brought her high-energy aerobic mix of ballet, dance, and endurance training directly into people’s living rooms. For the first time, fitness was accessible to everyone, anywhere, at any time.
This era also witnessed a massive fashion revolution. Because of Fonda’s influence, neon spandex, leotards, headbands, and her iconic leg warmers became the unofficial uniform for health-conscious women, and suddenly, street style meant looking like you were headed to an aerobics class.
While Fonda is often credited with popularizing aerobics, the concept actually has scientific roots. The term was coined by Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper, a flight surgeon who researched how to improve physical performance through oxygen-based exercise. While Cooper provided the science, Fonda provided the spark that made it a household staple.
Fonda used the proceeds from her videos to fund the Campaign for Economic Democracy, a political organization founded by her then-husband, Tom Hayden.
By encouraging women to feel physically stronger, Fonda helped them gain a new sense of confidence. Though she later faced criticism for the skinny body ideal she helped shape, and she has been open about her own 30-year struggle with bulimia, her contribution to health awareness is undeniable.
Image Credit: Ted Eytan/ Wikimedia Commons
Today, at 88, Jane Fonda remains active in both fitness and activism. She released Ultimate Workouts specifically for seniors, proving that her mission to keep the world moving is still alive and active.
In 2017, she joined protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline. Then, in 2019, she started “Fire Drill Fridays,” a regular event to teach people about the dangers of climate change. Fonda’s son said in a documentary about his mother’s activism, “She won’t stop. She’s on a mission. This intent to do well keeps her demons at bay.”
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