80s Fitness Instructors: The Icons, The Style, The Workouts!
The 1980s was the era of neon, big hair, and leg warmers, but it was also the time of the rise of fitness culture. Fitness enthusiasts had their eyes glued to the TV screens for workout sessions that were led by some of the most iconic fitness instructors of all time. From Jane Fonda’s leg lifts to Richard Simmons’ energetic aerobics, let’s delve into the golden age of fitness.
The Fitness Icons
Fitness instructors didn’t just gain popularity for their workout routines, but also for their style and charisma. The 80s was home to some of the most legendary figures in the fitness world. Jane Fonda was the queen of aerobics, with her colorful leotards and high-intensity workouts that left viewers sweating. Richard Simmons, with his outrageous fashion sense, brought energy and excitement to every workout routine.
A lot of people were introduced to fitness through these iconic personalities. They had devoted followers and created their fitness empires, ranging from workout tapes to merchandising. But their influence transcended television screens. They helped create a culture that embraced fitness as a vital aspect of everyday life.
The Style
In the 80s, fitness style was all about bold colors, spandex, and neon. Aerobic outfits featured high-cut leotards, leg warmers, and headbands. Men also embraced the trend with bright tank tops and shorts, accessorized with sweatbands and wristbands. The outfits did more than just look good; they also reflected the intensity of the workout.
The fashion also evolved to include denim-wear, tracksuits, and trainers – clothing that combined comfort and style. This created an industry of fitness fashion, where sporting brands now also design leggings, cropped tops, etc., designed for workouts.
The Workouts
The 80s was a transformative era in the fitness industry, with various trends and routines emerging, including Jazzercise, Tae Bo, and Step Aerobics.
Jane Fonda’s Aerobics became a fitness phenomenon; her innovative approach relied on the body to work out while creating a cardiovascular system that makes the heart and lungs work harder, making it an effective and accessible workout plan. The creation of Step Aerobics involved alternating stepping patterns to music, leading to the burning of calories similar to a high-intensity work-out. Billy Blank’s Tae Bo was a combination of kickboxing that became popular with fans of his hardcore workout sessions.
The workouts were designed to be high-intensity, with routines lasting from 20 minutes to an hour. These workouts inspired an entire generation to embrace a new fitness culture, with gyms emerging all over the country.
Conclusion
The 80s fitness culture was not just a workout regime but a way of life. The cultural revolution brought a new approach to health and fitness, which has lasted for decades. Icons like Jane Fonda and Richard Simmons inspired generations to embrace an active lifestyle, and fashion trends from the era continue to influence activewear today. The era laid the foundation for the fitness industry as a whole, and we can’t help but look back with fond memories of the neon-clad fitness icons that sparked cultural change.
