Jane Fonda pregnancy workout record, Workout book and the workout VHS
What do classic film and a good work out have in common?
Jane Fonda.
In 1982, my mom bought the “Jane Fonda Workout” VHS tape. Twenty-nine years later, my mother and myself are still doing the exercises along with Jane.
Arm circles (palms up, thumbs in) with Jane.
The workout tape isn’t something new to my family’s exercise regiment. When my oldest sister Erin was four-years-old (she is now 31), she would put on her leg warmers, leotard and a belt to look just like Jane. When my mom was pregnant with my 26-year-old sister Andrea, the workouts helped her get her figure back quickly.
When I was little, my sisters and I would put on bathing suits and exercise with mommy. I’ve continued to work out with Jane for prom in high school and have forced myself to do the advanced exercises this summer to lose weight for swimsuit season and job interviews.
The workout has several cardio exercises and helps strengthen abs, legs, arms and butt. The tape includes a 30 minute beginners exercise segment and an hour-long advanced workout (that will kick your butt). It’s probably one of the best work out videos out there.
This particular VHS is in high demand too. It hasn’t been released on DVD yet and is being sold for up to $72 on Amazon and Ebay.
I’ll admit that Jane Fonda isn’t the first people I think of when I hear “classic film.” I consider her one of the “new age” actors. Even her father Henry Fonda scoffed at the method acting she was learning about in acting school, according to her “Private Screenings” interview with Robert Osborne.
But Jane was born into Hollywood royalty and was getting her start in the late 1950s and 1960s. Once you get into “Barbarella”, “Klute” and getting her photo taken while sitting on North Vietnam guns, I start to lose interest.
Due to Jane’s politics, my grandparents were both a little shocked when my mom bought the work out tape. My mother’s father fought in the infantry during the Battle of the Bulge in World War 2, and my father’s dad went to West Point, fought in Korea and retired from the army in 1965.
However, politics aside, Jane Fonda gives an excellent workout!
Below is a sample of her advanced work out:
Several other actors during this time got into the fitness craze. Jane Powell had one called “Fight Back with Fitness” and Esther Williams swam once again in “Swim, Baby, Swim.” I haven’t had a chance to try either of these, but I’ll let everyone know if they work as well as Jane Fonda when I do.
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I love Jane Fonda workouts! Back in the 80s, my mom was a big fan of her Low Impact Aerobics video and I used to have fun doing the exercises along with her when I was a kid. We still have that VHS and I still like to work it into my exercise routine sometimes. Even for low impact aerobics, you still get a darn good workout.
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I’m glad I’m not the only one who still does it! Yeh they aren’t as tiring as Tybo or stuff like that, but they are great work outs!
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I guess those Jane Fonda workouts really work. Who knew?
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Yes they certainly do!
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Hi, JN! Oh, do I remember Jane Fonda workout tapes! They were all the rage (I am likely your Mom’s age) when I was 29. My Mom had one, I had one, and boy could I use it now! The years make it harder and harder to stay fit and lose weight! Plus, I’m a bit lazy, and all my loves, movies, writing, reading, are all stationary!
I’ve been seeing all the comments you are getting on your 1939 post, and I’m so pleased. It was a lot of fun, wasn’t it? I remember that you wondered a bit about doing the topic you picked, but it turned out to be a really popular one — I love your blog!
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Yeh my mom told me how much of a big deal they were! They are really great!
I did have fun in the 1939 blogathon 🙂 I was a little concerned but I worked on it a bit and it seemed to turn out ok. Thanks 🙂
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I have just pulled out the vinyl record on Jane Fonda I am just introducing it to my 14 yr old daughter. I had to purchase a new needle to play it. We are officially starting tomorrow. First thing she said to me this will be easy.
Wait to we get to advance donkey kicks in advance. Ha! Ha!
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Yeh, the beginner’s workout really isn’t that bad but it does get you moving, sweating and in shape!
Oh my gosh those donkey kicks! Haha or the one leg exercise where you have your leg at a 90 degree angle and she says “kick it to the back wall.” That one kills me every time! hahaha
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To me nothing has worked any better than Jane’s advance workout… specially the hardest bit, those donkey kicks and the 90 degree angel kicks!! I have converted the VHS to CD but does any one know if we can bye the DVDs anywhere?
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Those donkey kicks are great! I can def. feel those in my butt lol. We’ve converted the VHS too, I don’t think that one is on DVD yet-though some of the other 80s workout DVDs are
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Pingback: Actress beauty tip #20: Jane Powell exercises « Comet Over Hollywood
why can’t I but Jane Fonda’s VHS exercise tape on e-bay. The Year is 1982.I liked the upper body exercise.
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