She’s an actress, activist and author, but on top of all that, Jane Fonda is famous for her iconic workout videos.
Even today, the exercise class remains as one of the most popular and best routines out there.
Born to actor Henry Fona and socialite Frances Ford Seymour on 21 December, 1937, the American star made her acting debut in 1960 with the Broadway play, There Was a Little Girl.
In the same year, she appeared in her first movie Tall Story before continuing her Hollywood career with the likes of Period of Adjustment, Barefoot in the Park and They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?
Now 81, she shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon – just last year (2018) she starred alongside Diane Keaton, Candice Bergan and Mary Steenburgen in Book Club.
Alongside her Hollywood acting, Jane’s workout videos are what she’s still so famously known for her. After the success of her 1981 book, Jane Fonda’s Workout Book, the American actress took to the screen to create, Jane Fonda’s Workout Video, which was launched in 1982 and became the highest-selling VHS of all time.
Over the next 13 years, Jane went on to make 21 similar videos, resulting in her collectively selling over a whopping 17 million copies.
Jane’s amazing figure, enthusiastic manner and trend-setting workout outfits, meant the videos were an instant success. It was also perfect for those who didn’t have access to a gym.
In her first video, Jane was 45 and could be seen rocking a striped leotard, violet leggings and leg warmers, while excitedly asking, ‘Are you ready to do the workout?’
Focusing on aerobics, Jane’s regime involved pulsed circles, stretches, ab routines and hip exercises, all that could be done from the comfort of your home. It also offered two complete routines – a 30-minute class for beginners and a longer 50-minute advanced one.
From there, the fitness queen made two dozen more workout videos, on both VHS and DVD. Her most recent, Prime Time, was released in 2010, when she was 72-years-old.
Nowadays, the videos have been remastered for today’s technology and can even be digitally purchased on Amazon Prime.