Jane Fonda and Me, Working Out Together for Over 30 Years

Ever since I bought Jane Fonda’s Workout Book in 1982, Jane and I have been working out together.  Get those knees up, Diane, she would say, you have to feel the burn. Don’t be afraid to put some real effort into it.

Other people have bought her book, I’m sure, but may have found that doing push ups while turning the pages a bit difficult, so they likely gave up and went to a gym, or joined a walking group. But not me, oh no, I loved working out with her so much that I seriously strained a shoulder muscle once, twisting around to hold a page in place while I did a deep knee bend.

Later on, once she came out with her first video, Jane Fonda’s New Workout, we continued working out together, this time, to the rhythmic thumping of 1980s music—her group in their Hollywood studio, and I in my front room. I had an an ocean view at the time, and warmed up while watching the oil tankers ply the waters of the Georgia Straight. A little colder than California, I know, but what the heck.

Her book, selling 17 million copies, was a hit, but it was the VHS tape that really made an impact. When Jane Fonda released her video, gyms were populated by men primarily, and it was difficult for women to do a routine in public, without feeling they were on display. For millions of women, working out to a tape was a practical solution. Women found the upbeat music motivational, and Fonda’s visual example and breathless instructions easy to follow. It wasn’t only the workout, of course. I’m sure her followers were all hoping to become as slim and attractive as she was, which was hard to do without her fame, her fortune, and her genes. But what made the difference in our lives was something else—it was the promise of physical strength, something we could all reach for.

There’s no doubt that strength was the element that attracted me. To this day, I do her strength building exercise, adding weights, of course, which she encouraged in later tapes.

Whenever I see her now, doing a Ted talk, or being interviewed on a late night show, there she is, in perfect shape, telling people how simple it is. If she can do it, I can too, I always thought, and to some extent, I guess I have succeeded. She is an excellent teacher.

Recently, I saw her on the cover of Vogue, thanks to blogging friend Lynne Spreen, who sent me a link to the magazine. Janet Siroto reports on the Vogue piece in an April, 2019 article for the blog, Next Tribe, Viva Vogue: Wait Till You See Their Latest 81-Year-Old Cover “Girl”

Jane Fonda has lived long enough and remained healthy enough to be somewhat of an icon in the physical fitness world. That’s not surprising, given the head start she received as the daughter of famed actor Henry Fonda, and the subsequent success of her own movie career.  But lately, Jane is being acknowledged for something more in her mix of achievements—wisdom. In her article for Vogue, Siroto focused on her inspirational ideas about growing older. Here are a few of her quotes:

“I like being over the hill because I’ve discovered there’s a whole new landscape,”

“I’m fond of age. I’m glad I’ve lived this long.”

“It’s important to understand that older women are the fastest-growing demographic in the whole world. It’s time to recognize our value.”

Siroto reports that the reaction on social media has been very positive, and ends with this zinger:

“A wonderful reaction … but won’t it be nice when one day (soon hopefully) seeing women of Jane’s age will be a, wait for it, non-issue?”

It’s a long time coming, and don’t hold your breath, but it’s a start!