By Kate Webber

Today in History

Topic: Exercise and Fitness

Jane Fonda made over 20 workout videos, starting in 1982.

Now, it's easy to find a place to exercise, like gyms or online videos.

But over 40 years ago, the fitness industry was just starting, and celebrities like Arnold Schwarzenegger were making money from it.

Jane Fonda was a key figure in this growth with her first aerobics video in 1982.

Her video became the best-selling VHS in history, selling 850,000 copies in three years.

Bill Hayes, author of Sweat: A History of Exercise, says Fonda is important in exercise history.

Fonda made exercise available to everyone, especially women, by making it affordable and fun.

All you needed was a videotape, which was cheap, to exercise at home.

You could exercise at home without hiring a babysitter, and Fonda's videos made exercise seem fun.

Fonda had a huge influence on exercise and was one of the most important figures in its history.

Bill Hayes wrote Sweat: A History of Exercise.

Building a fitness empire

Fonda made over 20 workout videos and wrote books, all of which sold well.

Her videos helped young mothers and women who felt self-conscious about going to the gym.

Fonda's videos made a huge difference for women.

Before, women weren't supposed to have muscles.

Fonda's workout changed how women exercised and helped them develop muscles.

Fitness has been important to Jane Fonda for decades.

Before Fonda's video, women's workout options were limited.

Fonda's video changed the fitness industry.

How it all began

Fonda's first workout video was made for a political reason.

Fonda was married to Tom Hayden, a political activist.

They wanted to fund a political action committee.

Fonda released her first workout video in 1982.

Fonda started taking aerobics classes and opened her own studio.

Someone asked her to make a video, but she initially said no.

Fonda was a gifted teacher and could explain exercises well.

Her videos were revolutionary and diverse.

The people in her videos were diverse, which was new at the time.

Videos still relevant today

Fonda's workout videos were solid, sensible, and well-structured.

She used music and dance in her workouts.

Fonda's videos have not become outdated, except for the fashion.

Jane Fonda still exercises every day.

Now 88, Fonda's fitness routine has remained the same, but slower.

Fonda has worked with a virtual reality fitness platform.

She has produced four classes and says it feels like no time has passed.

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