15 ’80s Home Workout Trends That Have Vanished
These vanished trends show just how much sweat, style, and invention filled the average living room in the '80s.
- Alyana Aguja
- 5 min read
The 1980s were a golden age for home fitness, when television, vinyl, and VHS collided with neon-colored ambition. From iconic instructors to quirky gadgets, people turned bedrooms and basements into full-blown workout studios. Though most of these trends have disappeared, they laid the groundwork for today’s digital fitness revolution.
1. Jane Fonda Workout Tapes
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Jane Fonda didn’t just popularize home workouts — she practically built the genre. Her brightly colored leotards, encouraging voice, and non-stop aerobics defined an entire fitness era. While streaming apps have taken over, Fonda’s VHS legacy still echoes in any upbeat cardio session.
2. ThighMaster Craze
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Endorsed by Suzanne Somers, the ThighMaster promised toned thighs with just a squeeze. It was simple, portable, and often found wedged between couch cushions when not in use. Though it had some effectiveness, modern fitness science prefers more compound, full-body movements.
3. Buns of Steel
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This tape focused intensely on glute workouts and had an almost cult following. Led by instructors like Greg Smithey, the routines involved relentless squats, leg lifts, and pelvic tilts. The promise of sculpted buns kept people lunging in their living rooms with sweatbands on.
4. Step Aerobics Platforms
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Plastic platforms with stackable risers were all the rage, letting people step up, down, and all around to a relentless beat. Instructors barked out choreography like drill sergeants in pastel spandex. Though still used in gyms, their heyday as a living room staple has passed.
5. Richard Simmons’ Sweatin’ to the Oldies
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Richard Simmons brought boundless energy, sequined tank tops, and infectious positivity to the world of at-home cardio. His routines combined basic aerobics with nostalgic hits, making workouts feel more like a party than a chore. The mix of fun and fitness was a lifeline for many but faded with changing trends.
6. Workout Records (Vinyl LPs)
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Before VHS fully took over, some workouts came on vinyl records with fold-out posters to show you the moves. It was up to you to follow along, listening carefully as a disembodied voice guided your squats and crunches. The idea seems charming now, but it quickly lost out to visual instruction.
7. Vibrating Belt Machines
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A holdover from earlier decades, these machines had a belt you’d strap around your waist while it jiggled fat away — or so they claimed. In the ’80s, they made a brief home comeback in retro-themed workout rooms. Unsurprisingly, they disappeared once people realized shaking your midsection doesn’t melt fat.
8. Jazzercise at Home
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Originally created in the late ’60s, Jazzercise found its stride in the ’80s with tapes and home kits. Combining jazz dance, resistance training, and aerobics, it was a full-body workout with sparkle. The brand still exists, but the home version in its original neon glory has faded out.
9. Leotards and Tights as Standard Workout Gear
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Form-fitting, shiny, and always brightly colored, leotards were the uniform of choice for ’80s home workouts. Often layered over tights and paired with leg warmers, they made every living room look like a dance studio. Functional or not, the fashion was as much a part of the workout as the sweat itself.
10. Chair Exercises for Seniors on Public Access TV
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In the ’80s, public access TV channels often aired low-impact workouts tailored for older adults, featuring slow-paced movements using just a chair. Hosted by calm-voiced instructors, these shows helped seniors stay mobile without leaving the house. Today, these have moved to YouTube or been replaced by apps with broader appeal.
11. Ab Rollers with Neck Supports
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These odd-looking contraptions promised safe and effective crunches without neck strain. You’d lie on the floor, grip the bar over your head, and rock your way to a six-pack — or so the ads claimed. While some still use modern versions, their early models have mostly gathered dust.
12. Aerobic Dance Tapes with Celebrity Hosts
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Celebrities like Raquel Welch and Heather Locklear put their names on home workout tapes that mixed dance and fitness. These weren’t always based on scientific training but were fueled by charisma and glossy covers. Once the novelty wore off, most of these tapes ended up in garage sales.
13. Home Mini-Trampolines (Rebounders)
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Jumping on a mini-trampoline in your living room felt like play but promised calorie burn and cardio benefits. These low-impact workouts became a trend for suburban moms and fitness enthusiasts alike. They’re still around but have lost the spotlight in the sea of modern gadgets.
14. Leg Warmers as Fitness Necessities
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Originally worn by dancers to keep muscles warm, leg warmers became synonymous with ’80s workouts. People wore them even if their entire workout was on the carpet in a 75-degree room. Today, they’re more costume than function — reserved for themed parties, not Pilates.
15. “Personalized” Workout Charts from Magazines
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Fitness magazines often printed pullout charts showing routines tailored for body types or goals. Readers cut them out and taped them to walls or fridges, checking off each rep with a pencil. Before smartwatches tracked our every move, this was as personalized as home fitness got.