If you’re on the hunt for a fun at-home workout that won’t feel monotonous and love a retro, cheerful host happily pep-talking you through some dance moves, you might be thrilled to find that you can access the best of VHS/DVD-era fitness videos for free online. While yeah, these actually are your mama’s kitsch experience, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the blast from the past.
To be clear, there’s a lot of framing in older workout videos that makes a 2021 body positive brain cringe. The focus on fitness through the lens of “sweat off pounds, weight loss is a priority” diet culture nonsense talk instead of about what makes you feel good can be super not great for people who are trying to have a healthy, positive relationship with fitness. So we can’t encourage you to take these retro, kitschy videos at face value or to internalize any of the messaging unless you can compartmentalize it as “just for fun.”
We can say, though, that if you’re in the mood for a blast from the past, some ridiculous workout gear and some upbeat, dance-y cardio-friendly routines that you can do while at home, you should check out a few of the below (including some DVD options if you love ’em enough to want to keep them forever).
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Richard Simmons Sweatin’ to the Oldies
Jane Fonda Walking Cardio Workout
Cher Fitness Hot Dance
Cindy Crawford ‘Shape Your Body’
Alyssa Milano’s Teen Steam Workout
Looking to build out a home gym without wrecking your wallet? Check out our favorite affordable workout gear:
