Jane Fonda's Low Impact Workout

Jane, Jane, Jane.What more can I say? This is my favorite workout video of all time. We've had it in my house since the mid-80s when it came out on VHS. Growing up, other than Mickey's Mousercise, this was the only workout I wanted to do as a kid, and as I got older and dropped Mickey entirely, Jane stuck around. Even when I really began actively hating exercise, I would find 51 minutes to work out with Jane on this Low Impact Workout.With the transition away from VHS to DVD, I had to abandon Jane, but I never, ever forgot her. Over the years, I periodically looked for this workout on DVD only to find a tight-knit community of Jane's die-hard fans who were practically begging for this to be reincarnated. Finally, in January, my husband and I committed to getting fit for our son and ourselves, and I began buying a handful of different DVDs that might spark a fire in me to exercise. I fell in love with Jessica Smith (also on Amazon), and in doing all of her walking workouts (which I love, love, love and highly recommend), I noticed something--part of the reason I love her so much is because she incorporates many of Jane's moves in her DVDs. I'm telling you, she must have done this workout as a kid because some of the moves are identical, and I've only ever seen them in Jane's Low Impact workout. So I initiated another search for this DVD, and lo and behold, it's back and better than ever!Let me tell you why I think this is the most fun workout of all time. First of all, this is the only workout video I've ever done with a "story". What I mean is that there's kind of a plot. Weird and silly, I know, but a random, everyday kind of dork wanders into her studio moments before they begin filming, and he has to do the workout with him. He adds some comic relief to the workout, which reminds you to have fun while he also serves as a "novice" to make new exercisers feel not so out of their depth. He's inappropriate (crowing and clapping and going the wrong direction) and he's dressed like a goon, and it's all terribly fun. Just wait until the end of the credits for a really cute and apropos wrap-up to the story. I seriously love it, and my 28 year old coworker who does it with me (I'm 33) was dying from laughing with me.More seriously, Jane's sincerity and enthusiasm is infectious! She is, to this day and many instructors later, one of the absolute pinnacles for teaching form and thought during workouts. She constantly reminds you how to stand, what muscles to hold, how to breathe, and what not to do. She's always telling you to check your breathing or stand tall or pull in those abs. Plain and simple, I trust her with my health, even from back in the 80s when exercise in a more modern and educational form was just a fledgling thing. It's amazing doing this in 2016 to see how dead-on she still is about so much stuff.The 80s. Yes, that is a feature of this DVD. The outfits are killer; I'm dying for a pair of leg warmers now! How we ever thought these things looked good is beyond me, but it's part of what makes it a classic now. The music is awesome, and it changes constantly, everything from a club beat, to country, to adult contemporary. It's easy to workout to, and Jane choreographs to it brilliantly. Sure, it's dated, too, but, man, do I love it. Brings back great memories while I'm struggling through a set.The workout itself is great. It's 50 minutes long, but time flies by. Think basic low impact cardio--one foot on the floor at all times, no jumping, lots of arm and leg coordination and movement, and would be ideal for those exercisers who are maybe jumping back into exerciser a little later on in their lives. It's joint friendly and not terribly complicated, but it can be pretty fast at times, so you may want to work up to it using shorter videos. If you do this workout thoughtfully--meaning you think about the muscles you're using as you're using them--you will get a killer workout. Is it HIIT or P90X? No. Do I want it to be? No way. I want to sweat but not die, and Jane's a master at that. She moves up and down with the tempo and repeats a lot of movements with variations, like grapevines and cha-chas, marching and kicking, so don't worry if you miss them the first time because they'll probably be back again for you to master. There's a nice long warm up and cool down with some typical stretches like calf and thigh stretches, shoulder and back stretches, and some you'll pretty much only see with Jane. The cool down has a little light floor work that does not necessarily require a mat (they don't use them in the video) and involves hugging yourself, which I have loved since I was little because it's important to love yourself even as you struggle to get and stay fit (Jane loves for you to feel good about yourself).I'm telling you I've done this workout so many times in 25+ years that I never forgot many of the moves or music even after years of absence from it, and I still sweat buckets when I'm doing it right. I'm only a beginner/borderline intermediate exerciser at this point in my life, but it's easy to scale up with Jane. You can follow her modifiers who amp their workout up with ankle and wrist weights and more aggressive movements if you want a more compelling workout, but for now, I'm content to cruise with Jane.Fun fact about the DVD: there's an intro by present-day Jane herself explaining some of the benefits of exercise and this workout itself. She still looks bangin'!Bottom line: Could you do this workout everyday and get a tremendous bod? Probably not. It's not a whole exercise regimen and the body needs variety, but it could (and I think should) be a part of one that includes strength training, yoga/pilates, barre, and cardio (which this is). I made a convert of my youngblood coworker (who's in much better shape than I am but still worked up a great sweat), and I reaffirmed my lifelong love of it. I may even dip into the archives for other Jane DVDs, but nothing will ever hold sway over me like this classic gem.

I've had this DVD workout for about 6 months now and I have a few of Jane's other DVD workouts, but this one is my favorite. What I love about it is that it's low impact and not a lot of jumpy and quick movements, but you definitely work up a good sweat and get your heart pumping. The video is about 40 minutes long, each song and routine is about 5 minutes. The music is upbeat and you get so into it and getting all the movements that the whole workout goes by quickly. It doesn't feel like a chore to do. I love the stretching before and after, you can really feel the stretches. I've increased my flexibility and endurance a lot by doing this workout.Another thing I love is Jane's energy. She keeps you upbeat and keeps reminding you to breathe properly and proper form for the movements. Unlike any other of her videos, there is a character in it, Peter Sprague, that acts kinda funny and obnoxious and it really makes you smile and have a good time. I do suggest using wrist weights once you build up your endurance for toning. My only complaint is they didn't really remaster the video quality. There are a few points where there are pops or lines on the screen like it was copied from a VHS, not HD quality. I wish they would've made the video quality better, but I love the workout and it's keeping me fit at 40 so that's the most important part.

This is my favorite video and the only one that I will exercise to. I first used this video back in 1989 when I was about three sizes larger than I wanted to be. I exercised to this video every other night and at first it was exhausting. There is one segment about in the middle of the video where the exercise is "Drive a Big Bus." By the time I hit that segment I was so tired I could barely park a Volkswagen. But I kept to the program and after about six weeks (actually less), I started noticing a difference in how my clothes were falling on me. After about two months, I was in the stores buying new clothes. After about three months, I was getting whistled at and two or three of my male co-workers were openly admiring my new shape. I also noticed that my body was getting stronger. It was easier for me to walk up and down steps. My gait was a little quicker and my stance was much improved.Jane does all of this for you in a soft and gentle series of exercises and movements that are fun. Upon returning home from the office at #:00 or 4:00 in the morning, I eagerly changed into exercise clothes and worked out with Jane. There is Monkey Arms Drive a Big Bus, Hawaii Arms, Washing Windows, Chicken Arms, and so forth. All of these exercises tone you up, slim you down, and make you strong. There is no stress on the knees.There is a warm up, heart rising segment, and cool down. This exercise regimen is so gentle that it actually calms and relaxes while raising your heartbeat and making you perspire just a little. It brings good karma into your life. You will feel ethereal.This exercise video is good for all ages. At the time I used it "way back in the day," I was 38-39. My friend, who lived upstairs, also used it with me and she was about 57. My friend had no difficulty.The Jane Fonda Low Impact cannot be purchased on DVD. I purchased a used VHS and am having it transferred to DVD. I have been sick for a long time and I want to get well. I know that this video can put my body back together and help my road to health.Because the Low Impact Workout is out of print, you have to purchase it used and have it transferred. This can be a little pricey when one considers that one may purchase a later Jane Fonda DVD of about $8.00. However, nothing tops this one. If you want a Jane Fonda Body, and good health,then you have to purchase this video. Buy it. You will not regret it.

I workout 6 X a week. This is a nice change and a good overall workout.