Aerobics word association – Lycra, Spandex, headbands, striped outfits, jiggling flab, overenthusiastic instructors, Flashdance (1983), sports bras, bike shorts, bad music, Richard Simmons, and in 1982, Jane Fonda (pictured below left) topped the best-seller list with her Workout Book.
The 1980s brought the dawn of the Evian/bottled water phenomenon and the ultimate icon was Olivia Newton-John (pictured above right) jiggling about in leotard and leg-warmers – a fashion also much favoured by Pat Benatar – singing “Let’s get physical”. Yes, lets!.
In 1985, 20% of Americans participated in aerobics.
