The Day Fitness Changed

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

07 Jun 2007 01:50 PM

In 1975, the first video cassette recorder went on sale to the public. It would still be a few years before they became a common household item, but they soon took off and became very common. I remember in the mid 80s that a four-head VCR cost about $400, but by the mid-90s, the same VCR cost about $80. Today, they sell for even less and the DVD player has replaced them.

Let's Step Back

But on June 7, 1975, the first video cassette recorder went on sale. And what a revolution it sparked not only in home entertainment, but in education and fitness as well. Since this is the fitness blog, I'll focus on the fitness aspects of the VCR. For most of us in our 30s, we probably can't imagine what a world would be like without digital or analog recording devices?

In 1984, the original Jane Fonda Workout launched an entire industry from its infancy to a wobbly, but soon strong toddler hood. By 1987, Fonda produced 5 exercise videos and they were on the best seller lists all over the country. They were motivating and effective and I knew tons of people who used them. By this time Richard Simmons was pumping his workouts everywhere from infomercials and direct sales.

Evolution of Fitness Videos & DVDs

Exercise videos and DVDs has become a multi-billion dollar industry and it all began on this day in 1975. You can go into practically any store out there and find exercise DVDs and videos. They are in our libraries, our half-price book stores, online and more. That industry is evolving to the podcast and to iTunes. It's hard to believe that it's just a little over 30 years old.

I picked up my first workout tape sometime around 1989, I think. I don't even remember who hosted the tape or what it was about. I remember watching it for about fifteen minutes and then thinking that I was better off going to the gym - we sure have come a long way since those days.

When did you buy your first workout DVD?

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Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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Tristi Pinkston (10839) 07 Jun 2007 05:24 PM

I like working out to videos because then, no one can see me. :) I'm in my own house, and if I wiggle like a bowl full of jelly, I'm not embarrassed that the hunk on the next machine can see me. I have several of Richard Simmons' tapes -- I like them because he uses overweight people for his dancers and not super skinny ones. It makes me feel better.