Own Your Age
Speaking of Luda—he, like Supernatural creator Chris Milk, told Fonda he’d grown up watching his mom do her workouts. For some people this could be deflating, but Fonda took it as a point of pride.
“He said it was surreal for him to be actually doing a workout alongside me,” Fonda says. “That didn’t make me feel old. It made me feel really good. This guy that I’m boxing with was a little infant when he was watching me. But I’m still with you, kiddo.”
In other words, getting older isn’t something to be ashamed of, even in the fitness space, which, let’s be honest, tends to skew younger. Instead, Fonda now considers it motivation to keep moving.
“You want to remain independent, get in and out of cars without help, pick up your grandkids and all of that,” she says. “Staying strong is really important.”
Continue the Workouts that Make You Feel Good—but Always Modify as Needed
Fonda says she does essentially the same workouts she used to do, just at a more relaxed pace. This holds true both for her cardio and for strength training, both of which remain vital parts of her routine.
“It’s kind of like sex—slow is better,” she says. In fact, if she could go back and rerecord her earlier videos, she’d want to keep that nugget of advice in mind: Fonda says she probably would slow the movements down, so the broader population could follow along better and get the full benefits of each move.
While Fonda used to be a runner, she now walks or hikes instead for her cardio, preferably outdoors. On the days when her schedule allows, she meets with an “extremely nice and good” trainer for strength training. Each session lasts up to a full hour, and alternates among upper-body, lower-body, and combo days. “We make sure I work every muscle group,” Fonda says.
Understand How Physical Strength Contributes to Personal (and Collective!) Power
From the time she released her first videos, Fonda knew she was helping women build confidence that translated to other areas of their lives. She recalls a letter she once received from a woman who’d done her tapes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Fonda’s story is a testament to the importance of owning one’s age and continuing to prioritize physical fitness. By modifying workouts to suit her needs and focusing on overall strength, she has been able to maintain her independence and continue to inspire others to do the same.
FAQs
Q: How does Fonda modify her workouts for her age?
A: Fonda says she does essentially the same workouts she used to do, just at a more relaxed pace. She also makes sure to modify her moves to suit her current abilities and abilities of her students.
Q: How does Fonda’s experience relate to the fitness space?
A: Fonda’s story highlights the importance of prioritizing physical fitness at any age, rather than being held back by societal expectations or age-related limitations. Her experience shows that with the right approach, individuals can continue to be active and strong well into their golden years.
Q: What advice does Fonda have for those who are new to fitness?
A: Fonda encourages individuals to start slowly, listen to their bodies, and focus on feeling good. She also emphasizes the importance of modifying exercises to suit individual abilities and needs.
