Jane Fonda transformed the home workout scene in the 1980s — now, she’s doing it again in 2025 with a virtual reality headset strapped on.
At age 87, the legendary actress and activist is blending nostalgia with innovation through her new fitness collaboration on Meta’s Supernatural app.
Whether you grew up copying her iconic aerobics or just discovered her on YouTube, Fonda’s influence on movement and motivation has stood the test of time.
Ahead, discover how she’s adapting her roots in fitness to serve a new generation — and what we can all learn from her message of strength, longevity, and empowerment.
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From VHS to VR: Jane Fonda’s New Digital Workout
Jane Fonda’s aerobics tapes defined an era — now she’s reintroducing her signature routines through a 21st-century lens by partnering with Supernatural, the immersive fitness app on Meta Quest’s VR headset.
“Bringing VCR into VR, that was really fun,” Fonda shared with PopSugar. The new digital classes aren’t just inspired by her old videos; they’re practically a retro revival — complete with vibrant costumes, aerobic dance moves, and even her iconic voluminous hairstyle.
Inside the app, users can join Jane for dance cardio, mobility stretches, or a cool-down session focused on flexibility and longevity. There’s even a boxing class with rapper and actor Ludacris, offering a modern twist on Fonda’s classic full-body approach.
Core Message: Movement = Confidence
At the heart of Fonda’s fitness vision is the belief that physical strength fuels inner power. This was true in the ‘80s and it remains just as relevant now.
“Being strong and moving and getting your body, getting everything flowing — it increases your self-confidence,” she explains. “It’s like, ‘Deal with it. I’m here. I am taking up space in front of you.’”
The response to her videos in the past speaks to their emotional significance. She recalls letters from viewers — many of them women — who shared how discovering their strength through her workouts changed their lives.
One woman told her that seeing new arm muscles while brushing her teeth gave her the confidence to stand up to her boss for the first time. It’s more than exercise. It’s about agency, visibility, and transformation.
Why Longevity Is Jane’s New Priority
Though the energy and joy that powered her early routines is still present, Fonda’s focus has shifted to longevity and injury prevention. At 87, she’s acutely aware of the risks that come with aging.
“When you’re my age, falling is your enemy,” she says. “So I work really hard on that as well as just keeping up my muscles and my flexibility.”
Her current routine emphasizes balance work, mobility exercises, and consistent walking — a nod to modern trends like the “hot girl walk”, which she enthusiastically supports. “I was walking the other day with a group of people… they were just amazed at how well and fast I can walk and still be safe,” she recalls.
By adapting her practices to fit her body’s changing needs, Fonda models an empowering perspective: that fitness isn’t about perfection — it’s about preparation, presence, and perseverance.
A Foundation of Health Through Life’s Highs and Lows
Fonda’s fitness journey hasn’t just been for the public. It’s helped her personally weather major health battles, including cancer and chemotherapy.
“My health has had its ups and downs… but when you have a basic foundation that’s healthy, it’s easier to get through those kinds of medical traumas,” she says.
Her advice echoes what current research continues to show: maintaining muscle mass, mobility, and cardiovascular health significantly boosts outcomes when facing illness or surgery (source).
It’s another important reminder that being strong — both mentally and physically — builds lasting resilience.
“Women Have to Become Stronger in Every Way”
Decades removed from her first fitness empire, Fonda stands firm in her belief that strength leads to empowerment — not just individually but socially.
“Women have to become stronger in every way,” she says. “When you feel healthy and good, you can take on anything.”
She’s not just passing on workouts. She’s passing on a philosophy: wellness as a form of self-worth and activism. Especially in today’s world, feeling capable in body can shape how women advocate, assert, and show up.
“I can take on the world,” she affirms. “And I need to feel that way right now.” For anyone watching — either on VHS back then or in VR today — those are words to move by.
