Before TikTok fitness influencers gave folks tips on staying toned, there were home workout videos in the ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s. From Billy Blanks’ innovative Tae Bo routines and Tamilee Webb’s “Abs of Steel” to the high-energy Zumba classes that were sure to break you into a sweat, these workout tapes made fitness engaging, simple, and hardcore enough to keep you feeling healthy without making you scroll through countless social media posts looking for a good routine. So, let’s get back to basics and make fitness simple again with these retro home workouts that keep you looking snatched and feeling energized!
Billy Blanks
A fusion of Taekwondo and boxing, the Tae Bo workout routine created by fitness legend and martial artist Billy Blanks exploded in popularity in the late 1990s and 2000s. Play his videos a couple of times a week—or every day if you’re feeling brave—and you’ll be snatched in no time.
Denise Austin
If you only have time for 20 minutes of cardio, Denise Austin is the workout instructor for you. Her tried-and-tested HIIT routines are great for burning fat and getting your heart pumping.
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Donna Richardson
If you want your workout to feel less like a chore and more like fun, Donna Richardson’s “Donna Mite!” is the video you need. Through choreographed steps, Richardson makes working out feel like a good time with dance routines.
Shaun T
Like Richardson, Shaun T’s “Hip Hop Abs” turns a heart-pumping cardio session into a dance routine you can enjoy. Stick with Shaun T, and you will build a strong core in no time.
Tony Horton
An extreme home fitness regimen, P90X by Tony Horton, is an hour of dedicated time to sculpt your body that will leave you sore all over, but it will be completely worth it in the long run.
Mel B
British pop singer Mel B was not only part of the Spice Girls; she was also teaching folks at home how to stay just as fit as she is, so you too can feel like an iconic superstar as you strut down the street.
Darrin Henson
Celebrity choreographer Darrin Henson took his work from the stage to the MTV studio for “Darrin’s Dance Grooves,” where he broke down the famous dance routines that made stars like Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, and NSYNC look so amazing.
Jane Fonda
One of the most iconic names in the fitness industry, Jane Fonda’s workout routines might have looked simple, but they were intense enough to get your body feeling the burn, and they still hold up today.
Mr Motivator
Mr Motivator got folks in the UK up and going in the morning with his “Touch of Motivation” program on the BBC, offering helpful affirmations and tips to keep you going. His fitness routines are the perfect start to an energetic day.
Richard Simmons
Richard Simmons’ “Dance Your Pants Off” is another workout that will leave you feeling less dread and more upbeat by the time you are done. It is not as intimidating as an intense regimen, but it is still enough to make sure you feel your best.
Jillian Michaels
Jillian Michaels’ workouts are great if you want a circuit cardio routine where you can add weights for extra resistance, or stick to bodyweight until you build the strength to do the entire routine without breaking a sweat.
Tamilee Webb
Another holy grail to build your core, Tamilee Webb’s Abs of Steel series is another great way to start your day with a no-nonsense routine that will tighten all the muscles in your body. If you are feeling really brave, you can try her Buns of Steel series, too.
Beto Pérez
Finally, no throwback fitness roundup would be complete without one of the biggest crazes of the 2000s. Pop in a Beto Pérez tape for some high-energy Zumba, bringing a vibrant Latin dance flair to your sweat session.
