Building strength in a pandemic.

In April 2020, during NYC’s first wave of the pandemic, I told my forever friend Nick that life felt stuck. He invited me to join a daily workout group led by a mutual college friend and my pandemic quality of life instantly improved.

We start each 1 hr session with box breathing and end with cat jokes. Pets and kids make cameo appearances. Attendance ranges between 2 and 10 and members are spread across 6 states. Our daily check-ins provide support through racial injustice unrest, layoffs, health issues, political heartbreaks, and we’ve celebrated birthdays, new jobs, new homes, a new president, and a marriage!

Swapping stories with friends from a time when life was full of possibilities was medicine for my soul. It wasn’t long before I began missing another college friend, Billy Blanks, creator of the 1999 workout craze TaeBo. TaeBo was my first success in committing to a workout routine and I will never forget how badass I felt after completing TaeBo Advanced without missing a single kick or punch.

I wondered if I could still keep up with Billy and his squad and set out to prove to myself that at 41, I could still be the badass I was at 20.

And so began my workout group’s journey (re)visiting VHS workouts. This website shares our favorites and we hope it helps inspire you to try a new routine during this topsy turvy time.

P.S. Know your herstory - Jane Fonda pioneered the workout video industry with her release of “Jane Fonda’s Workout” in 1982.

P.P.S. BBC recently published this article which follows the evolution of the home fitness industry.

P.P.P.S. Working out with pals is more fun, is good for your mental health, and increases the likelihood you’ll stay committed to your routine.

P.P.P.P.S Check out our 1-year anniversary commemorative T-Shirt!