Four decades after her high-impact aerobics videos launched a living room fitness movement, Jane Fonda exercises every day at age 88 with a significantly slower pace, graziamagazine.com reported.
Fonda told People in early 2025 that she essentially does everything she used to do, just slower. Her shift from high intensity to sustainable movement aligns closely with recommendations from health organizations for maintaining strength during aging.
Walking Outdoors and Indoors for Cardio
Running has been replaced by walking as Fonda’s primary cardiovascular exercise. She told W Magazine that walking is her preferred cardio choice, supplemented by treadmill and stationary bike sessions indoors depending on the weather conditions. She specifically told People that she enjoys spending time outdoors in the woods, climbing up and down hills. Describing the physiological benefit, she noted that heart health comes from cardio activity while remaining low impact and gentle on joints.
Split Strength Training for Upper and Lower Body
Muscle mass naturally declines over time, making strength work crucial as people age. Fonda addresses this by alternating her resistance sessions. She told W Magazine that she dedicates one day to her upper body and the next day to her lower body. Maintaining strong legs simplifies everyday functional movements, from rising out of a chair to climbing stairs.
Walking on Uneven Terrain for Balance
Walking through hilly wooded areas raises the heart rate while simultaneously challenging balance and coordination. These physical challenges assist in fall prevention. Similar stability can be practiced at home through simple movements like standing on one foot or executing a heel-to-toe walk.
Slower Tempo Defines Current Stretching Regimen
Stretching remains an active component of Fonda’s routine, demonstrated when she led a stretching class for the Supernatural virtual reality fitness app on Meta Quest. Regular stretching maintains joint mobility and enhances overall comfort during daily movement. The defining element of her current regimen is tempo. She told W Magazine that the operative word is slower, explaining that she performs many of her historical exercises with a reduced speed that ensures continuous muscle engagement and minimizes injury risk.
World Health Organization Guides Older Adult Activity
Her adjusted routine mirrors World Health Organization guidelines for older adults. The WHO advises accumulating 150 to 300 minutes of moderate aerobic activity weekly, such as brisk walking, alongside muscle-strengthening exercises on at least two days. For individuals over 65, the organization also suggests varied activities focusing on balance and strength three or more days per week to support bodily function and prevent falls.
Common Questions About Jane Fonda’s Fitness Routine
What kind of cardio does Jane Fonda do now?
Fonda relies primarily on walking, choosing outdoor trails in the woods when weather permits, and utilizes indoor treadmills and stationary bikes.
How does Jane Fonda structure her strength training?
She splits her resistance work by body parts, alternating between upper body sessions on one day and lower body sessions on the next.
What exercise tempo does she emphasize?
She performs many of the same exercises from her earlier fitness career at a much slower, controlled pace to protect against injury.
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