A recent article in the Daily Mail reports that my knee replacement surgery was the result of years of repetitive pounding from doing my Jane Fonda Workout programs. Wrong! It is a result of osteoarthritis which my father, Henry Fonda, also suffered from, as does my brother, Peter, who may need hip replacement soon. You never saw them doing the Jane Fonda Workouts. My family’s osteoarthritis (the gradual disappearance of joint cartilage) is a matter of genes, not working out. I am sure that my 25 years of eating disorders didn’t help the condition, and perhaps my decade of running made it worse. But sooner or later I would have needed joint replacement even if I had been totally sedentary.
The fact is that my Workout programs were initially not aerobic at all. Only one of them, “The Workout Challenge,” had an aerobic component and because it was so challenging, not many people purchased it. When I actually got into producing aerobic videos they were of the low-impact variety and were supervised by sports physiologists. As for my exhortation to “Go for The Burn,” that came with strength building-working the particular muscle group long enough to feel the burn that results from the build up of lactic acid. This has nothing to do with aerobic activity which is where the “pounding” comes in.
Genes, my friends, are the culprits, not my workouts,
Rana
Jane, I have to tell you a funny story about your work out tapes. I am from a small town in West Texas. When our local vet starting getting a bit thick in the middle, his wife started buying exercise videos for him. One day I ran into him at the cafe and asked him how it was going. He said he was enjoying the videos a lot. I expressed surprise and he said, “Yeah, I threw that Richard Simmons video away and now I sit there and watch Jane Fonda. She’s real pretty in that leotard.” He didn’t lose his thick middle, but you had a fan all the same. 🙂
:)
I thought it happened on Broadway… u know, break a leg….
cathy
Hi Jane,
You are right–I went skiing and did a lot of exercise and have great knees and I’m your age! It’s all genetics!! You are great—u did more in your lifetime then I did—and u are still active with Plays and such–Well have a great one–rehabilitate your knee. By for now-
fish
still hoping for a Wii version of your workout! it’d be great fun!
Hinda
Does anyone take the Daily Mail’s ‘reports’ at face value? If they do, they shouldn’t.
I have bad osteoarthritis in back back, which cause severe leg pain at times; I can no longer do your video workouts, but I don’t blame them for my problems. My mother suffered the same degeneration as I and never did aerobic or other exercise routines.
I loved doing your workouts, and even got your personal approval of how good I was looking during that time. 🙂
Hinda
P.S. I did get strains from other workout videos I did. I remember you advised me to see a good sports doctor, while Ted told me to sue the video maker!!!
Vivien Wolsk, Ph.D
My daily emotional workouts program was inspired by your workout book and program. I have developed 5 daily core emo-cises for developing and maintaining emotional fitness and call my program “Shape Up Your Psyche”. I sent you an outline a few months ago hoping you’d add your comments. I appreciate you are a busy person with many requests. Best wishes on your knee recovery and all your good works.
joe Stanford
I wish u a speedy recovery Jane!! When will u be able to talk about your new film?
Peace!
Joe
Dalila1542
I’m right there with you Jane. I opened an aerobic studio (after being inspired by yours) in Orange County CA in the 80’s. We did the most intense classes imaginable for 17 years. And yes, we went for the burn. I can count on one hand the people that were injured taking class. I have read studies that show that “impact” performed on a correct surface, by exercisers strong enough, can actually build bone density.
I see old students to this day who are still step tapping, grape-vining and donkey kicking with the best of them. They still look hot too!
I can’t wait for your next fitness adventure.
Anna Worthen
I still do the org “Jane Fonda Workout”, I convert it from VHS to DVD. My knees are fine, and my butt is fantastic. You’re purple stripped leotard, tights and legwarmers are wonderful to see 1st thing in morning.
Bizby
If anything, the workouts may have postponed the need for the knee replacement; exercise always benefits thru better circulation and support of joints from good muscle tone.
Suzanne H.
Isn’t it more likely that your lifelong commitment to fitness helped to stave off the effects of your genetic tendencies towards osteoarthritis, instead of the other way around?
Jessica
Isn’t it great that you now have a website and can almost instantaneously clear up gossip? On another subject — I’ve seen Patti Lapone in 3 productions on Broadway. She is a revelation! For years, critics have said how demanding and difficult she can be, something you rarely hear about men in the business. I’m wondering, Jane, if you can comment on the blatant sexism, and with women, ageism in the entertainment field. Thank you for all you do, and more importantly, who you are!
Marsha
Know you’re ready to focus on your book, but really hope you will create a workout for post-op knee &/or hip replacements. So, maybe it is a time for keen observations & taking notes as your recovery progresses. Important to capture the moment at hand. Rest, heal & then begin. Oh, and enjoy that new Mac!
Timothy Dougherty
I was just reading that, “Every year in the United States alone, more than 300,000 knee replacements are performed” . I am sure that some may have been doing the Jane Fonda Workout programs, but not 300,000 or even a large percent of them. I sure they did hear about it or even tryed it but had nothing to do with their knee replacement surgery. I thi nk the news just likes to beat on you to see what will come up. You workout programs helped more people then harm anyone. I just had a wonderful talk with a older women on a bus , she was a wonder she could have been a book on aging herself.
Barbara
Hi Jane,
I’m glad that your knee exercise/therapy is going so well. Keep up the good work!
In case you missed it, here is an item from today’s (June 22) NYT on Patti LuPone stopping her show in Las Vegas because someone was using an electronic device.
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/22/another-show-stopping-moment-not-the-good-kind-from-patti-lupone/?hp
Most of the people commenting agreed with Ms. LuPone. Personally, if I was perfoming and someone was fiddling with his or her cell phones I’d be furious.
Hope you have fun when you go to Ms. LuPone’s show and dine with her in L.A.
Hugs to Tulea!
Best,
Barbara
Karen
Sorry Jane, I giggled all through your blog, because I had this image of your bro Peter and dear Henry in tights doing your workout! People are so silly, why do they write such garbage without asking about facts? Maybe you can knee these guys with your new one!
Joanna Neal
Jane, you are so right. I have had cervical fusion #3 thru #7 vertebrae and a total ankle replacement. I experience terrific knee and hip pain all due to osteoarthritis. And, that comes from hypermobility in my joints which equals GENES.
Judith Haney
I read the same article yesterday and thought, absent a read of your medical record, how the heck do they know what caused the problem. Glad you read it too and are setting the record straight.
I would hate being a celebrity and have the press abuse and invade my privacy that way. That’s what makes you so special Jane. You have withstood the test of time, fielded all the obstacles, and have evolved as a caring, knowledgeable, empathetic citizen of the world, and that is what I admire the most about you.
Andrea
Ahhhhhhhh, the press. I agree with you Jane. By themselves, women are more likely to suffer, but the genes. I do sport a lot and many people tell me that my joints hurt. I answered that we will suffer the same as my mother has it. So, perhaps before it gets to your age, having to replace any part of my body. From Uruguay with love.
Kelsey
I think the workouts did more good than harm, look at you, you look fabulous!
Brandon Wallace
Dear Jane, do take care of yourself! I hope you have a quick and full recovery!
Judith Ghislaine Newman
Bonjour
Je vous suis depuis le début de votre carrière, bien avant Twitter, et je suis enchantée de vous retrouver sur Twitter et de lire votre blog à tous les jours. Je me demandais si vous aviez quelqu’un qui écrivait pour vous ou si vous le faites vous-même, c’est toujours très intéressant.
Judith Ghislaine Newman
p.s. Bon rétablissement
nirmala heriza
Jane, not long after I began teaching traditional Hatha Yoga at your WorkOut in Beverly Hills I was invited by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to create a dedicated Hatha Yoga Cardiac model for their heart patients, as the stress management component of their cardiac rehab program, which also includes cardio exercise, nutrition and counselling. At that time, several of my medical collegues knew I was teaching at your W.O. They were very impressed by your low impact program as a safe, medically reliable, preventive measure toward supporting cardiovascular health.
Because of the influence you’ve had on different facets of my life, in the biographical portion of the first draft of my book on Yoga and health with Penguin/Tarcher, I dedicated a page and a half to your influence on the America culture, not only affecting the socio-political consciousness of this country, but also in helping to inform the perception and process of aging through physical fitness. Describing how you singlehandedly catalyzed the entire movement toward health and fitness that has only grown exponentially. My wonderful literary agent, a former Senior VP and Editor in Chief at Harper Collins, and enormous admirer of yours, said she was riveted by the historical perspective on you and your influence. That she was hoping I could write more. Unfortunately, at the last minute, my publisher decided that, rather than a historical overview on Yoga and health, they wanted me to change the format to a self-help styled book, forcing me to do a complete re-write, distilling the entire biographical narrative to a page and a half. Focused only on my own personal experience with the discipline. I had to edit out the most compelling parts. Those describing the cultural impact of you and my Guru, Swami Satchidananda on the U.S. It was what most inspired me to write the book in the first place. In the second printing, I may not be able to re-instate the full narrative but I intend to elaborate on the strategic benefits of your W.O program, from the perspective of cardiovascular health.
With continued best wishes, peace, love and gratitude.
Nirmala
missa
They will find any excuse, i want to know how they explain sickness in people who have done nothing but look after themselves and still get sick broken or shock horror even dead. Also i enjoy how it’s you fault if something goes wrong, bless them
Dan Micu
Hello Jane,
I agree with you that the genes can be one of the reasons for your osteoarthritis. However, in my opinion the genes lead to a health problem when we repeat same mistakes (poor diet, etc) as our parents. So, let’s change here and there few things and definitely we will see the results.
As far as I have read in recent medical literature, lack of vitamin D is one of the reasons the cartilage regenerate by itself. Therefore the results of last researches recommend that over 50 years old we should take ~ 2000 IU of vitamin D in addition to calcium supplements (this is very good for the cancer prevention too).
Kind regards, dm
Diane
I have oesteoarthritis as well. I know for me personally, overuse creates soreness and pain. I cannot do the level of exercise I have been able to do in the past. I have to pace myself. I think it is a combo of genetics and pushing yourself beyond a reasonable point (which you have admitted to doing in the past). Getting old sucks, plain and simple. 🙂
Chad
Keep up the good work on your road to recovery. You inspire me with your openess.
Jennifer
Hi Jane
I got your personal training series on DVD a couple months ago and I’m doing them a few times week along with other exercises. They’re great! I did them back in the 90s on vhs. They are solid WOs not outdated! I have a 2 yr old-so I like the 25 min length-easy to fit in! I always get a kick out of the “braid ” you wear in one! I wonder what you think of that now! Also one of the girls wears a thong and there’s a butt close up! Pretty funny!
Anyways…I’ve done these off and on for years along with your older ones. They are not high impact. I’m just a regular person with off and on weight issues..And I’ve never had any trouble or hurt after doing any of your workouts. Never.
Thanks Jane!
PS The only thing I can’t do…Push-Ups! I can only do 4!
Chris Myers
Hi Ms. Fonda,
Greetings from Hotlanta!
Best wishes for a quick recovery. Glad you had fun on the Galapagos trip. I’m eager to hear about your upcoming film projects. Take care!
Jan
Hi Jane, There are way too many “experts” ready to either condemn or condone one’s ‘life” and “style.” Experience is our best teacher! I do not believe for one minute that your workouts were the culprit for your hip and knee problems! Most folks, I think, have more doubts than ever about the written word. My best to you; keep on healing!
Nick Faust
Ah Jane, I have the same arthritis and it laid me low me early on. The cartilage in my left hip sort of disappeared, and, oh my, did it hurt to walk. Luckily had health coverage and was able to do the replacement thing. I was 44 at the time. Boy, was it gruesome and gross, but after a few months the pain was totally, totally, one hundred percent gone and I could walk again! It was like a miracle. Since then, I’ve often wondered what it would have been like to have this problem in the dark ages before replacements? A wheel chair and morphine addiction at 44, is my guess. I know many who are in their fifties and older without healthcare suffering from the same thing – and it gets to me. With the medical technology in our grasp, there’s no excuse for anyone – no matter how old or young – to suffer this kind of pain. It is very good of you to discuss your replacements; it demystifies the whole thing for those who have yet joined our ever growing club and are perhaps a little frightened of it.
Regarding those who look for ways to denigrate your fitness work: f*&# them!
You’re the best!
Nick
silvia carry
Genes, not your workouts are the culpit for your knee problems!
I’m 70 and exercised all my life. In 1982 I first bought your book and then the first workout, which I did religiously every day for the longest time. I own every workout video you made (except for the pregnancy ones because I was past that stage) and did them for years.
There is nothing wrong with my knees though. And, at 70, I still do one workout from the “personal trainer” videos every day (…and my 20 minutes of yoga to the voice of Rodney Yee)
You have been, and continue to be and inspiration.
God Bless you
I have my parents to thank for my genes and you for staying in shape.
Jeff
This is a comment for all those readers out there with chronic pain. Having or needing a knee replacement or any joint replaced for that matter is not genetics! Just because people around you (i.e. friends, family, teammates, etc.) are having issues doesn’t mean that you are predisposed to going that route.
The common theme that should be addressed is the WHY! Why did this happen? Why, if it is osteo/age/etc. are you dealing with just one side? Isn’t your knee the same age? Aren’t all the bones in your body the same age? Unless you were hit by a truck, then the answer is yes!
There is any easier way and more logical way to understand your chronic pain, think globally. What I mean is, look at the entire body. How does your body line up. Are you balanced? Is one foot or knee turned out or in? Is one hip or shoulder higher than the other? If so, then you are out of alignment!
Just as a car needs to be in good alignment for the tires to wear evenly, suspension to ride smoothly, and to drive straight, so does your body. If your body is continually compensating throughout your daily routine, then you bet there’s got to be uneven wear and tear on your joints. Thus, causing pain and degeneration.
So, if you want to stop the “AGING PROCESS” and start feeling better get this book, “PAIN FREE” by Pete Egoscue. It’s a wonderful book and it will truly change your life – I know it changed mine!
Maxine
You are an inspiration! Keep up the good work.
Joyce
I would say that your workouts are responsible for the fact that you are a spry septuagenarian still in fabulous shape.
Rose Rodriguez
Jane, was this needed?? I had 5 Supartz injections in my
left knee about 2 mos ago, the doctor wanted to operate, i said No.I feel greatafter 2 mos, it may last 8 or 9mos. I have plenty of arthritis, also in my left knee.
I wish you fast healing with much love & respect Jane.
Tell me about ceramic, will it last loner than anything else on the market.???Please let me know.
Amanda
I can’t believe the Daily Mail would just jump to conclusions about your knee surgery, blaming your workout sessions for the complications. I wish publications like that would get their facts straight before making false claims.
Anyway, I hope the physical therapy is going well for you, Jane!
Best,
Amanda
Veronica, a Fondette
I have been doing the Jane Fonda workout for 20 years on a regular basis. I am in my late 40s now, and my joints are fine, mostly. I think the benefits of the workout far outweighs the potential risks of injury. That said, I do believe that an emphasis should be placed on low impact exercises.
I cannot wait for your new workout to come out! I wonder do you still incorporate an aerobic element to your exercise routines these days (I know you do pilates now). And BTW you are looking fabulous!
Love, Veronica
Norbert Montoya
Jane… I have been a fan and an admirer of yours for a long time.
M
Jason
Hi Jane,
During all those years of running, did you ever consider running a marathon?
(a report years ago in the Daily Mail (ahem!) while you were doing publicity in Cannes for Old Gringo stated that before their interview with you, you had just run from Cannes to Nice and back (about 30 miles. I doubt it but you are the expert!) and were adamant that running was the solution to everything – even jet lag. Everytime I have jet lag (about once a week) I think of that quote and wonder if you did really say it.
Best wishes from Germany
Jason
p.s there was a great documentary about Harvey Milk and prop 6 on TV tonight. You weren’t mentioned, unfortunately. But did you know that both Berlin and Hamburg (where I live) both have gay (and out!) mayors? Pretty progressive for the 21st Century, eh? 😉
diana
I keep telling my mom that I want retroactive new genetics.
I don’t know if I’ll need a replacement – she never has had one, but she was walking with a cane since her 40’s – and is now using a walker, very slowly, or a wheelchair.
Bah.
dg
Hilary
I’m 30, an aerobics and dance fanatic. I do your workouts all the time. Over the past several years, I’ve been having more and more pain in my right knee. I’ve started taking glucosamine, but what I wonder is, do I have to stop doing aerobics and lunges? what’s the best treatment? glad you’re able to tackle the stairs!
Gen
My left knee has been crummy most of my life, not genes, mostly traumas. Now that I’m in my 50s, my left hip compensates for the knee no longer has the capability to do. I need a total replacement on the knee but I’ve not met a confident doctor with an excellent bedside manner. As said many times after much diagnosis – the chance of a total replacement lasting longer than 15 years is slim. So even IF I elected replacement, I would still use my leg brace to prevent wear and tear on the implant. I’ve had far too many left knee operations as it is to forego more after the initial implant. Jane you’re brave. I wish you luck in recovery and many many many years of worry free mobility.
best,
gen
frederique dhenein
after reading your post, and all the comments, i must confess; i did the challenge workout and my knees are fit, it’s all a question of getting mature and genes are really giving the rule of our future, anyway. Physical training does improve mental and physical health! very living and interessing blog! frederique dhenein
Cindy
I too have had a total knee replacement, almost 3 months ago. I also taught and participated in aerobics, someone asked me if that’s what caused my knee replacement. I needed it because of arthritis, I was bone on bone. Tonight I took my first step class, without using a step, it felt so great!! I didn’t realize how much I missed exercising
María
Hi Jane;
I admire you and look like a great person. I want to ask advice;
I have little money and live away from gyms, I like doing exercise videos and I love yours as ” complete workout”, “lean routine”, and ” kane fonda´s personal trainers series”etc, but I read that your videos are bad for health and are contraindicated. I love your body and to do exercise in muy home with your videos, but now, I’m afraid. Please tell me your opinion and help me.
A hug;
María
Janne
Dear Jane
How fantastic that you have this blog! I only just discovered it yesterday, and I’m almost in tears by the fact that I am able to leave a comment on YOUR blog… How exciting! Your work, your films, your books and particularly your workout tapes have been very influential in my life (I think I have a dozen of them). I thank you for sharing your art and wisdom. I hope you keep up the good work, and I promise to go for the burn 🙂
Humble greetings from Janne,
Norway
Ann Kingsbury
I believe going for the burn is a great way to challenge the body for athletes in good condition who want to go the next level. Same with “No Pain, No Gain” which triggered generations to condition their bodies and sport better muscle tone especially when we compare to older beach movies. (tee hee).
I went to a recent workshop by Gail Condrick, Nia Black Belt and Archetypal Consultant. According to Gail, “the real journey of the athlete is about endurance of the Spirit.” What I understood is the athlete archetype is one of many archetypes in our collective conscious. As with every archetype, there are opposing aspects depending where one is on the learning continuum. In its empowered state the athlete seeks continual improvement and raising the bar. I imagine ignoring the body or misreading its cues would be the lesser evolved condition.
For everyday folk, perhaps “no challenge, no gain” might be helpful especially as many, many Westerners are in their heads more than their bodies. A healthy relationship with the body seems essential to intelligently know the difference between positive tension and pain that may be detrimental.
Feel the burn is a very powerful way into the sensations of the body. Knowing the sensation of pleasure is also an important tool that releases healing biochemicals from what I have read. I believe Pleasure deserves its recognition in fitness as in the pleasure from having done a workout where one feels more energized afterward. There is also pleasure for all of us either athlete or nonathlete from the perfect amount of rest after a challenge. I assume there is pleasure in having the endurance to move through pain in rehabilitation for a speedier recovery.
You have made a huge contribution to everyday people throughout the world desiring to improve their fitness. When you speak, people listen. Would love to have you join the Pleasure Revolution.
Ciao Bella!
Ann
kathy
I am 41 years old now, and I began using your video in 1982 as a freshman in HS. I have never found a better workout for my body since those early tapes. I have searched in vain for a DVD of the original JFWO, to no avail. It took some memory jogging, but I think I have memorized most of the exercises and I still practice them today!
Thanks, Jane!