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First published by HarperCollinsPublishers in 2017
Copyright © HarperCollinsPublishers 2017
Text by Ashley Davies
Picture research by Katie Horwich
Design by Gareth Butterworth
Front cover photograph © Education Images / UIG via Getty Images
Back cover photographs © Shutterstock.com
For full photography credits, see pages
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Source ISBN: 9780008277833
Ebook Edition © November 2017 ISBN: 9780008286620
Version: 2017-12-04
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Contents
Providing you were young, energetic and blissfully ignorant about the dangerously selfish socio-economic philosophies of the period, there was a lot of fun to be had in the ‘80s.
People started realising that exercise didn’t just help you look better – it made you feel fantastic too. And, in the true spirit of the time, working out became competitive. That extended to what kind of exercise you did, where you did it, whose programme you followed and, most importantly for a lot of people, how you looked while you were feeling that burn.
In an era of gigantic hair and shoulder pads, brightly coloured outfits and for-God’s-sake-please-notice-me accessories, there wasn’t an ice-pop’s chance in hell that workout wear was going to be drab or humble, and a thriving industry was born. Leg warmers were as huge as the lower half of leotards were tiny.
Crucially, everyone involved was enthusiastic, and that was infectious. So, if you find working out all a bit gloomy these days, perhaps it’s time to get physical like they did in the ‘80s.
Are the increasingly complicated demands of today’s clean-living lifestyle trends getting you down? Is the po-faced approach to wellness starting to feel like a joyless arms race? Do you yearn to inject some genuine happiness into your fitness regime?
There is an alternative. Exercise like it’s the ‘80s and you will feel alive in ways you never dreamt possible. True, mild static electric shocks will be inevitable, but, boy, it will be worth it.
All you need is a bouncy attitude and a willingness to accessorise like your life depends on it. Embellishment is the name of this game. Go big or go home. Here’s how to get started.
Start by choosing a gym buddy and co-ordinate your outfits. Try to outdo each other’s makeup and accessories. If she gets a belt, you get a belt and a headband. If she gets a headband and new leg warmers, put a key ring on your belt. This friendly competition is time-consuming but very motivating.
The road to corporeal perfection is littered with the bodies of rivals. Stay focused. Disguise the painful fury of your ambition with stage makeup.