Sweat, style and spandex – Inside the colourful world of 80s-inspired fitness

Lena Lenman went from cabaret performer to fitness professional, bringing an 80s-inspired approach to her business, Solid Gold Fitness. Here she talks memorable branding, themed parties and John Travolta.

FitPro: Can you tell us your personal fitness journey from performer to creating Solid Gold Fitness and its 80s-inspired fitness approach?

Lena Lenman: I’ve been performing in cabaret for around 17 years and professionally for the last 10 or so. When lockdown 2020 hit, the entertainment industry pretty much closed down, which gave me a LOT of free time to pay attention to other passions – including 1980s culture and fitness. My friends and I started dressing up in Lycra and I’d give them retro aerobics classes over zoom, which was just such fun and made me realise that it was something I’d like to dive into deeper. So I registered for courses to earn some qualifications, first as a fitness instructor, then as a personal trainer, and built Solid Gold Fitness from there.

FP: What is it about retro fitness – particularly the 80s – that resonates so strongly with people in classes today?

LL: There’s so much tied into the legend of 80s fitness aside from the iconic symbols of the era, like the spandex and the killer tunes! There was a huge shift towards inclusivity within the fitness industry, gyms had previously been places inhabited by men alone but, with the aerobics boom, suddenly women were taking up space.

Further down the line, different body shapes were encouraged and, in time, those with lower incomes too. And, of course, with VHS in the home becoming more affordable and accessible (which, by the way, was a direct result of the aerobics boom!), there was a fitness liberation happening. It was really a cultural phenomenon.

I think the spirit of this is there in the classes today. I want everyone to feel they can be included and work out with me. I’m playful with them and there’s no room for ego or being self-conscious. We do work hard but at our own paces – whatever they may be. We smile and sweat and feel great.

FP: Your classes are inspired by 80s icons like Jane Fonda and Richard Simmons. How do you adapt retro moves for modern fitness goals (strength, mobility, cardio, etc.)?

LL: You know, a lot of the moves don’t really need to be adapted, they’re SO effective – they’ve just gone out of style because they look old fashioned! For example, things like standing hip thrusts (made famous by Jamie Lee Curtis and John Travolta in the movie Perfect) give an incredibly effective quad, glute and core burn … plus they always raise a giggle!

There are some 80s practices, however, which I bypass for safety reasons, such as intense static stretching for warm-ups. Not the one!

Photo credit: www.sashshots.photography

FP: Can you tell us how you blend the parties and events that you create with the fitness side? What’s the magic recipe and who is your typical clientele for parties?

LL: YES! These are so fun. It’s wonderful because you wouldn’t imagine a group of hens wanting to do a workout to celebrate an upcoming wedding but, once everyone’s dressed up in Lycra and the mixtape starts playing, all bets are off! It’s a real joy to be able to incorporate fitness into something without people really realising.

As I’ve mentioned, I also work in theatre so I’m very comfortable with improvising and interacting with people, which makes the blend of aerobics and party really seamless. Sometimes I even do it in character as an 80s valley girl when requested! I’ve done parties for all sorts of clients: hen parties, birthdays, community events, team building functions for big corporations, plus schools and festivals. Where there’s a dream, there’s a way!

FP: When introducing themed fitness sessions, what do you think could be the challenges instructors may face – and how can they be overcome?

LL: Perhaps overthinking things could be a boundary – just try and keep it simple. Do your research but don’t worry too much about things being perfect. Bringing in the retro vibe often creates a spark of excitement that injects some adrenaline and fun … a bit like mufti-day at the office! Sometimes those little switches can make a big difference.

FP: How have you approached scaling up your business? And what’s in the pipeline for you going forward?

LL: It’s been a slow burn, but it’s still early days. I’ve only been nurturing Solid Gold Fitness for around five years now, so it’s still a toddler. But it’s been very organic and word of mouth has been a major driving force. I’ve gone from the online classes to private bookings for special events, to public in-the-flesh classes to corporate functions and doing talks on 80s aerobics, into the festival seasons and events for schools and universities!

A lot of these events have been a result of someone who’s attended a session and passed on to someone else what fun they had, but of course I reach out to people too and seek new avenues. It’s so varied and I’m constantly surprised and grateful for the opportunities that are thrust my way.

FP: In a crowded fitness market, what do you think really makes a brand memorable beyond logos and what looks good on Instagram?

LL: As with most things, I think if you really love what you do and it shows, people are going to connect and remember. Enthusiasm and passion are both key to success so, if you go into something and want to make a go of it, make sure your heart is truly in it. Don’t just follow trends or assimilate!

FP: What keeps you inspired, especially on days when energy is low or motivation dips?

LL: I’m one of those really irritating people who is constantly energised! I always want to work out. I always want to create and it’s really rare that I’m unmotivated. This, however, does come from a constant need for input; I’m always reading, looking, listening, watching, investigating. I always want to know everything and therefore I’m pretty much always inspired!

Explore more on the blog with this post on dance fitness with Sue Allen Hudson.