Back in the early 1980's, Showtime was a new cable movie pay channel that wanted to be a little different than those already formed. It tired different avenues such as live concerts, hosts between movies and little experimental snippets of original made for Showtime features. This was one of the experiments that worked.
Between movies they showed women and men doing exercises to increase heart rates. The change was in the 'beauty' of doing it, rather than in the sweat of it. Ron Harris assembled a line of dancers, athletes, models/actors and certified instructors to round out this vision. His idea was to place them on a round; slowly rotating platform to perform the heart pumping exercises with one camera catching the detail. Sounds easy? Far from it. But the results were spectacular.
I remember the "making of" segment that was shown mostly on Showtime. It was interesting, as many people did not believe these exercises were all done in one camera take, that these young men and women could DO them at all without falling apart. I will try to break it down in saying that the one camera technique to film this was new and innovative, sexy and cinematic as the Ron Harris has a cinematographer's keen eye for detail and used it here. The rotating platform was an optical illusion and a sensual one as well. And the women and men who choreographed and/or performed these routines on this rotating platform had a difficult task which they made look easy, approachable and dare I say...sexy.
The aerobic routines were choreographed by aerobics instructors to give maximum results for a goal of increased heart rates and circulation in a short period of time. A few of the women featured were those instructors who choreographed routines, a few did not appear and choreographed the routines only. In any case, the women and men chosen to do these were of peak performance levels - whether they were indeed models, actors or dancers. They sold the routines. And therein eventually was the problem: the audience who complained.
It was more than complaints - there were folks trying to follow along and could not. They were dropping like flies because they thought they could just go ahead and 'do it'. Was it fat/obese people doing the complaining? No. It was others who thought because they looked good, they could just go on and do this without warming up, practice or knowing that they could psychically keep up without checking with their doctor FIRST. This is why on the '20 Minute Workout' show/tapes, etc. it came with a warning. The warning is real (because of the complainers) and it's for everyone. These exercises are difficult and because they accelerate your heart rate, it can hurt you no matter how great you look. Sure this helps you to get in and stay in shape, but one should not attempt this until they can work themselves into it. (Actually this was the basis for the 20 Minute Work out series!) On the other hand, there is the alleged sexual content. I believe it was planned to be sensual, not sexual. Many exercise programs before that time were pretty much the same: black and white and jumping jacks for stay at home housewives. The camera was never up close. The instructors were covered from head to toe.
But in came the 1980's, the decade of excess. Ron added color, flair, direct camera angles to accentuate the workout on the muscles, an eye-view of it, beauty (and the makeup NEVER ran!), and instead of some kid playing chopsticks on the piano to accompany the workout, new-age/new-wave/disco combos of sultry accompaniments. This was to make you want to get up and at least try these exercises. And if you did, make you feel as beautiful as the people doing it - instead of feeling like you've just joined basic training in the Army. But even with that for some watching, it because a new method of exploring sexual fantasy. And in came more complainers.
Again, their main complaint was that this was soft-porn and had no redeeming exercise value at all. Was it fat/obese people doing the complaining? Once again, no - they were the ones buying the tapes. The complainers were the ones that had a huge voice in the 80's, the "What about the children!!!" groups.
Their complaint was not all bad, but it was not all correct either. As with any and every exercise program, it will help some achieve their toning or weight loss goals - but definitely not a majority or all. Aerobics helped increase the heart rate and the choreographed routines to it assisted in firming, strength, toning and weight loss. The cameras were right there to show you where, the women and men were selling the program. They were beautiful and handsome. They drew you in. Did you forget to exercise ...and just want to goggle at them? Admire the close up camera work? Therein lies the rub.
Now those who claimed this to be too sexually explicit/soft porn, can do so as beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But it begs to have the question answered, "For what benefit ARE you looking at this series?" Aerobic Exercise or Sexual Stimulation? As an individual, you make the choice. I can say this series was never sexually stimulating as I was in too much pain and sweat over working out with these tapes to become stimulated in that way. Daily exercise for health. Wasn't that the true goal? Too bad many have/are missing the initial point.
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