Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, April 9, 1991 TAG: 9104090318
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ALAN CITRON LOS ANGELES TIMES
DATELINE: BEVERLY HILLS, CALIF. LENGTH: Medium
The studio, which reportedly remained profitable despite a recent dropoff in patrons, is a victim of changing times and Fonda's desire to streamline her operations.
A spokesman said that the studio was unable to compete with health clubs offering everything from juice bars to racquetball. Fonda also wants to concentrate her attention on her core businesses, which include a string of successful fitness videos, books and audiotapes.
"It won't have any impact on the videos and books," said Sidney Galanty, a longtime friend of Fonda's who has produced and directed 12 of her 14 workout videos.
Fonda, 53, is credited with creating the market for specialty videos in the early '80s and with contributing to the fitness fad that accompanied it.
The unassuming aerobics studio is where Fonda inadvertantly got her start. The Academy Award-winning actress opened the studio in 1979 as a fund-raising vehicle for the Campaign for Economic Democracy, a liberal political group, now defunt, founded by Fonda and her former husband, Democratic state Assemblyman Tom Hayden. Years later, Fonda assumed control of studio profits.
Fonda often taught morning classes in the early years. She also opened branches in Los Angeles and San Francisco. But as the other Workout ventures prospered, the studios became less vital, and Fonda closed the other two locations in the 1980s.
by CNB