How Jane Fonda Stays Strong at 88: Her Go-To Moves You Can Do at Home
The energizing moves keeping Jane Fonda strong at 88—and how to do them at home
At 88, Jane Fonda is still moving, thriving and inspiring millions—and her secret isn’t complicated. The celebrated actress and activist stays strong with a simple workout routine that focuses on strength, balance and slower-paced moves anyone can try at home. Whether you’re in your 50s, 60s, 80s or beyond, Fonda’s approach to fitness proves that staying active doesn’t have to be intense to be effective. Ready to feel stronger and more energized? Here’s exactly what Jane Fonda does to keep moving—and how you can do it too.
What’s Jane Fonda’s workout routine?
In a late 2024 exclusive interview with Women’s Health, Fonda shared that staying active is a daily priority for her. She works out regularly with trainer Malin Svensson, who specializes in fitness for adults over 50. And if you don’t have a trainer of your own, Svensson also shares free workouts and fitness tips on Instagram.
So what does Fonda’s routine look like? According to Women’s Health, it’s a mix of both cardio and strength training. For cardio, she keeps things simple, opting for activities like walking or cycling, whether she’s outdoors or exercising at home. She also makes time for resistance training with weights, alternating between upper and lower body exercises.
Woman's World Answers
“Keeping your quads and your hips strong is really, really important,” Fonda told Women’s Health. In the interview, she shared that she maintains that strength with her go-to move: squats.
Why strength training matters with age
“Strength training is a key way to counteract normal age-related muscle loss or sarcopenia,” says Milica McDowell, DPT, certified exercise physiologist with over 20 years of experience. “It is also key in the lower extremity [the hips, thighs and legs] for reducing fall risk, improving balance and protecting your bones. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends adults do strength training at least two days a week, which involves exercises against resistance. This could be bodyweight, stretchy bands, dumbbells or other types of resistance. Ensuring that you do strength training twice a week helps keep your body well-rounded, and as you age is even more preventative every year.”
Jane Fonda doesn’t focus on speed
When it comes to speed in her workouts, Fonda shared that her mindset has shifted over time.
“The mantra becomes slower. It’s kind of like sex—slower,” Fonda said in the interview. “It still gets the job done.”
“Slower and lower intensity workouts can be very beneficial for older adults,” says McDowell. “ Intensity is very individual and how hard you are working during an exercise session should be determined by your cardiovascular fitness, your muscular skeletal endurance and just overall how you feel. It’s better to do a workout at a slow pace than not work out at all.”
Jane Fonda says working out is a necessity
Fonda explains that exercise plays a direct role in how people are able to move through life as they age.
“When you’re younger, working out is a choice,” Fonda told Women’s Health. “When you’re older, working out is an absolute necessity. It makes all the difference in the world whether you’ll be able to get in and out of a car, carry your own luggage, play with your grandkids, have a life. If you don’t keep moving when you’re over 50, you’re going to lose your life.”
Fonda also shared that her motivation for staying active isn’t centered on age alone.
“I don’t credit exercise with longevity—I credit exercise with having a good life,” Fonda said in the interview. “You can live long and be unable to move very well or remain independent. My independence and my ability to still have a good time, which is different from longevity, comes from exercising.”
3 easy Jane Fonda-inspired exercises for midlife
Feeling inspired after hearing about Jane Fonda’s routine? We asked McDowell for three Jane Fonda-inspired exercises she recommends you try at home:
Squat with a hold
Why it helps: “A squat with a hold is a great exercise to boost lower body, endurance and strength,” says McDowell.
How to do it: “Depending on your balance, you could hold onto a counter or a railing and go to about a half-depth squat, with your feet hip-width apart and your hips falling back like you’re sitting in a chair,” says McDowell. “When you get to the halfway-down position, hold for four to eight seconds, take a big deep breath, and push back up. If this is a new exercise for you, one to two sets of four to eight reps could be plenty. If you’re an established exerciser, shoot for 12 to 20 repetitions, two times.”
Bridge exercise
Why it helps: “If you’re able to lie down on the ground, a bridge exercise is another way to train your lower extremity power muscles, which help with walking, stair climbing, stepping up curbs and getting in and out of cars and chairs,” says McDowell.
How to do it: “Lie on your back with your feet flat on the floor and your knees bent, feet hip-width apart,” says McDowell. “You’re going to lift your hips up to a tabletop position so your rear is off the floor. This is another exercise where you can hold for four to eight seconds. If you’re new to the exercise, four to eight times would be a great place to start. If you’re a more established exerciser, twelve to twenty repetitions up to two times could be beneficial.”
Counter or wall plank
Why it helps: “A counter or wall plank is a great exercise to work on core control and upper body strength,” says McDowell.
How to do it: “If you’re doing a plank against a wall, place your hands on the wall and walk your feet back, making sure you’re not wearing slippery socks or standing on a slippery surface,” says McDowell. “Barefoot is best. Place your hands at shoulder width, elbows locked, and hold yourself in a plank position at an angle you’re comfortable with. Start with five to 10 seconds, with a goal of working up to 30 to 60 seconds. If you’re new, try one to two times. If you’re a more established exerciser, you could do three to five repetitions. This exercise is really wonderful for training your core, your back and your shoulders.”
Healthy aging isn’t just about adding another year—it’s about making every year count. Quality of life, independence and strength all come from the choices you make today. Whether you’re inspired by Jane Fonda’s routine or creating your own, the key is simple: keep moving, stay consistent and celebrate what your body can do.
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