Stretch, Sway and Sass Over Squats
Before high-tech fitness watches and silent spin bikes, there was a living room, a carpet, and a lot of pastel lycra. The 80s and 90s were the golden age of home workouts that were more about fashion and fun than actual reps. You didn’t need a gym, just a VHS tape and a dream.
At Zingo Bingo, we celebrate the energy of this era. Because much like bingo, those living-room workouts brought people together with a mix of excitement, questionable music and unexpected calorie burns from laughing too hard. Let’s step-touch our way back to the most iconic fitness trends that barely broke a sweat.
Step 1: The VHS Fitness Icons That Led the Way
👟 Every home had at least one workout tape. Maybe you never made it past the warm-up, but that was fine. The outfits alone were worth it. From aerobic legends to celeb-led routines, it was all about the flair.
VHS favourites we still think about:
- Mr Motivator in full neon, shouting encouragement from your telly
- Jane Fonda bringing Hollywood sparkle to your living room
- Davina McCall's “power through it” energy
- Cher's fitness series that felt like a concert with squats
- A never-played second tape promising “results in 30 days”
🎲 Zingo Tip: Host a “Bingo-cise” round with simple seated stretches between calls. It’s fun, it’s easy and it’s very on brand.
Step 2: The Outfits Were Half the Motivation
🧦 You might not have worked out regularly, but you absolutely had the gear. Matching tracksuits, pastel headbands, stripey socks and those famous leg warmers, they were more about the look than the sweat.
Retro workout wardrobe staples:
- Velour tracksuits in bubblegum pink or sky blue
- Leg warmers in colours that didn’t match anything else
- Crop tops with slogans like “Work It” or “Feel the Burn”
- Windbreakers zipped up to your chin indoors
- Bumbags for keys and lip balm, even if you weren’t leaving the house
🎲 Room Match: Electric Eighties
Where everything is bold, fast and unapologetically neon.
Step 3: The Moves Were Simple and Slightly Silly
🪩 The beauty of these workouts? You didn’t need perfect form. Half the time you just waved your arms, stepped side to side and hoped for the best. Bonus points for doing it in front of a mirror with your mum cheering you on.
Top classic moves included:
- Grapevines that became shuffles halfway through
- Air punches to the beat of a cassette tape
- High knees that turned into skips
- Pelvic tilts with zero explanation
- The ultimate: freestyle to the final song while pretending you were on TV
🎲 Room Match: Fab Friday
Where feel-good vibes and big bingo wins pair perfectly with your post-aerobics glow.
Bonus: Host a Retro Workout Bingo Night
✅ Dress code: 80s fitness fashion
✅ Play your bingo game with an aerobic soundtrack
✅ Use leg warmers or scrunchies as bingo markers
✅ Award bonus bingo cards for best throwback workout move
✅ Share pics of your outfit with daubers in hand
🎲 Room Match: Daily Dazzle
Your daily dose of sparkle and side-steps.
What’s Your Favourite Flashback Fitness Moment?
💬 Did you follow every move or just vibe in your living room mirror?
Share your memories using #ZingoBingoRewind and tag our socials for a chance to be featured in our next dauber spotlight.
Let’s Zingo and Grapevine Our Way to a Full House
💪🎲 Because in bingo and in retro workouts, it’s the effort (or the outfit) that counts.
