20 Minute Workout
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| 20 Minute Workout | |
| Format | Exercise/Aerobics |
|---|---|
| Created by | Ron Harris |
| Presented by | Bess Motta Arlaine Wright |
| Opening theme | 1983 by Shiva 1984 by Peter Jermyn and Gilles Ouellet |
| Ending theme | 1983 by Shiva 1984 by Peter Jermyn and Gilles Ouellet |
| Country of origin |  Canada/ United States |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Jami Allen Christopher Dalton Wayne Fenske Jamie Kellner Ian McDougall |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | Citytv (Canada) Syndication (US) |
| Original run | 1983 – 1985 |
| External links | |
| Official website | |
20 Minute Workout is a Canadian-produced aerobics-based television program that ran from 1983 to 1984, in which three young women would exercise in a white room that was illuminated with bright white lights. The room also had a rotating platform, so the exercising could be seen from every angle.
Contents |
[edit] Series background
20 Minute Workout was created by Ron Harris in 1983, produced by Tantra Entertainment in association with the Canadian animation company Nelvana Limited, and broadcast locally on Citytv; in the United States, it was syndicated by Orion Pictures (Now part of MGM Television). Two seasons of the program were produced, although reruns continued to appear for many years afterwards. The exercise routines were often led by Bess Motta or Arlaine Wright. One selling point of the show was the young attractive girls exercising in leotards, notwithstanding the fine aerobics. The exercise routines were demanding, high-impact aerobics, followed by a stretching section. Some stretches were performed with legs spread apart, hands on the ground. The girls stood on a revolving platform, so the viewer got to see the girls from every angle.
Pulsating music from synthesizers played in the background. For the first season, music was performed by the group SHIVA, while the second season featured music by the trio Jermyn/King/Ouillet.
There are numerous websites hosted by fans that detail about the dancers, and include so-called screen-captures from the show. The :20 Minute Workout is a spin-off from Aerobicise, a series of home videos that were first released in 1981, which had varying subtitles of "The Beginners Workout", "The Ultimate Workout", and "The Beautiful Workout". In 1982, a series of segments aired in the U.S. on Showtime as unscheduled filler in between features, and lasting no longer than 5 minutes. Both the videos and the filler featured a different cast (none of which wore shoes), and unlike the show they later spawned, exercise instruction was either kept minimal, or not featured at all, and any that was present was given by an off-screen "narrator". Also, while not containing any actual nudity, both the videos and the Showtime segments nonetheless featured more explicit shots of the exercisers. "Aerobicise" is also the name of the original 1982 pilot episode of 20 Minute Workout.
In 2009 RAHFA Entertainment Inc. released the SexArise! erotic nude fitness series. It is billed as the 'hottest erotic fitness show in the world' and was inspired by the original 20 Minute Workout but features fully nude SexArise! Girls exercising to funky music with a beautiful hostess anchoring the show.
In 2008, Koodoo Mobile (a division of Telus) launched a wildly popular, tongue-in-cheek ad campaign featuring girls in leg-warmers and 80's fitness clothes to promote their mobile phones and plans. The ad campaign immediately brings to mind the original '20 Minute Workout' series.
[edit] Disclaimers
Every episode begins with this disclaimer (which is in fact true of any exercise program):
- "WARNING: The following program depicts exercises which, depending on your physical condition, may be hazardous to your health. You are, therefore, warned not to attempt any of these exercises without consulting your doctor. Even with such approval, each exercise should be done in moderation and should not be performed if tired or to the point of fatigue or pain. Do not over exert yourself."
[edit] Cast
[edit] First season
- Sharon Bisset
- Laurie Briscoe
- Holly Butler
- Sue Carter
- Bess Motta
- Nicole Nardini
- Anne Schumacher
- Leslie Smith
- Arlaine Wright
[edit] Second season
- Michelle Brimacombe
- Ella Collins
- Sharon Hasfal
- Alison Hope
- Nerise Houghton
- Bess Motta
- Anne Schumacher
- Leslie Smith
- Arlaine Wright
- Joe Huband
