Aerobics: Aerobics was a major part of the fitness craze that swept the western world in the 80s. Stars like Jane Fonda, Olivia Newton-John and Victoria Principal from Dallas led the charge in neon Lycra, sweatbands and legwarmers – Fonda’s workout book and video were bestsellers while Newton-John’s pumping music video for Let’s Get Physical reminded everyone that fitness equated with sexiness and improved your chances of getting laid. Principal’s intentional pun in the title of her exercise video, The Body Principal, put the emphasis for sexiness where it would remain for the following decades – on the body. While exercise is still a priority for many people, the aerobics craze eventually suffered the malady that hit many of its devoted followers – burn out.

Brat Pack: When movies in the 80s zeroed in on youth, a new generation of actors sprang up almost overnight. The hottest young stars were a group of inspired performers known as the Brat Pack (harking back to Sinatra and friends, who were known as the Rat Pack). They included Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy, Rob Lowe and Demi Moore. The movies that brought them fame included St Elmo’s Fire, Breakfast Club and Pretty in Pink. The Brat Pack dominated Hollywood and the gossip columns through the 80s, but many had careers that burned out as fast as their movie characters.
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