Pumping music, beautiful Sydney beaches and equally sunny instructors. No wonder iconic TV favourite Aerobics Oz Style is making a blockbuster comeback online.
Boasting more than three million views since it was recently uploaded on YouTube – with a strong following on Instagram and TikTok too – the groundbreaking lifestyle program clearly still has legs.
But that’s no surprise to producer Harry Michaels or super-toned trainers Wendi Carroll, Taryn Polovin and Helen Tardent, who remain great ambassadors for a spot of early morning get up and go.
READY TO WORK IT
“I honestly think the show will never die,” grins Harry, whose cutting-edge home fitness creation screened for more than 4500 episodes from 1982 to 2005 and was syndicated to millions around the world.
“I always believed in a simple philosophy – if people can exercise for just half an hour a day they’ll keep coming back, because they’ll see the results.”
Harry, who cut his TV teeth as an actor on top-rating Aussie soap Number 96, reckons that’s why the vintage workouts stay relevant.
It’s not just the soundtrack, gorgeous landscapes or skimpy fluoro costumes, which were all inspired by a Michaels family holiday in Hawaii.
“One morning I was walking along the beach when I saw a television crew filming an aerobics program,” admits the veteran broadcaster and entrepreneur.
“I loved what I saw and immediately thought Australia needed something like it.
“When I returned to Sydney I called my production team together and said, ‘Let’s make our own version.’ People often say there’s nothing new under the sun, and I agree. Success comes down to how you execute an idea.
“Our instructors were exceptional and many of them are still teaching today, like Wendi, Taryn and Helen, because they truly know their craft. They know how to motivate people, they know how to get results, and they genuinely care about helping Australians get fit.”
MOTIVATED TO MOVE
In its heyday, the Aerobics Oz Style catchcry, “Come on, we’re waiting for you!” rallied viewers in more than 50 countries to get up and get moving at the crack of dawn.
Cast and crew made 20 half-hour episodes in just two days, a hefty workload that forged lifetime friendships.
“So many amazing memories,” laughs Taryn, now a 48-year-old mother-of-three.
“Most of them are memories of the times in between takes when we were all in the makeup truck, just having fun.”
Helen, 55, recalls close encounters with a baby alligator at the Australian Reptile Park and snakes at Taronga Zoo.
“There was so much happiness behind the scenes. The show gave me a wonderful community of kind and loving cast and crew members. And it was a vital resource for parents who couldn’t leave the house, allowing them to fit in a quick workout before their day began.”
COVID COMEBACK
During Covid, Ten started showing Aerobics Oz Style repeats, seeing a demand for fun, colourful, at-home workouts.
Wendi, 66, smiles, “That comeback through lockdown brought joy into people’s lives. I think that’s the magic of the show. It’s informative, effective but mostly good fun!”
After the pandemic, however, the show was dropped again.
“Ten felt they had achieved what they wanted,” says 66-year-old Harry, whose wife Effie created all the costumes worn by the Aerobics Oz Style team.
“What surprised me was the incredible response from the public. There was so much interest and excitement around the show.
“That’s when I thought, ‘There’s life after television.’ I decided to upload the show to YouTube and the response has been phenomenal. We’ve had more than 19,000 subscribers on one YouTube platform.
“It proved to me that Aerobics Oz Style still has a loyal audience and continues to find new generations of fans.”
Visit aerobicsozstyle.com.au
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