The ‘80s and ‘90s might have been the golden age of the workout video, but decades later, a new generation of fitness fanatics is helping Americans break a sweat from the comfort of their own homes.
Enter Katie Austin — the daughter of legendary aerobics instructor Denise Austin — who’s bringing her mom’s iconic workout show back to life on her very own app.
The Post spoke to the four-time Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model about the lessons she’s learned from her mother, now 68, and what it feels like to follow in those perfectly toned footsteps.
The secret to strong bones
“One thing my mom has always told me is how important strength training is, especially as we get older, for bone density,” said Austin, 31, a certified personal trainer and former Division I lacrosse player.
This is particularly true for women, who are at a greater risk of developing osteoporosis due to naturally declining estrogen levels as they age.
In fact, of the estimated 10 million Americans affected by the condition, which causes bones to become weak and brittle, around 80% are female, per the Office on Women’s Health.
While muscle-building may be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about strength training, research shows it can do more than just tone your body.
The force placed on bones during strength training, especially with weight-bearing exercises, triggers bone-forming cells, making bones stronger and denser, according to Harvard Health.
This is crucial for combating age-related declines in bone mass and helps reduce the risk of fractures due to osteoporosis.
“As we age, we tend to focus on Pilates or low-impact workouts, but making sure you still do strength workouts is really important to stay strong and healthy overall,” Austin said.
“Even my mom strength trains about four times a week,” she added.
Inspiration strikes in the Bahamas
Austin was hit with some serious nostalgia during a recent trip to the Bahamas — a place she spent plenty of time as a kid, tagging along while her mom filmed her famous workout videos.
“I knew she filmed at Atlantis growing up, but I didn’t know that the hotel I was staying at was the same one,” Austin said. “When I got there, I took a photo of one of the gardens, and my mom called me and was like ‘I filmed there 35 years ago!’ I had no idea.”
That’s when inspiration struck. Austin set up her phone on a gym bag, hit record and recreated one of her mom’s classic fitness routines — right in the same spot where it all went down over three decades ago.
Austin posted the video on her social media — and it’s like seeing double. Her only regret? Not packing a white leotard to complete the full look.
“I would love to start traveling the world and do her exact recreation videos,” Austin said. “She saved all of her leotards and retroactive wear, so I could actually wear the same leotard in the same location, which is really cool.”
In the past, Austin and her mom have teamed up to host retreats, teach fitness classes, create workout content and even rock bikinis on the runway during Miami Swim Week.
A new era of fitness influencers
Austin said she’s “loving” following in her mom’s footsteps — but with her own twist.
“She had her own TV show, but that doesn’t really exist nowadays, so I’m kind of just doing it myself on my app,” Austin said. “It’s really cool to see how fitness has evolved so much from the 80s.”
Austin launched her app more than seven years ago, and it’s been a hit ever since, offering a library of over 400 home workout videos, plus nutritional tips and recipes — all tailored for people with busy lifestyles.
At $99.99 for an annual membership, The Katie Austin App offers a flexible, budget-friendly way to get fit — all for less than most gym memberships. Plus, you can get in shape without ever leaving your living room.
“When my mom’s show aired at 7 a.m. every single weekday, people had to tune in at that exact time,” Austin said. “Now, someone can do my workouts on demand any time, which is really amazing.”
