High-intensity exercise routines at a Los Angeles studio incorporate slicing motions, replicas of plastic chainsaws, and clips of serial killer footage
In the heart of Burbank, California, a unique fitness experience is taking the city by storm. Killer Fitness, a horror-themed workout studio, offers an adrenaline-pumping workout that combines traditional fitness exercises with spooky elements inspired by classic horror movies.
The concept, known as "Slashercise", has been designed to make fitness fun, immersive, and less intimidating. Participants perform an hour-long fitness class featuring movements that mimic iconic horror film scenes, using props such as plastic chainsaws and fake knives. The workout environment includes looping clips of horror characters like Freddy Krueger and Pinhead, creating an eerie atmosphere that's hard to resist.
Slashercise was inspired by a 2017 art installation called "Slashback Video" and an underground classic, "Linnea Quigley's Horror Workout." Initially created as a fake horror film concept, it gained real popularity through streaming platforms like Shudder's "The Last Drive-In With Joe Bob Briggs," leading to the launch of the actual workout class.
Since opening in May 2025, Killer Fitness has grown in popularity, offering about 20 classes per week. Alongside Slashercise, the studio also offers themed workouts like "Horror Yoga" and "Fitness Ghouls." The studio also hosts film screenings and community events, cultivating a growing community of horror enthusiasts and fitness fans.
Co-owner Vanessa Decker, also known online as "Horror Vixen," has played a significant role in building the studio's following. Her artistic collaborations with fellow co-owner Ama Lea, who designs the workout wear, have boosted the visibility and appeal of Slashercise both locally and through social media.
The hour-long Slashercise sessions focus on core work and are an homage to the retro, repetitive style of '80s workout videos. The studio's decor is '80s themed, with plenty of neon and fake blood, creating a campy and immersive atmosphere.
Fitness fans can outfit themselves in apparel from Killer Fitness's on-site store or document their post-workout glow in the vintage photo booth. The studio also offers a version of pilates called "Flexorcism," billed as "die-namic." For those seeking a dance workout, TERRORTwist offers cardio choreography from cult favorites like "Thriller," "Little Shop of Horrors," and "The Rocky Horror Picture Show."
Killer Fitness also offers a yoga-inspired class called "Corpse Pose Killer," promising a breathless, sweaty, and empowering experience. The goal of "The Final Girl" move in Slashercise is to mimic the horror archetype of the lone female survivor who confronts the killer and lives to tell the tale.
Despite its dark undertones, Killer Fitness is designed to be welcoming and inviting. It's more than just a workout; it's a social and horror cultural experience that's gaining popularity among fitness fans and horror lovers alike.
- Killer Fitness, located in Burbank, California, has incorporated mental health elements into its unique fitness experience by offering themed workouts such as "Corpse Pose Killer," providing a breathless, sweaty, and empowering experience for participants.
- In line with the home-and-garden lifestyle, Killer Fitness offers an on-site store, selling fitness apparel and memorabilia, allowing fitness fans to outfit themselves in the studio's signature style.
- The studio's commitment to holistic health and wellness goes beyond physical fitness, as evidenced by their hosting of film screenings, community events, and yoga-inspired classes, such as "Corpse Pose Killer," fostering a sense of community among horror enthusiasts and fitness fans alike.
