Killer Workout (1987)


When I see certain names in opening credits I start to get concerned.  The name David A. Prior - the writer and director of Killer Workout, aka Aerobicide - seemed slightly familiar to me.  So did one of the lead actors, Ted Prior, the director's brother.  I think what distracted me a bit was the fact I saw Michael Beck in a part, although it turned out to be a different Michael Beck than I was thinking.  There are also some boobs right off the bat and those always grab my attention.  Still, I wish I would have recalled who David A. Prior was, as I would have known a bit more what to expect. 

Rhonda (Marcia Karr) is the owner of Rhonda's Workout, a popular health spa and aerobics studio.  She is frequently hit on by weight instructor Jimmy Hallik (Fritz Matthews) and has to deal with a non-punctual instructor in Jaimy (Teresa Van der Woude).  Still, things are going well for her, at least until one of her customers turns up dead.  

The death draws the attention of Lieutenant Morgan (David Campbell) as well as that of a new employee named Chuck Dawson (Ted Prior), whom Rhonda's partner hires right after the first death.  Soon, people are dying left and right, including some kids who think it's fun to vandalize the place.  Since Jimmy has an obsession with Rhonda he soon becomes the main suspect.  However, Morgan has suspicions it may be someone no one is looking at. 

David A. Prior is the director behind one of the worst movies I have ever seen: Sledgehammer.  It is a shot-on-video horror film that makes little sense and shows no skill whatsoever when it comes to making a movie.  It is also mind-numbingly dull.  By this point Prior had improved, shooting on actual film and pretty much staying on plot.  He is aware of who his audience is and makes sure there are plenty of aerobics scenes, focusing on crotches, breasts and butts.  I remember the aerobics craze and, while it did make an impression on many young men, I also remember a fair less amount of grinding.  There is actual nudity as well but it is obvious the oversexualized exercising is meant to make up for the fact that Prior couldn't get away with showing more.

What gets ridiculous as the movie goes on is these dance segments continue even as bodies are being hauled out of the spa.  In reality just one body can pretty much shut a place down for a day or two, while multiples are a guarantee that anyone not being investigated should expect a long vacation.  Here they just keep showing up despite everyone working out fits the growing description of those who are murdered.  Also, they are murdered with an oversized safety pin.  The killer occasionally grabs a knife or a dumbbell, but almost always it's a safety pin.

The acting isn't good.  Neither is the actual direction, and the plot gets unnecessarily convoluted as well.  This may be a bit enjoyable to watch around friends in a certain state, but I would suggest Death Spa instead if craving something along these lines.  

Killer Workout (1987)
Time: 85 minutes
Starring: Marcia Karr, David Campbell, Ted Prior, Fritz Matthews
Director: David A. Prior


 

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