Killer Fitness: From Slasher Film to Fitness Phenomenon
Walking into Killer Fitness feels less like entering a gym and more like stepping into a neon-soaked movie set. Pink and purple lights bounce off mirrored walls, mannequins wear vintage aerobics gear, and horror memorabilia lines every corner. Beyond the racks of blood-splattered tees and VHS tapes is a workout floor where final girls are made.
It is all part of the world dreamed up by Ama Lea, Vanessa Decker, and Kay Thomsen, three women who turned their shared love of horror, film, and fitness into something entirely new.
It all began in 2015, when filmmaker and costume designer Ama Lea created a spoof of Linnea Quigley’s Horror Workout for an art show at Mystic Impact Video. “All the art pieces were on VHS covers,” she said. “So I did a spoof of that with my friend Sarah. We called it Slashercise. Vanessa also had a piece at that show, and we started talking. I was like, we should actually make this a real video.”
When the DIY film premiered, it became a cult hit. “People started asking us if they could do classes in person,” Ama said. “So we started trying to figure that out.”
Soon after, the owners of Dark Delicacies, a beloved local horror shop, told them they were retiring and offered the team the space. Vanessa told us, “A fun fact is that when Ama wrote the script for Slashercise, I named the gym in it ‘Killer Fitness.’ So it’s actually in our DVD. A year and a half later, it became real.”
Located in Burbank, just near the city’s famous Horror Row, Killer Fitness has become a new kind of destination for horror fans and fitness lovers.
“When someone walks in the door, it’s really cool because we see their reaction,” said Kay. “There are so many things for them to look at. People expect it to be a regular gym, but then they walk in and see neon lights and purple and pink and teal.”
“Horror in general kind of feels like a boys club,” added Ama. “We wanted to create a space that’s like a sorority for horror girls, a comfortable, inclusive space. We have all people take classes, but it feels safe and welcoming, especially for women.”
The team designed the space to feel fun and free of judgment. “We made these 80s glass panels specifically so people could work out without feeling like they were in a zoo,” Kay said. “We want everyone to feel comfortable, especially people who don’t feel that way in traditional gyms.”
Each class at Killer Fitness blends real fitness with campy fun. “If you take my class or you take Vanessa’s class, Slashercise or Fitness Ghouls, the horror is the biggest component,” Kay said. “They’re novelty classes, full of puns and props, and very theatrical. But people still leave sweaty.”
Beyond those, the studio offers yoga, Pilates, kickboxing, dance aerobics, and more. Costumes are always encouraged. “You could come in wearing Freddy Krueger for all we care,” Vanessa said. Some people even bring their own prop weapons to work out with. If you feel like wearing a costume, do it. No one’s going to judge.
Since taking over the former Dark Delicacies location, Killer Fitness has quickly become a hub for horror fans. “They were in business for 30-plus years, so it already felt legendary,” Vanessa said. “Now, we’ve been tossed into that mix. It’s cool that our place adds something new.”
Every Sunday, the studio hosts ticketed film screenings on its 16-foot projection screen with appearances from actors and directors, including guests from The Last House on the Left and Terrifier.
This October, the team is adding even more events for fans to join:
10/18: Totally Killer Market ’84 – a pop-up horror market featuring small businesses
10/22: Pop Culture Hell – a free comedy show
10/29: Terror Two Step – horror-themed line dancing
Use code 13STRANGE for a discount on any in-studio class pack.
“I think the biggest thing I’ve seen is making waves through the inclusivity of the workout,” Kay said. “If you have a human body, you can work it out. This workout is for literally everyone.”
“I think it’s fun when you can add a different element to a workout,” Vanessa added. “When you tell someone to grab a chainsaw off the wall, their face lights up.”
Ama summed it up best: “We came into this space wanting to make sure the female and LGBTQIA voices in the horror community were heard. We’re welcoming everyone, in a big neon-drenched way.”
At Killer Fitness, workouts are more than exercise. They’re connection, creativity, and a celebration of everything weird and wonderful.
Welcome to Killer Fitness. Let’s get physical, besties.
Visit Killer Fitness
📍 4216 W. Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA
🕸️ killerfitnessla.com
🎥 Instagram: @killerfitnessla
