In a recent morning of 90 degrees, a dozen girls and a couple of boys of different ages and sizes, some wear extravagant leg heaters and spandex, are outside a strong and black pink store.
They are about to fight for their lives and try their resistance during an hour training like no other. While they jump, kick and hit, threatening monsters and serial killers (“Hellraiser” Pin head, Freddy Krueger from “A Nightmare on Elm Street”) It appears behind them, conceded on a giant video screen.
Will Slashcise's food survive?
Vanessa Decker, Center, teaches “Slashcise” in his state of studio murderous fitness.
(Juliana Yamada / Los Angeles Times)
The firm class in the new training space called Killer Fitness, which functions as a gift store full of clothing and movie memories, is directed by co -owner Vanessa Decker. She rocks the Campy brand sets of the study, some with blood splash designs, others with fangs and skulls, while demonstrating movements that remember iconic screaming scenes.
“Horror movies are a form of adrenaline pump escapism and is also the exercise,” says Decker, when he was asked how the idea of merge horror and physical condition arose. “I don't know, it just works!”
In the direction of the clock needles from the left: horror theme accessories decorate merchandise walls in the training of Studio Killer Fitness. Ama Lea holds the false “Slashercise” movie he did. Vanessa Decker, loves Lea and Nadia Teichmann speak after the “Slashcise” class. (Juliana Yamada / Los Angeles Times)
But true physicality is also needed. There are stading actions and struggle movements for his life while Decker throws petrifying words, causing the class to laugh between the huffs and the puffs.
There are also accessories: plastic chainsaws and false knives, which may seem touches of Schlocky but helps with strength training. The repetitive movements, inspired by the old tapes of Jane Fonda and Richard Simmons, burn calories and tone muscles. After my first class, my arms, thighs and calves were sore for days.
Killer Fitness opened in May in the hope that the growing popularity of horror at the box office could translate to this third unique space in person. Offers 20 exercise classes per week (available in Class pin) and organizes projections of night films with panels and questions and answers. The daily and nocturnal offerings are part of a larger creepy universe that helped Decker become a creator of testimony online, accumulating 133,000 followers through it “Horror bitchInstagram identity.
The co -owner of Killer Fitness, Vanessa Decker, on the left, and loves read.
(Juliana Yamada / Los Angeles Times)
Decker and his partner loves to read in “Slashback video“, An art installation of 2017 that recreated a vintage video store environment at the Mystic Museum, a horror center in Burbank..“
“It all started with the horror training of 'Linnea Quigley,'” Lea says, who designed the piece in tribute to the underground classic of actress B-Movie. “He was a Queen of Scream, but his training video was mostly funny sketches, how to make aerobics with zombies and things. We started talking about making a true training film with horror songs with Vanessa starring and I directing me: the concept was a slasher film that had real routines between. We received horror celebrities to be in him and finally we found our narration.”
A silly poster hangs on the water source, underlining the sense of humor of the study.
(Juliana Yamada / Los Angeles Times)
“Slashersise”, the 2024 film, presents a serial killer called “Meathead” (his head is literally a piece of raw beef) to the instructors in a Los Angeles gym. Routines are spliced in practical effects of low budget, Gore and Gags, inspired by other horror films with physical conditioning issues such as “Death Spa”, “Body Melt” and “Killer Workout”.
The couple obtained impulse for the DVD after appearing in the Shudder horror transmission service “The last motor WWith Joe Bob Briggs“(The hosts make cameos) and soon, fans began to ask where they could experiment Slashersise really.
Last year, in Summer cryA popular Los Angeles terror convention presented training sketches and had a conversation that changed their lives with the owners of dark delicacies, the retail retail, known by the collectibles and the spooky comics.
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7:18 PM July 30, 2025An earlier version of this article described Kay Elyse as a silent partner. She is a third couple.
The owners of the Y Sue Howison planned to close after three decades in business and offered Lea and Decker (and his partner Kay Elyse) first Dibs in their retail space for the Campy Cardio concept.
FAst forward a year later, and Killer Fitness is now a bustling brick and mortar shop with a boutique of horror and exercise experiences on the subject. “Horror Yoga” focuses on restorative stretching, while “Fitness Ghouls” offers low impact exercise.
Angel Strong, Nadia Teichmann and Aimee Torres take “Slashercise” in the training of Studio Killer Fitness.
(Juliana Yamada / Los Angeles Times)
“Terortwist”, a high energy dance training, feels like a rigorous trial. Mashing Tunes de Lady Gaga (“Zombieboy”) and she wants revenge (“beg and approach the class.
“The murderous fitness is special to me because it is inclusive, without judgment, and it is only a group of people who have a horror obsession that combines it in the exercise,” says Roxie Rose, a makeup artist and tattoo that frequents Shrner's class. “This is the place I am going to have fun and get away from everyday life.”
“We are here for everyone and for all body types,” adds Lea, who also designs the training wear of the store in a wide range of sizes. “That is very important for us. Of course, most people who enter are fans of terror too.”
But you don't have to be obsessed with frightful food to fit. Killer aptitude is a celebration of nostalgic pop culture and the community that connects with it. And dominating movements as a fierce “final girl” is feasible with effort and consistency. (All instructors are certified by the American Exercise Council).
Decker differentiates the murderous aptitude of the gyms of the chain, which she calls bright and annoying. “Exercise can be discouraging, so we only want it to feel cozy,” he says, and adds that there are thematic training in everything, such as goat yoga.
“So why not a gym for horror fans?”
Vanessa Decker meets a chainsaw accessory after teaching “Slashercise”.
(Juliana Yamada / Los Angeles Times)
