I just read the news in the Associated Press that Jack LaLanne passed at the age of 96.
For those of you who don't know Jack LaLanne, he was one of the pionners of the bodybuilding and fitness industry. Often called the "Godfather of Fitness", Jack LaLanne was the son of poor immigrant French parents who was so weak when he was young that his doctor advised he stayed home to recover his strength. His concerned mother attended a lecture from nutritionist Paul C. Bragg and that is when Jack's life changed. When the nutritionist told Jack that he was a walking garbage can due to all the bad sugary foods he consumed, Jack decided to change his life for the better. From that day on he became an avid student of anatomy, bodybuilding and weightlifting.
By age 18 he opened up a home bakery healthy bread business and a home gym where he trained firifighters and police officers. In 1936 he opened the Nation's First Health Club where he advocated bodybuilding exercise to both women and athletes, a revolutionary practice at the time. In 1951 he came up with the first exercise TV show in which he taught how to perform bodybuilding exercises in the comfort of the home. The show ran until 1985 when many at the time thought that the show would last only a few weeks! Also, amongst his several accomplishments are the winning of the 1955 Professional Mr. America.
When I think of Jack, there are a few of things that come to mind. Like myself, he believed that bodybuilding and fitness are a lifestyle that you do for as long as you breathe. He was so passionate about this lifestyle that he dedicated his whole life to teaching others on how to follow it. He led others by example doing around 90 minutes of weight training followed by 30 minutes of cardio every day. In addition, his last dessert was eaten somehwere around the 1930's!
Another thing that comes to mind when I think of Jack are his amazing feats of strength. I remember when I was little and in 1984 he swam 1 mile while towing 70 rowboats. Now, not only did he accomplish this incredible feat fighting currents and strong winds, but he was also handcuffed and shackled! Jack was 70 years young at the time. I was thoroughly impressed at the time and hoped that one day I could have such strength. I must say I still have years to go.
And a nice trivia detail that I will share with all of you is that if you use today a Smith Machine, a Leg Extension or a Cable Machine, it is Jack LaLanne who came up with the first design of all of these machines.
I could write a book about Jack accomplishments and contributions but instead I will provide with links to visit at the end of this blog.
I bid farewell to Jack LaLanne and thank him for all of his incredible contributions to bodybuilding and fitness, for being such a great role model, and for providing us with a great example of what the American Dream is all about. Wherever Jack LaLanne is right now, I'm sure that he is already working on getting everybody in better shape.
Special Thanks: Special thanks to my good friend Bill Kemp for bringing these news to my attention this morning.
More on Jack LaLanne
Comments
R.I.P. Jack
Jack is probably pulling 40 wagons with 4 people in each wagon, down the streets of gold, on roller skates.
We have lost a great leader in both exercise and nutrition.
i never knew him but from what Hugo has explained, its like Jack did a lot in the world of bodybuilding and helped take the sport to a whole new level.may his soul rest in peace.
I WORKED AT HIS CLUBS IN THE LATE 60′S. MET HIM IN MANHATTAN WHERE HE DID “WIND SPRINTS” UP AND DOWN THE HALLWAYS OF THE WALDORF ASTORIA!!
Sad to lose Jack Lalanne. I always enjoyed his promotions on the TV shopping channels and have one of his superb juicers as a result. Interesting though that despite his fitness and diet regime he died no older than many of his contemporaries who eschewed such a lifestyle and did all the things we are told not to!
RIP Jack.
Correction on the last entry. Jack died at the age of 96. Just a little over 1% of of folks live that long. His example of diet and exercise worked for him pretty well I’d say!