Jack Lalanne
Fitness Legend
Previously Aired On: October 23, 2007 - Listen to the Show!
Jack La Lanne turns 93 on September 26, 2007, and is often called the “Godfather of Fitness”. He gained worldwide renown for his success as a bodybuilder, as well as his prodigious feats of strength such as doing a 1000 pushups in 22 minutes or being handcuffed and swimming treacherous ocean currents while towing 10 boats filled with people. He has won numerous awards, including the Horatio Alger Award from the Association of Distinguished Americans, and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Jack admits it was not always this way. “As a kid,” he flatly states, “I was a sugarholic and a junk food junkie! It made me weak and it made me mean. It made me so sick I had boils, pimples and suffered from nearsightedness. Little girls used to beat me up. My mom prayed… the church prayed.”
It was at the age of 15 when he heard pioneer nutritionist Paul Bragg speak at the Oakland City Women’s Club in the San Francisco Bay Area that Jack finally realized he was addicted to sugar. Bragg promised Jack if he would exercise and eat a proper diet he could regain good health. Jack listened attentively and was fiercely determined to walk away from that lecture ready to build a totally new Jack La Lanne.
He discovered that the Berkeley YMCA had a set of weights and began experimenting with them and before long, Jack was able to attain the muscular, healthy body of his dreams. “I became a voracious reader and I absorbed everything that would help me to improve myself. Gray’s Anatomy was my bible. During college, I studied pre-med to become a medical doctor and I also went to chiropractic college and graduated; however, I was more interested in helping people by convincing them to take preventative measures, before they became ill.”
Resolving to help others find the secrets to health and fitness, La Lanne opened the nation’s first modern health studio in 1936 on the third floor of an old office building in Oakland, California, paying $45 per month for rent. Jack was a mere 21 years old. “I was 40 years ahead of my time,” he said, “but by then I knew more about the workings of the muscles in my body than most doctors. People thought I was a charlatan and a nut,” Jack says. “The doctors were against me - they said that working out with weights would give people heart attacks and they would lose their sex drive. Women would look like men and even varsity coaches predicted that their athletes would get muscle bound and banned them from lifting weights. I had to give these athletes keys so they could come in at night and work out in my gym.
Time has proven that what I was doing was scientifically correct - starting with a healthy diet followed by systematic exercise, and today everyone knows it. All world class athletes now work out with weights, as do many members of the general public, both male and female.”
Over time, Jack began to formulate a basic approach to physical fitness and nutrition. His methods would be scientifically sound as he developed the first prototypes of exercise equipment presently available in contemporary health spas. His inventions include: the first leg extension machine and the first pulley machines using cables, and the first weight selectors. He was the first to have women work out with weights and he also encouraged the disabled and elderly to exercise for health. “There are 640 muscles in the human body,” Jack explains, “and I take every one of them into account as I plan each exercise routine.”
Jack’s reputation began to spread and by the early 1950’s, he was given the opportunity to utilize the new medium of television to reach even more people. Ever the innovator, Jack used television to reach out to millions of Americans everywhere with his gospel message of get out of your chair, work out and feel better. He was magnetic and the public responded! His motivational message spread across the country like wildfire and his show was an instant nationwide hit!
Jack La Lanne believes in daily, vigorous, systematic exercise and proper diet. “My top priority in life is my workout each day.” Jack lives by what he says to others, and he has been doing it for over 75 years. Much of what Jack has advocated through his teaching and beliefs has become common knowledge today. Today’s doctors and fitness experts all acknowledge daily systematic and proper diet as the principle keys to a longer healthier life.
Jack’s wife, Elaine, has written four books including Dynastride, Fitness After 50 and Fitness After 50 Workout, as well as a juicing book called Total Juicing. Jack has millions of fans all over the world who have followed his philosophy and have benefited from his teachings. Jack’s book, Revitalize Your Life, is geared toward improving your looks, health and overall well being.
Jack’s newest book is “Cooking with Jack” packed full of healthy and delicious recipes. Starting Monday, September 17 from 9-10am and every Monday at the same time Jack’s new radio show can be heard on VoiceAmerica
For Jack Lalanne books, DVD’s, and other memorabilia please visit: http://www.jacklalanne.com
