RIP Jack LaLanne: Sept. 26, 1914 – January 23, 2011.

Jack LaLanne passed away Sunday, at the age of 96. If you’re not familiar with Jack, he may be the true pioneer of fitness. He brought exercise to our living rooms. He showed women it was okay to lift weights and encouraged it. He was a true Pioneer. As trainers, we owe allot to the “Father of Fitness” As a kid I remember watching Jack and his dog Happy doing all these crazy exercises on TV and tried in vain to do a couple pushups.

He was years ahead of his time in realizing the importance of fitness and eating correctly. He tried very hard to get America off red meat, smoking and alcohol, he knew way back then we were killing ourselves………… Even back in his day he knew what it took to be healthy

Some of his many quotes: “Exercise is King, nutrition is Queen, put them together and you’ve got a kingdom”. “People don’t die of old age, they die of inactivity”. Like I Said, way ahead of his time!

When LaLanne turned 43 in 1957, he performed more than 1,000 push-ups in 23 minutes on the "You Asked For It" television show, that was just one of many accomplishments.

Just a few more feats:

1959 Age 45: Completed 1,000 pushups and 1,000 chin-ups in 1 hours and 22
minutes. “Happy” is born and The Jack LaLanne Show goes nationwide

1974 Age 60: Swam from Alcatraz Island to Fisherman’s Wharf, for a second time handcuffed, shackled and towing a 1,000-pound boat.

1975 Age 61: Swam the length of the Golden Gate Bridge, underwater, for a second time handcuffed, shackled and towing a 1,000-pound boat.

1976 Age 62: Commemorating the “Spirit of ‘76”, swam 1 mile in Long Beach Harbor, handcuffed, shackled and towing 13 boats (representing the 13 original colonies) containing 76 people.

1979 Age 65: Towed 65 boats filled with 6,500-pounds of Lousiana Pacific wood pulp while handcuffed and shackled in Lake Ashinoko, near Tokyo, Japan.

LaLanne’s contributions to fitness will never be forgotten, as they revolutionized the industry.

Rest in peace, Jack.