Jack LaLanne, fitness guru, dies at 96

Jack LaLanne, the seemingly eternal master of health and fitness who first popularized the idea that Americans should work out and eat right to retain youthfulness and vigor, has died. He was 96.

LaLanne died of respiratory failure due to pneumonia Sunday afternoon at his home in Morro Bay, Calif., his agent, Rick Hersh, told the Associated Press

Though for many years dismissed as merely a "muscle man" — a notion fueled to some extent by his amazing feats of strength — LaLanne was the spiritual father of the health movement that blossomed into a national craze of weight rooms, exercise classes and fancy sports clubs.

LaLanne opened what is commonly believed to be the nation's first health club, in Oakland in 1936. In the 1950s, he launched an early-morning televised exercise program keyed to housewives. He designed many now-familiar exercise machines, including leg extension machines and cable-pulley weights. And he proposed the then-radical idea that women, the elderly and even the disabled should work out to retain strength.

Full of exuberance and hyperbolic good cheer, LaLanne saw himself as a combination of cheerleader, rescuer and savior. And if his enthusiasm had a religious fervor to it, well, so be it.

"Well it is. It is a religion with me," he told What Is Enlightenment, a magazine dedicated to awareness, in 1999. "It's a way of life. A religion is a way of life, isn't it?"

"Billy Graham was for the hereafter. I'm for the here and now," he told The Times when he was almost 92, employing his usual rapid-fire patter.

Our complete news obituary can be found here.

--Claudia Luther

Photo: Known for his exuberance and good cheer, LaLanne saw himself as a combination cheerleader, rescuer and savior.

Comments

[Evelyne]

When I think of Jack Lalanne, I associate him with fond memories of my mother when I was a little girl. My mother who is now deceased would be watching his program on our black and white TV and follow his instructions. He was the only person I had ever seen on TV that motivated my mother to exercise at home. As a child, I respected him and thought he had amazing powers. I find it quite interesting that today the day of Jack Lalanne's death is the birthday of my son who is 23 and my grandson who is 13. A pioneer of fitness, Jack Lalanne led by example and lived until he was 96.

[Richard Bent]

We all have great memories of watching him with our moms in front of the B&W TV's. We bought one of his rubber stretch band exercisers and used it for years for all kinds of things including a kind of giant sling shot. He was part of the era of really good guys. Imagine all of the people who lived and will live longer lives because of what he did. We will miss him!

[margaux]

Jack LaLanne was a man ahead of his time. He had it right all along -- exercise, eat right....no special diets or fads. We'll miss you, Jack.

[Dave]

Jack is now on the other side of life;
because it is my undestanding, that
'life' - never ends; it always goes on.

We ate each given a body and soul;
that's a given, but it's how we treat
saide vessle that denotes what rank
in the great Angelic choir, heavenly
choir it is.

We are all going to heaven; WE will
all sit at the right hand of the Father.

ENJOY YOURSELF,
IT IS LATER THAN
WE THINK... 8.)

Thank you, Jack, for giving folks
PROOF that a vegetarian diet works.
May your fit body remain were you are
resting.

[Nicole aka @cuteculturechic]

RIP Jack LaLanne. A great American fitness icon. I grew up drinking organic juice thanks to him.

"I can't die. It would ruin my image."

[josie Iatomasi]

I loved jack he was Like a father to me, He influenced me to be in the health field I juiced every thing & got juicers for all my friends & family. Bye jack & I will meet you again in heaven as rev. Billy Graham said. We all loved you, you added goodness to many lives I know mine personally. Josie Iatomasi, Hilton n.y.

[Tom Arnold]

Thanks Jack for all those wonderful years of fitness and laughter. You, Your Spirit will be sorely missed. Grew up with you on that new found thing television. God Speed Mr. Fitness