Living Exercise Legend Inspires Fitness for All

[Editor's Note: This has been reposted from Aug. 20, 2010, when it was first published on Albany Patch, in honor of Jack LaLanne's death on Jan. 23, 2011.]

I've got to be honest. As a kid in the 70s and 80s, when my record-collecting friend and I came across a copy of Jack LaLanne's 1959 classic fitness album Glamour Stretcher Time, the only exercise benefit we derived was splitting our sides laughing. The blue vinyl, stretchy cord, whimsical organ music, and "glamour" moves all conspired to create a perfect storm of hokiness for our 15-year-old minds. But now I revere the dude.

Why Jack LaLanne?

"Jack LaLanne has dedicated his life to helping others acquire the physical well-being he found for himself... to help the millions who watch him on TV to look better and feel better through scientific exercise and sensible diet," read the liner notes on Jack's album, which my juvenile eyes glossed over. It was easy to write him off as a fanatic, of interest mainly to housewives.

But the culture of fitness that he inspired in this country over the past 70+ years is applicable to any demographic and make Jack truly worthy of the "godfather of fitness" moniker. His message of health eventually percolated into me and is likely the origin of my fitness ethic (thanks Mom!).

A Collective Feat of Strength

Three years ago I came across a rumor that Jack was going to attempt another amazing feat of strength for his 95th birthday (he always did his feats on his birthday). I thought it would be a nice change for all of us spectators to get out and do something with Jack this time, as a tribute for all he's done as a fitness icon. The rumor of his nonagenarian feat plan turned out to be false, but it inspired TeamLaLanne.org, a website I created that recognizes Jack's long-term maintenance of vitality and fitness throughout his life (he'll be 96 this year, still works out) as his most amazing feat of all.

A National Day of Fitness 

A website tribute is all well and good, but a better affirmation of Jack's message and birthay gift to him would be to declare his birthday, Sept. 26, a National Day of Health when we all vow to do something positive for our own fitness and nutrition, and commit to performing a personal feat of strength done either solo or as a group. So I've been promoting Jack LaLanne Day and, in 2009, organized the first official group feat of strength: a bicycle tour in the East Bay + San Francisco covering sites of historical significance to Jack's career, including special fitness station stops and an optional swim in the Bay. You can read about the route on the events page and see some photos. The second annual JLLDay will be held next month, with a similar plan.

A single day dedicated to health and fitness really isn't enough, so in 2010, I declared the 26th day of each month to be a JLLDay "check-in" day to reaffirm our own personal health improvement commitment and encourage the JLLDay attitude throughout the year. To help all of us from sitting so much, I hold a small group workout on these days in the East Bay or in SF that are short, free and fun. All interested and able bodies are welcome to join me. See the JLLDay.org events page or connect with the JJLDay Facebook page for details about the next event.

Inspiring Thoughts

My promotion of fitness is all a part of a spare time project of mine called TeamHuman.org, a public benefit organization registered in Albany. You can read more about the rationale behind the fitness focus here.  

Jack's words from 50 years ago in his "tribute to America" video now playing at JackLaLanne.com remain staggeringly relevant today as we struggle to bring down healthcare costs and recover economically and are worth repeating here (paraphrasing):

It's all-important for you and I to set examples to show people what can be done about physical fitness, and to educate and help everyone you come into contact with about the mental and physical benefits of fitness... This will help make America the great, wonderful nation that our forefathers sought out to make it. If you get out of condition and I'm out of condition, then America is sick. Let's make it well.