Godfather of fitness movement was truly one of a kind

By Jim Evans

I FIRST MET JACK LALANNE on his birthday — Sept. 26 — in 1968 at the grand opening of the European Health Spa in Dublin, Ohio. Of course, I had grown up with Jack, watching him on TV with my mother in the ’50s, but it is something else when you get to meet a legend in person.

Several hundred people had gathered to see the new club but, more importantly, they wanted to meet the guest of honor — the “godfather of fitness.” Small in stature — he stood only about 5 feet, 6 inches tall — Jack was “big” in personality, with a terrific sense of humor.

As he was about to speak to the crowd, a very large woman elbowed her way rudely to the front of the room to see the fitness icon up close. The crowd grumbled audibly but parted so she could get by, curious about her purpose.

Finally, face to face with Jack, she looked him up and down and appeared noticeably crestfallen.

“Why,” she said with disappointment, “you’re not any bigger than my husband.”

“That’s right,” replied Jack with a big grin. “The difference with me is that everything still works.”

The crowd roared with laughter, and Jack gave the woman a big hug.

I ran into Jack many times during my 44 years in the fitness industry, and he was always the same outgoing, friendly, fun-loving guy with a positive attitude about life. While many so-called fitness experts have had more academic “credentials” or “titles” than Jack, no one could sell the concept of physical fitness with more natural enthusiasm — more passion — than he. He made exercise fun.

Who could forget when, in 1974 at the age of 60, he swam from Alcatraz Island to Fisherman’s Wharf — handcuffed, shackled and towing a 1,000-pound boat? Not only did he demonstrate time and again with his amazing physical feats that age was not a factor in one’s ability to accomplish great things, he made look like it was no big deal.

For years Jack had a standing bet of $10,000 with anyone who could keep up with him on his workout. I had several friends try; none could even last 20 minutes with the human dynamo. You see, Jack didn’t stop to rest after each exercise — he just kept on going. He was the original Energizer Bunny, long before it became an icon if its own!

I remember interviewing Jack on the phone him for a series of articles in 1996, and he jokingly admonished me for not using a tape recorder. “You’ll never get all of this, Jim,” he said, laughing. “I talk too fast, and I have too much for you to say to write it all down anyway.”

He was right. While I did manage to capture the essence of what he said, I could never convey in writing the raw energy — the gusto — with which he said it.

Jack’s grand-nephew, Chris LaLanne, later worked for me as a personal trainer at my health club, the Peninsula Athletic Club in San Diego. A strapping young man with a chiseled physique like his uncle, Chris is now the successful owner of LaLanne Fitness Powered by Crossfit in San Francisco, where he promotes the fitness lifestyle with the same fervor as his Uncle Jack.

And just last year, Chris and his wife Maribel gave birth to a son — whom they appropriately named Jackson (Jack) Drake LaLanne. The kid has a tough act to follow, but he definitely has the genes.

To say that Jack LaLanne will be missed is an understatement. “Better to wear out than rust out,” he always said. Rust was never a problem for Jack because he was always too busy living. Now, he’s probably teaching angels how to do jumping jacks.

Jim Evans is a 44-year veteran of the health and fitness industry and internationally recognized fitness consultant. He is a former Benicia resident.