Television Icon & Author: Inspiring Millions for Over 3 Decades
Jack LaLanne hosted The Jack LaLanne Show, the longest-running television exercise program, which aired from 1951 to 1985. The show began as a local broadcast in San Francisco and went national in 1959, quickly becoming a cultural phenomenon that brought fitness into living rooms across America. The show featured a minimalist set and Jack’s enthusiasm, along with his accessible exercise routines that encouraged viewers to use simple household items for their workouts. His wife, Elaine, and their dog, Happy, were often featured, engaging viewers of all ages and promoting exercise as a family activity.
Beyond his television show, Jack authored numerous books on fitness and wellness, offering guidance on embracing a healthy lifestyle and sharing the methods that kept him active and vibrant well into his later years. Even at 95, he released Live Young Forever, a book revealing his secrets for maintaining health, energy, and vitality throughout all stages of life.
Jack LaLanne’s name became synonymous with juicing, revolutionizing the industry through his widely popular juicer infomercials. His products, such as the iconic Jack LaLanne’s Power Juicer, became a staple in kitchens across America.
With sales exceeding $1 billion both at retail and online, Jack’s juicers enabled millions to incorporate fresh, nutritious juice into their diets, promoting the importance of a healthy lifestyle in households nationwide. His memorable catchphrase, "That's the power of the juice!" left a lasting impression, transforming juicing into a health movement that continues to be celebrated today.
Jack LaLanne earned the title "Godfather of Fitness" through his pioneering efforts to make exercise and good nutrition a way of life for everyone. In 1936, he opened one of the first fitness gyms in the U.S. in Oakland, California, which served as a prototype for many gyms that followed. Jack invented exercise machines such as the pulley system and the Smith machine, now commonly found in gyms worldwide. His influence also extended to bodybuilding and strength feats, famously defeating a 21-year-old Arnold Schwarzenegger in a push-up and chin-up competition when Jack was 54. Believing that age was no barrier to fitness, he continued his daily workouts, lifting weights for 1.5 hours and swimming for 30 minutes, even into his 90s.
Whether through the billion-dollar success of his juicers, his trailblazing TV show, or his remarkable feats of strength, Jack LaLanne’s influence is undeniable. As he would say, “Get up, get moving, and make the most of every single day!” His story continues to inspire people to pursue a healthier, more active life.
Jack LaLanne’s entire life was a testament to the power of discipline, dedication, and the right mindset to achieve peak health. He transformed the way people thought about exercise, making it accessible and essential for all ages and fitness levels. Jack’s legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched with his message of self-care, vitality, and the power of movement. He believed that everyone had the potential to live their best life and dedicated himself to helping others discover it.