Secrets to Staying Young Jack LaLanne Shows the Way at Age 95

posted by: FitcomHealth.com

October 3, 2009 -- Fitness pioneer Jack LaLanne celebrates his 95th birthday on September 25, 2009 and also published his latest book "Live Young Forever." For the kickoff of the book, LaLanne joked on CBS's "The Early Show" he can't afford to die; it would "wreck my image."

At age 95, he lift weights and swims every day. But he confesses that it's an image and ego thing with him. Ordinary people don't need to exercise to that extreme.

"I can't afford to die; it would wreck my image."

~ Jack LaLanne

At age 95, Jack LaLanne (above) still works out with weights and swims every day.

The book is most likely ghost written by Robert Kennedy and not LaLanne himself, but does contain LaLanne's 12 steps to optimum health, nutrition and exercise. It a composition of his deepest beliefs. And who can quarrel with success, at age 95, he is truly ageless and sharp as a tack.

LaLanne has been dubbed the "Godfather of fitness." Exercise and proper nutrition has been the foundation of his advise to all. He was one of the first to advise athletes to build strength to perform better in sports which was revolutionary in its day.

He's also a man of many other firsts: he opened the first health spa, and encouraged women to hit the gym. LaLanne opened what is believed to be the nation's first health club in 1936 in Oakland.

In his prime, he set records for the most chin-ups and push-up. And as he got older, his feats got bolder. At the age of 70, he towed 70 boats with 70 people for a mile and a half, handcuffed and shackled.

As he got even older he wanted to perform similar feats but Elaine had to put her foot down, he got the point.

He got his degree at Oakland chiropractic College. He chose chiropractic school, because he wanted to learn about the muscles and bones, he was the first one in physical fitness and personal training.

Jack LaLanne has always been quick with a quip. Here are just a few of his many "LaLannisms":

At any age, you can still change your life and improve your life.
You have to work at living.
This body was made for activity. You have to use it.
You only have to exercise for 30 minutes but you have to do it vigorously, change your routine after each month.
Age isn't the killer, inactivity is the killer.
If man made it, don't eat it! (stick to natural foods).
The only thing good about the donut is the hole in the middle.
Your waistline is your lifeline.
Put your muscle where your mouth is (Just do it).
Do - don't stew.
First we inspire them, then we perspire them.
I can't die, it would ruin my image.
Exercise is king; nutrition is queen. Put 'em together and you've got a kingdom!
Circuit training is terrific and work one group of muscles and you go to another group of muscle to work all the muscles in the body. You have 640 muscles and they all need their share of work.

And if you ever worked out, you probably used one of his inventions. In the early days he had to design machines to exercise certain muscles. This was before sports medicine. Even the term "Jumping Jack" was named after him.

Back in an era when exercise was not only not popular, it was discouraged by the medical community. LaLanne launched a TV show teaching people how to exercise at home. It was the first and longest running TV exercise program, "The Jack LaLanne Show." and ran for 34 years.

"I was on the air for 34 years. I have one thing on my mind to help people to help themselves." Said LaLanne.

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