For legendary fitness expert Jack LaLanne, working out wasn't a hobby, it was a way of life. The California-born exercise guru died Sunday of respiratory failure at the age of 96. He was just a teenager when he found his niche in the world, taking up an interest in staying fit when he was 15. LaLanne studied at the Oakland Chiropractic College in San Francisco, and went on to open his first health spa in Oakland in 1936. Through the years, LaLanne would open several hundred more gyms, eventually licensing all of his health clubs to Bally Total Fitness. Along the way LaLanne found several other successful ways to market himself, including his long-running workout program "The Jack LaLanne Show." LaLanne also released several books and videos about fitness, as well as the "Jack LaLanne Power Juicer," which continues to be a popular item.
Jack LaLanne's dedication to staying healthy led to his induction into the National Fitness Hall of Fame in 2005. He was also inducted into the California Hall of Fame in 2008, and has received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. LaLanne's passion for fitness never waned, as he continued his daily workouts until his passing over the weekend.
