JACK LALANNE and CHARLES ATLAS were among the first bodybuilding "influencers".

"It doesn't matter where you go, there's a health club, and it all started with Jack LaLanne."  - Arnold Schwarzenegger 

For those who remember Jack LaLanne, they might just recall that he had an exercise show where he would wear a tight jumpsuit kind of outfit and what appeared to be ballet slippers. And he would demonstrate basic exercises by himself or with individuals.

What people probably don't realize is that Jack LaLanne was one of the FIRST all-natural, clean nutrition focused bodybuilders who had an exceedingly defined physique and posed in muscle magazines in the late 40's. He also posed in the buff, freely and without reserve, with another bodybuilder. He didn't need to prove that he wasn't homo by doing these photoshoots. He was straight and non-homophobic, he always ate super clean, he didn't do drugs and drank very little, he was honest and not concerned about judgement. Point me to some gym bros who can say all those things about themselves today!

One of Jack's mottos was "If man made it, don't eat it". He had health, humility, longevity and one of the most inspiring attitudes of all the fitness idols. The term "Jacked" comes from Jack Lalanne. "Jumping Jacks" came from Jack Lalanne. Overlooked and underrated by many in today's gym culture, but his basic rules of eating and fitness have been quietly influencing for decades.

You'll see some of the nude shots that Jack did way back in the day. It was common for male models to pose in the nude for photographers, but the actual published photos in "muscle mags" (pre-cursors to gay porn) had posing straps or groin coverage that could be removed by the reader Here's the caption from the book you see: "Jack Lalanne and Jack Thomas were typical of the national champions who were eager to pose, even in painted-on posing straps, and usually did it for free to preserve their amateur status." (p. 69 Beefcake: The Muscle Magazines of America 1950-1970)

How many people who go to a gym realize that the origin of the word gymnasium was Greek, and it means to exercise in the nude?? Fact. Look it up.

Check out this video of Jack singing the theme song to his show (which ran for THIRTY-FIVE years!)

CHARLES ATLAS was also a key player in kick-starting the bodybuilding craze with his omnipresent ads in the back of comic books and magazines. His approach was aimed directly towards the male ego and how to avoid getting butt-hurt because you're that 98 lb. weakling that gets sand kicked in their face at the beach. 

Now THAT sounds more like a typical gym bro approach. I NEED TO BE BIG!!!

P.S. You will note by the inset photo that Mr. Atlas also had no qualms about some nude photo sittings.

THE ORIGINAL FITNESS INFLUENCER was Bernarr MacFadden. He founded and started publishing the very first fitness and muscle magazines, "Physical Culture" in 1899. Eugen Sandow was performing, showing his body and taking photos a little before/around this time, but Bernarr was the first to heavily commercialize the fitness industry.

Subsequent influencers in the world of fitness (before social media) were Scott Madsen who was the main pitchman for the all-in-one workout Soloflex machine. 

Scott Madsen ads and Soloflex promotion was EVERYWHERE!  I had the Soloflex machine (with ALL the extensions) from the time I was 22 until 30.  It followed me through 2 apartments and even came with me when I bought my house.  By then, it was simply parts … all sold individually that more than made up for the original purchase price.  Crazy!   

Scott Madsen was an ideal version of what we could call an “influencer” today.  Note how his body is “nice” but not at all what people think is built or jacked now.  Expectations were lower back then because comparisons weren’t global and at your fingertips.  In the 80’s though, to look like Scott Madsen (or Mitch Gaylord, another Soloflex spokesperson -also in my collection) were goalz for us “guys”.   

Plus this commercial was ALWAYS on TV 

Scott’s autograph is SUPER rare by the way.  I was astounded to come across this oversize poster book signed twice by him and consider it a luck addition to my collection. 

Another influencer in the 80’s fitness market was Jake Steinfeld (uncle of Hailee Steinfeld) with his “Body by Jake” brand.  Great chest. Butter. 

Kathy Smith was another 1980's fitness "influencer" who sold over 16 million fitness VIDEOS - yep VHS.

And let’s not forget the king of cardio, happiness, and striped shorts – RICHARD SIMMONS! I know a lot of people made fun of him during his heyday.  And there were rumors and scandals about his last months on earth and his death.  But honestly, wasn’t he just a sweet man who spread joy and cheer and good energy. Blighters be gone!  RIP kind-hearted Richard. 

Kudos to the REAL and original influencers of the fitness world!