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Meet Fitness Legends Jack and Elaine LaLanne

ELDR Magazine interviews strongman Jack LaLanne, 92, and his eternally gorgeous wife, Elaine, 81, who just completed the happiest and most profitable year in their high-profile career and romantic life.

by Dave Bunnell

Monday, March 19, 2007

Elaine and Jack recently appeared in Times Square to celebrate Jack’s 92nd birthday. They were set up for three hours outside ABC’s studio under the giant Jumbotron, which was airing their juicer infomercial. People enjoyed samples of juices which were made with Jack LaLanne’s Power Juicer. The LaLannes also gave away books and signed autographs as people lined up for blocks waiting for a chance to see them.

For 34 years, Jack and Elaine appeared five days a week on The Jack LaLanne Show, where they convinced millions of people to join the fitness craze by exercising and eating a healthy diet based on fresh fruits and vegetables. In 1936, Jack opened America’s first health club in Oakland, California, called the “Jack LaLanne Physical Culture Studio.”

Over the years, he invented many of the exercise machines that are common in today’s clubs, including the leg extension machine and the machines using cables. Through television shows, public appearances, and books—and by selling health-related products—they have been the most vocal and effective evangelists for preventive health the world has ever known.

There is little doubt that obesity, heart disease, diabetes and cancer rates, though alarming, would be even higher today if not for the Herculean efforts of Jack and Elaine LaLanne. Amazingly, at their “advanced” ages, they are now experiencing their most effective and successful time of life.

“This is the best year we’ve ever had,” Jack begins. “At 92, everyone wants us, they turn the crowds away and we always get standing ovations.”

“We work together so we can be together,” Elaine adds.

“We work together so we can play together,” Jack corrects her.

ELDR: You both have a lot of fun in your lives. Is that true?
“Oh yes,” Elaine says.

“If you go through life,” Jack says, “and you can’t have a little fun, then you’re sick.”

“Our secret,” Elaine confides, “is you have to have a friend.” She looks over to Jack and says, “Your wife is your friend, right?”

“Yeah,” Jack replies, “and don’t try to change each other.”

“That’s right,” Elaine says. “The trouble is too many people want to change the other person into what they are and you can’t do this. No two people are the same, just as no two leaves on a tree are alike. We are all individuals and we have to understand each other as such.”

“People don’t change, let me tell you,” Jacks says. “Everyone can’t be perfect like my wife.”

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