Pioneers in Health and Fitness

We all have individuals who have influenced us in ways that are either obvious or not. In the field of health and fitness there are individuals who have had a noteworthy impact on exercise science throughout the years. These are the individuals who have started something or who have made a big contribution into the way exercise and health practices affect todays world. When I came across this information, I was really honored to have known personally and have worked with, two of the individuals listed. Two others, I was fortunate to see and learn from during my education within workshops and conferences.

Thomas K. Cureton, Ph.D. The founder of one of the worlds first physical fitness laboratory, designed as an aquatics program for the Y.M.C.A. He is widely regarded as the Father of Physical Fitness.

Dorothy V. Harris, Ph.D. She is a highly respected sports psychologist who helped establish the Womens Sports Foundation as one of the preeminent organizations in the world serving the needs and interests of physically active women.

Arthur Jones. Inventor of Nautilus (and MEDX) exercise machines. An outspoken advocate for questioning commonly held beliefs about exercise, particularly resistance training. He is known for his successful philosophies in strength training and strength exercise commonly referring to as high-intensity training. (One of the most interesting people you could ever meet. Bryon and I spent many hours working with him during his early MedX years of development, research and education).

Jack LaLanne. Often called the Godfather of fitness. Energetic and a flamboyant promoter of physical fitness for more than seven decades. Opened the nations first modern health studio in 1936 at the age of 21. In the early 1950s he used the new medium of television to reach out to the millions of people in the US to spread his gospel message of get up, work out, and feel better.

Augie Nieto. Founded Life Fitness, the worlds largest commercial fitness equipment provider in 1977. He also played a major role in the development, promotion and sales of Lifecycle, the first computerized exercise machine.

Bill Pearl. A five-time Mr. Universe and author of the best selling body building books. An advocate for training the natural way without steroids and drugs. One of the most respected individuals in the field and an exceptional professional who has helped show others the innumerable benefits of exercise by both his deeds and his words.

Michael L. Pollock, Ph.D. Author of more than 230 articles and three textbooks on exercise-related topics. He was one of the first professionals to emphasize the importance of standard exercise training guidelines. Introduced strength training as a necessary element of a successful fitness regimen. (Dr. Pollock was Bryons Thesis Chairman and a wonderful instructor, person and mentor)

Jackie Sorensen. A formal professional dancer and choreographer who is commonly given credit for inventing aerobic dance in 1968. In 1970, she introduced dance exercise classes at the Towson, Maryland YMCA. Its here where the aerobic dancing craze started and got its popularity in the US.

Kathrine Switzer. The first woman to officially enter and run the Boston Marathon. Has dedicated her multifaceted career to creating opportunities and equal sport status for women. Helped establish several well-received programs for women including the AVON International Running Circuit, the Take Heart to Fitness event and the MORE marathon, a womens only marathon event for women over 40.

Harold Zinkin, Sr. A former champion bodybuilder, who invented the Universal Gym Machine in 1060 in the back room of one of his health clubs in Fresno, California. The first of its kind, his invention permitted multiple exercises to be performed on a single piece of equipment.

These are just a few of the individuals whove helped set the stepping stones for what exercise and fitness has become today. Without their innovative ideas and thoughts, we wouldnt be where we are with exercise today. The thought used to be how much do we need to do to be healthy now its how little does it take to get the benefits of exercise for our overall health.

 

Deborah Holmes

April 28, 2009