“He didn’t just say it was about exercise but was also strong on nutrition and diet,” adds Mr Pilzer, “but today the diet industry is almost separate from the fitness industry.”
Jack LaLanne’s interest and expertise in nutrition combined with his business acumen saw him launch a range of healthy eating products, including the first nutrition snack bar, and the first weight loss instant breakfast meal replacement drink. He also encouraged people to make their own fresh drinks with the launch of a juicer range.
But most importantly, says Carolyn Katzin a nutritionist who was friends with Mr LaLanne, he did it all the natural way.
“He wasn’t in to the steroids and the chemicals and all of that,” she says.
“He would get a can of soup and use it to do sit ups on the floor. He had the sense that you could exercise anywhere.
“He was an everyman, and I guess his legacy was to tell people that anyone could get fit. And he always did it with a smile on his face.”