Fitness guru Jack LaLanne breathed his last on Jan.23 at his California residence due to respiratory failure caused from pneumonia. He was 96.

LaLanne, who is widely referred to as The Godfather of Fitness, had gained worldwide recognition for his success as a bodybuilder, and for his incredible cum extraordinary acts of strength and endurance.

Born September 26, 1914 in San Francisco LaLanne, admittedly, was addicted to sugar and junk foods during his childhood days. At age of 15, young LaLanne heard Paul Bragg speech on health and nutrition, which had such a powerful influence, and it motivated LaLanne to focus on his diet and exercise habits.

Later, he studied Henry Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body and concentrated on bodybuilding, chiropractic medicine, and weightlifting, something virtually unheard of in the 1930s.

In 1936, LaLanne opened his own health spa in Oakland, California, and dedicated his life to encouraging people to better themselves through exercise and fitness.

LaLanne had presented fitness and exercise advice on television for 34 years through his The Jack LaLanne Show, which was the longest running television exercise program.

Among his various achievements, LaLanne at the age of 45, in 1959, had completed 1,000 pushups and 1,000 chin-ups in 1 hours and 22 minutes. In 1984 a 70-year-old LaLanne had himself handcuffed and shackled and towed 70 boats with 70 people from the Queen's Way Bridge in the Long Beach Harbor to the Queen Mary, 1 ½ miles.

Even in his 90s, LaLanne exercised two hours daily, consisting of 90 minutes of weightlifting and 30 minutes of swimming.

LaLanne, who is also recognized for his famous juicing machines, had credited his amazing health to his strict nature-made diet and his regular fitness routine.

In fact, his favorite motto is, If man made it, don't eat it.

In 2009, he received Lifetime Achievement Award from Club Industry.

When asked about the difference between then and now, LaLanne said, It is most gratifying for me to see that everything that I was preaching and advocating for over 75 years has come to fruition. Then I was a crackpot and a charlatan, today I am an authority... and believe me I can't die, it would ruin my image.

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