More on the Bay Area's gift to the health world, Jack LaLanne

October 8, 8:03 PMSF Healthy Living ExaminerLani Muelrath

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Jack and Elaine LaLanne at John's Grill in SF for Jack's 95th

Our fitness hero Jack LaLanne is in town this week.  Evidently the celebration of the 95th anniversary of his birth continues!

Though Jack's birthday was announced right here just days ago, there is good reason for footnotes. 

Mostly known for his own personal robust health and champion athletic events, what may not be common knowledge is the trends, inventions, and standards of the health and fitness industry to which he gave birth.

Jack Lalanne's fitness innovations -  (well, a starter list anyway!) include:

• The gym: In 1936, he opened the Jack LaLanne Physical Culture Studio at 409 15th St. in Oakland, the first modern gym. He eventually sold his chain of studios to Bally.

Mind-body fitness: Now a popular concept, Jack has always championed the philosphy that  "You can't separate the mind and body".

Muscles on women: Before LaLanne's TV show, a woman's only workout was behind a vacuum cleaner.

Exercise machines: The kind with cables, pulleys and weight selectors. LaLanne didn't patent them, but he invented them, including the first leg-extension machine.

Fitness shows on TV:  Remember Jack, a chair, and his dog Happy?  Original stuff.

Workout rotations:  LaLanne changes his workout routine every 30 days.

Read more about Jack's visit to the San Francisco Bay Area here.

For video on Jack's birthday celebrations at John's Grill in San Francisco, click here.