I'm a woman

I'm a woman
Photos copyright Laurence Gouault
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Friday 17 February 2012

Jack LaLanne the Pull up Man. By Stevie Haston

Tools of the trade


Jack LaLanne is dead, he died on 23rd of January of pneumonia brought on through heart disease. Jack was born on September 6th 1914 of French parents who came from Oloron. He was the first Television fitness guru and had earlier opened up the first Health Gym in Oakland California in 1936. He promoted healthy living by eating well, and thinking about the bodies general well  being  This  now seems seems  prophetic and very modern. One of the early Venice Beach trainists, Arnold Schwarzenegger fondly recalls that no one wanted to do  pull ups with Jack. Jack held for many, many years, the 1000 pull ups, and 1000 press ups for time record, with a time of 1 hour 22 mins (?). He did this on television and this time has only been beaten once (?), however Jack did his record at age 45, so perhaps it is even more impressive. Mr Lalanne made a habit of breaking records, some of his favourites were towing lots of people in multiple boats while shackled! Obviously he has been an inspiration for many pull up people, naturally including me. At 5 foot 6 his physique was trim but heavy, and his pull up facility must have been very great, as he sported a fine pair of legs. Jacks father died at age 50 of heart related problems, so it might be said that with his healthy living he squeezed out another 46 years which might be thought a good thing. He is honoured on the Walk of Fame, and clearly he walked the walk, as well as talking the talk.
 Anyway, Yesterday I did the 1000 pull up, press up routine, with some snow shovelling, between sets  and kept on smiling, thanks Jack, thanks very much.