Top 10 Fitness Icons of All-Time
In the early days fitness was kind of
a side show. It then became
primarily associated with bodybuilders
and athletes. Not a side show, but
definitely not mainstream.
Nowadays you're more likely to see
overweight office workers than body
builders in a gym. The fitness
industry has become widespread and is a
billion dollar a year industry.
You can't turn on the television for
10 minutes without seeing a commercial
for a fitness product, gym, or celebrity
workout video. Some look
tantalizing and some are downright
cheesy.
Over the years there has been
successful products, failures and one
year wonders. Remember the
electric abs belt? One thing that
has endured in the fitness industry is
the people who have brought fitness to
the mainstream...
Fitness Icons in no logical order.
  |
 Arnold
Schwarzenegger
Claim to Fame:
The man needs no introduction. A long time ago he
was known as the "Austrian Oak, the tree that walks like a
man."
The guy that brought bodybuilding from sweaty rusty gyms
to the big screen.
Today he is simply known as governor. |
 |
Richard
Simmons
Claim to Fame:
Flamboyant. Nobody can deny that the charisma that
Richard Simmons brings to the table is legendary.
Created "Sweatin' to the Oldies." A workout
video aimed at overweight people. |
 |
Jane
Fonda
Claim to Fame:
Jane Fonda was the first women to make popular workout
videos.
The first female "fitness guru." |
 |
Jack
LaLanne
Claim to Fame:
Ageless. Jack LaLanne is known for his tremendous
athleticism and physique when he was young.
The only things it seemed like LaLanne didn't do was age.
Now at 93 I've heard rumors he still does 100 push ups a
day.
"The Godfather of Fitness" |
 |
Kiana
Tom
:
Claim to Fame:
Every morning millions of people turn on TV. If you
were a guy and happened to flip past ESPNs Body Shaping you
stopped.
Kiana was always scantily clad and always beautiful.
She showed that women can be very very sexy and lift
weights, and heavy weights nonetheless. |
 |
John
Basedow
Claim to Fame:
Self Proclaimed "Fitness Celebrity."
Less is more for John Basedow. The star of many
television infomercials pitching his workout and diet
videos.
His favorite attire in his videos, shirtless of course.
His videos include "6pack abs" and he is known for his
"Fitness Made Simple" brand. |
 |
Tony
Little
Claim to Fame:
The man has some crazy energy.
A former champion bodybuilder, Tony came back from a life
threatening car accident and exercised himself back to
health.
Sells his fitness machine, "The Gazelle Freestyle" which
has sold countless millions around the world on
infomercials.
Touts himself as "America's Personal Trainer." |
 |
Body
by Jake
Claim to Fame:
On his website Jake credits himself with "Creating
and Industry."
Always flanked by his fitness models, Jake is referring
to the fitness videos and equipment he has been pitching for
as long as I can remember.
Jake got his start as a personal trainer in Beverly
Hills. His former client list included names like
Stephen Spielberg, Madonna, Michael J. Fox, George Lucas,
among others. |
 |
Billy
Blanks
Claim to Fame:
Before Billy Blanks' TaeBo was there such a thing as
cardio kickboxing class? I don't think so.
If anything, Billy brought cardio kickboxing to the
mainstream and it has been around ever since.
Just look at his crooked face and you can tell that Billy
was a real full contact fighter.
I forgot to mention he has great fashion sense. |
Honorable Mention
 |
Chuck
Norris
Claim to Fame:
The baddest man on the planet has only recently got into
the world of being a fitness icon, hence honorable mention.
A former Karate champion and television and film actor.
Chuck Norris is as famous as he is infamous.
Pitching the "Total Gym" on numerous TV infomercials may
not seem like the job for a tough guy, but say anything
about it and I'm sure Chuck would be glad to give you a
roundhouse kick to your face. |
 |
Fabio
Claim to Fame:
Not really a member of the fitness comunnity but Fabio
Deserves honorable mention.
Why?
Because anyone who's made an entire successful career
just off their pecs deserves to be mentioned while talking
about fitness icons. |
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