My three 3 all-time heros are people who emulate lifetime wellness.  They are Ageless!

 

Jack in 1986
Jack Lalanne, who passed away at age 96 in January 2011.  Jack revolutionized fitness in America by

Jack and Elaine during his TV hey-day

opening the first fitness centers in Oakland CA. Yup, people thought he was nuts. He also launched the first TV fitness shows, encouraging housewives across the country to get up and try his “jumping routines.” Yup, the jumping jack is named after him, as is the term “jacked up” meaning to be strong and have muscles.  One of my great regrets is not meeting Jack in person before he died. BTW – he did his last workout the day before he passed away and he left instructions to tell everyone attending his funeral service to drop and give him 50!  Read more about Jack here.

 

 

That's the first lady of Pilates, showing all the younger folks how it's done

 

Romana and Joe in the 1950s

Romana Kryzanowka, who met “Uncle Joe” as a teenager and is currently age 88.  She is still teaching teachers, wearing high heels, drinking coffee and champagne and flirting shamelessly with all the men she runs into.   I’m so fortunate to have met  her just when I needed t Read more about Romana here.
That’s Romana’s voice in the video background.  The last exercise in this video is called Star — we’re working up to it in the evening group reformer classes at Nike!
 
 

Joe teaching in his NYC studio

 

Joe and Clara, always active

Joseph Pilates, who passed on at age 87.  He is 56 in this video, showing off his amazing wunda chair.  I can practically hear him saying “hello, madam, let me show you the amazing things you can do with this chair.” I’m so glad that Joe shared his wonderful system with so many people. Read more about Joe here.

I have a classic wunda chair in the Ageless Pilates studio, but mine doesn’t have this sweet upholstery!