2. Dorothy V. Harris, Ph.D. "Master of the mind." Highly respected sports psychologist who helped establish the Women’s Sports Foundation as one of the preeminent organizations in the world serving the needs and interests of physically active women. Dedicated her career to helping people better understand the mind-body connection in both exercise and athletes.
3. Arthur Jones."Unconventional eccentric." Inventor of Nautilus exercise machines. Outspoken, strident advocate for reexaminating commonly held beliefs about exercise, particularly resistance training. Prime promulgator of the philosophy for prescribing strength exercise commonly referred to as "high-intensity training" (i.e., one set of 8 to 12 repetitions to a point of near muscular fatigue).
4. Jack La Lanne. "Evangelist for fitness." Often called the "Godfather of Fitness." Energetic and flamboyant promoter of physical fitness for more than seven decades. Opened the nation’s first modern health studio in 1936 at the age of 21. In the early 1950s, used the new medium of television to reach out to millions of people in the United States to spread his gospel message of "get up, work out, and feel better."
5. Augie Nieto. "Strategic thinker." Founded Life Fitness (the world’s largest commercial fitness equipment provider) in 1977, when he was an undergraduate student in college. Played a major role in the development, promotion, and sales of the Lifecycle, the first computerized exercise machine.
6. Bill Pearl. "Bodybuilding legend." A five-time Mr. Universe and author of the bestselling bodybuilding books, Keys to the Inner Universe, Getting Stronger, and Getting In Shape. A vociferous advocate of training the "natural way" (i.e., without drugs). One of the most respected individuals in the field - an exceptional professional who has helped show others the innumerable benefits of exercise by both his deeds and his words.
7. Michael L. Pollock, Ph.D., FACSM. "Pioneer in the fitness field." Author of more than 230 articles and three textbooks on exercise-related topics. Was one of the first professionals to emphasize the importance of standard exercise training guidelines. Introduced strength training as a necessary element of a successful fitness regimen. Past president of ACSM.
8. Jackie Sorensen. "Dancing damsel." A former professional dancer and choreographer who is commonly given credit for inventing aerobic dance in 1968. Two years later, introduced dance exercise classes at the Towson, Maryland, YMCA, which subsequently helped lead to the aerobic dancing craze in the United States.
9. Kathrine Switzer. "Ahead of the pack." The first woman to officially enter and run the Boston Marathon. Has dedicated her multifaceted career to creating opportunities and equal sport status for women. Helped establish several well-received programs for women, including the AVON International Running Circuit; the Take Heart to Fitness, a series of running and walking events; and the MORE marathon, a womens-only marathon event for females over 40.
10. Harold Zinkin Sr. "Bodybuilding icon." A former champion bodybuilder, who invented the Universal Gym Machine in 1960 in the back room of one of his health clubs in Fresno, California. The first of its kind, his invention permitted multiple exercises to be performed on a single piece of equipment.
James A. Peterson, Ph.D., FACSM, is a freelance writer and consultant in sports medicine. From 1990 until 1995, Dr. Peterson was director of sports medicine with StairMaster. Until that time, he was professor of physical education at the United States Military Academy.
Copyright 2010 by the American College of Sports Medicine.
