The Health & Fitness Association (HFA) has selected six industry leaders to induct into its inaugural HFA Hall of Fame class. The inductees are Dr. Kenneth Cooper, Rick Caro, Red Lerille, Julie Main, John McCarthy, and Augie Nieto.

The HFA will induct the honorees into the Hall of Fame during a ceremony on March 11 at the HFA Show in Las Vegas.

“The establishment of the HFA Hall of Fame allows the industry to celebrate those who revolutionized our industry,” said HFA President and CEO Liz Clark. “These visionaries are the innovators and leaders who we strive to emulate in countless ways. This year’s inductees hold a special place as our inaugural class.”

The HFA Hall of Fame “recognizes individuals whose contributions have elevated the association and industry’s profile, set new standards for excellence in leadership and supported the industry’s commitment to improving physical and mental health for all,” said the HFA in a media release.  

Dr. Kenneth Cooper founded The Cooper Institute and Cooper Aerobics Center and is known for coining “aerobics” in 1966. He published multiple books, wrote nearly 700 papers and earned over 70 top honors from public health groups. Dr. Cooper also hosted a radio show, “Healthy Living,” syndicated on 40 stations. Cooper founded Our Kids Health Foundation to combat childhood obesity and was instrumental in passing a bill in Texas that requires more physical education in schools and annual physical fitness testing. He collaborated with PepsiCo to eliminate trans fats from its Frito-Lay snack line, which led to other companies doing the same.

Rick Caro is president of the consulting firm Management Vision. He started in the fitness industry over 50 years ago as the owner and operator of eight racquet clubs. Caro was one of the founders of the Health & Fitness Association, which was named the International Racquet & Sportsclub Association. He served twice on the board of HFA, once as president. He also has served on the board of the American Council on Exercise. Caro helped standardize financial best practices and operational methods for the industry and helped it attract interest and partnership opportunities from institutional investors, analysts, researchers, and global business consultants.

Red Lerille founded Red Lerille’s Health & Racquet Club in 1963 after winning several bodybuilding titles, including Mr. America in 1960. He counted Joe Gold, founder of Gold’s Gym and World Gym International, as his mentor. Lerille’s hands-on style at his club, which included greeting many of its members and supporting his community of Lafayette, LA, made him a well-recognized member of his community. One of his mottos was “always to be changing,” which led to continual improvements at his club that benefitted members and cultivated loyalty from them and his staff. He also was active in a roundtable where he shared his expertise and positive outlook with other club operators.

Julie Main was co-owner and president of the West Coast Athletic Clubs, a group of five clubs in California. She served on the HFA Board of Directors for several years and was the second female board president. Main was a role model of volunteerism, serving on multiple board committees. When diagnosed with cancer, she learned how important exercise is in helping with treatment and rehabilitation, resulting in her co-founding the Cancer Well-Fit Program, which incorporates regular exercise as a component in the cancer recovery process. In her honor, the HFA established the Julie Main Woman Leader Award, which recognizes women who exemplify professionalism, excellence, courage, perseverance, and tireless contributions to the industry and community. Main’s induction is posthumous.

John McCarthy was the first executive director of the Health & Fitness Association, then called the International Racquet & Sportsclub Association. His interest in fitness began with basketball, which he played in college and as a member of the Washington Generals, perennial opponents of the Harlem Globetrotters. McCarthy attended seminary school and served as a priest for 11 years. He left the clergy to return to the community as a layperson and operated tennis and racquet clubs before being tapped as the first head of the association. Under his leadership, the HFA expanded its reach to support fitness facility operators worldwide, established federations in multiple countries and launched events and research products. After retiring from the association in 2006, he advised businesses in the fitness industry and served as chairman of Augie’s Bash, an annual event that brought the fitness industry together to raise money to cure ALS.

Augie Nieto co-founded Life Fitness, a brand founded on the LifeCycle, the first automated stationary bike for health clubs. The LifeCycle helped to establish cardio as a category in fitness facilities, drawing in more female members. Nieto began as a California health club owner in the late 1970s. Later in life, he was diagnosed with ALS and founded Augie’s Quest, a nonprofit research organization focused on a cure for the disease. The organization brought together the fitness industry in an annual fundraiser. He continued to serve the industry as an advisor. Nieto’s induction is posthumous.

A panel of industry leaders selected the inductees. They included:

  • Amy Bantham, Founder and CEO of Move to Live More
  • Chris Craytor, CEO of Acac Fitness and Wellness
  • Art Curtis, President of Curtis Club Advisors
  • Alan Leach, CEO of West Wood Club
  • Carol Nalevanko, President of DMB Sports Clubs
  • Jim Schmaltz, Editor-in-Chief of Club Business International
  • Chris Smith, President and CEO of Fitness World Canada
  • Greta Wagner, Executive Director and Executive Vice President of Chelsea Piers Connecticut.

The Health & Fitness Association, formerly IHRSA, founded in 1981, is a worldwide trade association for operators of health and fitness facilities for millions of Americans nationwide. Through advocacy, education and research, the association speaks to opportunities, challenges and changes that move the industry forward. The association also operates The HFA Show and the European Congress.

Go here to learn more about the Induction/HFA Show.

Images courtesy HFA