The 40 Biggest Fitness Gurus of All Time (2023)

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1980: Arnold Schwarzenegger

The multi-hyphenate fitness legend came out of retirement in order to compete for the Mr. Olympia title in 1980. At the time, he was also training for a movie role. Despite the hectic schedule, he ended up winning the title and what would be his final championship in the event.

1981: Olivia Newton-John

Although not originally fitness guru by occupation, her smash single "Physical" was a global sensation. The top-charting song made everybody want to get on their feet, dance, sweat, and get.. well, physical.

1982: Suzanne Somers

The Three's Company actress turned into a full-fledged fitness personality thanks to her workout infomercials and 'Thighmaster' endorsements. She's since gone on to author several weight loss, nutrition, and health books, many of which have become bestsellers.

1983: Gilad Janklowicz

Bodies In Motion, the longest-running fitness show in the United States, first aired in 1983. The Israeli fitness instructor hosted the long-running show, but also created over 30 workout videos and hosted another show called Total Body Sculpt with Gilad.

1984: Raquel Welch

1984 marked the release of the legendary actress' Total Beauty and Fitness Program, which quickly became popular. It was particularly groundbreaking due to its emphasis on yoga postures.

1985: Jake Steinfeld

Steinfeld's career first took off when stars like Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford used him as a personal trainer. He then launched the Body By Jake fitness regimen series that catapulted him into fame.

1986: Jane Fonda

The fitness queen's Jane Fonda Workout videos have sold over 17 million copies worldwide, the most among any exercise series. She encouraged many Americans to buy their first VCRs in the '80s so they could follow her aerobics-based workout routines at home.

1987: Heather Locklear

The actress and model became a fitness guru with her own line of workout videos, titled Personal Training Sessions, where she rocked bright leotards in typical '80s fashion.

1988: Alyssa Milano

Straight off of her Who's The Boss fame, a teen Alyssa Milano moved on to the fitness world. In 1988, she debuted a series of workout videos marketed towards the spandex-loving teenagers of the '80s with Alyssa Milano Teen Steam Workouts.

1988: Kathy Smith

The fitness personality has sold over 16 million workout videos, which reached peak popularity levels in the late '80s and early '90s.

1989: Chuck Norris

The martial arts legend and action star received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1989, cementing his legacy as a fitness icon, actor, and producer. He also has a black belt in judo and Brazilian jiu jitsu.

1990: Derrick Evans

The early '90s fitness icon, better known as Mr. Motivator, was a British sensation thanks to his appearances on the breakfast TV show GMTV, where he performed live, high-energy workout sessions in bright, colorful spandex.

1991: Cher

The legendary singer and actress entered the fitness realm with the release of her 1991 book Cher Forever Fit, which featured workout tips, nutrition advice, and her favorite skincare-products.

1992: Denise Austin

With over 20 million exercise videos sold, "America's Fitness Sweetheart" is considered one of the top fitness celebrities of the '90s. She's also authored 10 fitness books and centers her workout regimen around yoga, pilates, and aerobic exercises.

1993: Mark Wahlberg a.k.a. Marky Mark

It seems like Mark Wahlberg has always been into fitness—even back in his Funky Bunch days. In 1993, the rapper and Calvin Klein heartthrob released a hit workout video called The Marky Mark Workout.

1993: Fabio

The Italian/American model, whose face was plastered across romance novel covers all over the world, delved into the fitness realm in 1993 with his self-titled Fabio Fitness workout video.

1994: Ali MacGraw

Ali MacGraw was one of the biggest actresses in the '70s, but by the early '90s she had found a different purpose: yoga. MacGraw trained as a yoga instructor and released a series of videos called Ali MacGraw: Yoga Mind & Body.

1994: Susan Powter

The motivational speaker, nutritionist, and personal trainer reached the height of fame in 1994 when she first hosted her own talk show, The Susan Powter Show, in which she discussed topics like nutrition and fitness with her guests. She was also known the catchphrase "stop the insanity!" which was a highlight of her weight loss infomercial.

1995: Tony Little

With numerous '90s fitness infomercials, the self-proclaimed "America's Fitness Guru" became known for his ponytail, booming voice, and endorsement of several fitness products, most notably the Gazelle Elliptical Glider.

1996: Richard Simmons

The beloved '90s fitness guru was known for his contagious energy and flamboyant personality that both helped America actually enjoy working out. His Sweatin' To The Oldies videos brought an aerobics craze to the masses thanks to his energy and the upbeat soundtracks.

1997: Don Saladino

For over 20 years, Saladino has coached actors, athletes, musicians, and other celebrity clients like Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, and Ryan Reynolds. This fitness guru is one of the most in-demand personal trainers for the famous and wealthy.

1998: Beto Perez

Perez was teaching dance in his home country of Colombia when he forgot his cassette of pop songs before a class—so he improvised and played a mixtape of Latin songs he had on him. Years later, he'd birth Zumba. By 2012, Zumba Fitness would be valued at $500 million.

1998: Billy Blanks

The Tae Bo workout creator (a combination of Tae Kwon Do and Boxing) reportedly sold more than 1.5 million videos of his workout classes between 1998-1999 before launching Billy's Boot Camp.

2000: Bob Harper

The TV personality and personal trainer, known for his role in The Biggest Loser, has been open about his sexuality, dieting habits, and heart attack health scare.

2001: Shaun T

Known for his high-intensity and energetic home workout videos like Hip-Hop Abs and Insanity, Shaun T made many TV appearances on programs like the Oprah Winfrey Show, The Dr. Oz Show and the Tyra Banks Show.

2002: Jillian Michaels

In 2002, Michaels opened the sports medicine facility Sky Sport & Spa in Beverly Hills before making her TV debut on the hit NBC show The Biggest Loser. She became known for her tough coaching style that helped contestants get whipped into shape. Since then, she's released several workout DVDs and authored several fitness books.

2003: Tony Horton

The fitness coach and instructor entered the crowded home workout space with P90x in 2003, through a series of informercials that promised dramatic before and after results after 90 days of completing the program.

2004: Harley Pasternak

This bonafide celebrity trainer, author, motivational speaker, and TV personality made headlines in 2004 when Halle Berry revealed he trained her for the movie Catwoman. That admission landed him a guest appearance on Oprah and eventually a book deal.

2005: Gunnar Peterson

One of the most sought-after personal trainers, the guy who counts the Kardashians as clients released his first book in 2005, which delves into the secrets of Hollywood personal training.

2006: Tracy Anderson

The fitness mogul, known for monthly services and the Tracy Anderson Method, had her big break in 2006 when Gwyneth Paltrow visited her LA studio and dropped a significant amount weight. Paltrow then told Madonna about Anderson and from there, she gained even more popularity.