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Arthur JonesFounder of Nautilus and MedX corporations; inventor of Nautilus exercise machines
Date of Birth: 22.08.1926
Country:  USA |
Content:
Early Life and Career
Arthur A. Jones, born on August 22, 1926, in Arkansas, grew up in Seminole, Oklahoma. His unconventional ideas pushed the boundaries of bodybuilding and popularized Arnold Schwarzenegger's training regimen, which emphasized high-intensity training (HIT) with infrequent exercises, minimal sets, and maximal effort.
Founding of Nautilus
Jones invented the Nautilus pullover machine in 1948 while studying at the University of Tulsa. He sold his first commercial model in 1970. The revolutionary machine, based on Jones's principles of variable resistance, became a catalyst for the bodybuilding revolution.
Scientific Revolution
Through publications like the Nautilus Bulletins, Jones challenged traditional fitness dogma and promoted HIT. His 1977 documentary "Pumping Iron" transformed the perception of bodybuilding, inspiring a fitness craze in the 1970s and 1980s.
Business Success
Jones founded Nautilus and designed 39 different exercise machines, which became synonymous with strength training. He amassed a fortune, making it onto Forbes's list of the 400 richest Americans. He sold Nautilus in 1986 for $23 million and MedX in 1996, retiring afterwards.
Personal Life
Jones was a multifaceted individual, embracing adventure and challenging conventional norms. He was a world traveler with an unconventional philosophy: "youngest women, fastest planes, biggest crocodiles." His eccentric nature included a fascination with venomous spiders and reptiles, which he kept at Nautilus headquarters.
Legacy
Jones passed away on August 28, 2007, at the age of 80. He left behind a legacy as an industry pioneer, inventor, and eccentric millionaire. His unconventional ideas and unwavering pursuit of intensity continue to influence the fitness world today.
