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Jaime Brenkus, known as the creator of the “8 Minute Abs” workout series, was recently inducted into the National Fitness Hall of Fame in Chicago
Based in Eastlake, the American College of Sports Medicine-certified exercise physiologist started his own fitness training businesses in Los Angeles and Tampa before coming back to the Cleveland area. In 2021, Brenkus co-produced, wrote and starred in a 13-episode television series on PBS called “Fit n Delicious.”
For the last 41 years, Brenkus has dedicated his professional life to providing systematic approaches to fighting obesity and weight problems. His “8 Minute Abs” program was designed to help people lose pounds and inches
Brenkus said he feels honored, humbled and thrilled to be inducted into the National Fitness Hall of Fame
“Jack LaLanne really was the one who paved the way for all of us,” he said. “He was the first face, the force of fitness and a true visionary, and a pioneer. Without him showing us the way, we wouldn’t be here today.”
- For the last 41 years, Jaime Brenkus, creator of “8 Minute Abs,” has dedicated his professional life to providing systematic approaches to fighting obesity and weight problems across the nation. (Marah Morrison — The News-Herald)
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For the last 41 years, Jaime Brenkus, creator of “8 Minute Abs,” has dedicated his professional life to providing systematic approaches to fighting obesity and weight problems across the nation. (Marah Morrison — The News-Herald)
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Passion is also Brenkus’ driver
“You can’t teach it,” he said. “You have to have that ingrained in you.”
Brenkus also credits LaLanne’s wife, Elaine, for his success
“Behind every successful man, there’s a woman pushing him and Elaine was the perfect match for him,” he said
Brenkus said he has watched LaLanne’s videos throughout the years and has observed the connection he had with his audience
“We took that honesty, credibility and validity approach that Jack had all those years, and that was the mainstay of our programming,” he said. “It was simple, fun, effective, safe and people gravitated toward it.”
Brenkus believes that having an impact in a way that was transformational is among the key factors in being inducted into the Fitness Hall of Fame
“If you look at what we did with the ‘8 Minute Abs’ series, that was the first time-oriented program that came out,” he said. “Let’s start with a little bit and then let us go on. That light has to come on first and it empowers them to go forward, so that resonated with a lot of people. In my induction speech, I said about eight months later, somebody came out with two-minute abs.”
Additionally, those who are inducted into the Fitness Hall of Fame have to be 65 years or older, Brenkus said
“I wear that badge proudly,” he said. “A lot of these influencers out there have millions and millions of people following them, but they’re 25 or 30. That’s not what the Hall of Fame is about right now. That may change, but that’s a stipulation. To me, that’s a badge of honor you have to uphold and make the Hall of Fame proud, and we’re not done yet.”
Brenkus said as part of his induction, he had to send in various documentation for his candidacy. He recalls when he heard from the director of the Fitness Hall of Fame
“He said, ‘I think you’re in the running,’ ” Brenkus said. “We didn’t really do anything else. I did reach out to some of my associates. The one person I did reach out to was Elaine. She’s 100 years old. She still has her mental acuity. She’s a blessing to have. She said, ‘There’s no doubt you’re gonna get in. I’m gonna make a phone call for you.’ I don’t know if she did or not, but I think it was just that idea that we got a legend herself, the first lady of fitness, doing that.”
Going forward, Brenkus wants to keep LaLanne’s name relevant for people who didn’t realize he was the “Godfather of Fitness.”
“A company in Tampa, myself and Elaine are doing a project called ‘Motiv8,’ and it’s Jack’s inspiration and my programs together,” Brenkus said. “It’s just being launched and I’m excited about it because it’s an honor just to be involved with the LaLanne legacy. Here we are in 2026 still focusing on what he was doing.”
Additionally, Brenkus is going to be releasing a program that will be an eight-week age rewind program
“It’s going to be a virtual program that’s going to have some live classes,” he said. “It’s going to have virtual on-demand. I think this is where everything’s headed. You can go online and get almost any video you want. Coaching is going to be the key and you can do it now virtually.”
The program will be launched next month
Brenkus said if people don’t make time for their wellness, they’re going to be forced to make time for their illness
“It’s routine over motivation,” he said. “Motivation wanes after a while. I believe in navigating through your meals. Nobody’s perfect on their diet nor should you have to even think that’s a lifestyle you can heed. Having protein, limiting empty calories and eating something green on your plate every day. If you could follow something at least 80% of the time … you’re still going to succeed. It eliminates the diet mentality of all or nothing.”
Brenkus encourages authenticity as people gravitate toward that
“I’ve been doing this for 41 years, so it’s truly incredible,” he said. “Don’t try to be somebody else. Be authentic to who you are because people can see through that. If you’re authentic, I think that goes a long way in programming. The Fitness Hall of Fame wants that. They adhere to that and that’s what makes it special.”
