Fittest Americans of All-Time

At the lowest point of fitness celebrity John Basedow's life he described his body as a "bowling pin on legs," with no shoulders and a big, wide middle. He challenged himself to get in good enough shape to appear in a fitness magazine. After failing with countless exercise routines, fad diets and over-hyped supplements, he created his own regimen. And with that, Fitness Made Simple was born. His book (with bonus video!) launched a crazy career in the fitness world and made his face—and washboard body—one of the most recognizable in the biz. Even if it does look Photoshopped.