Linda Shelton inducted into National Hall of Fame

On March 18, 2007, the National Fitness Hall of Fame & Museum (NFHOF&M) will honor internationally respected fitness trainer, lecturer, consultant and writer Linda Shelton. Shelton, along with fitness pioneer Betty Weider, celebrity spokesperson and former Mr. Universe Lou Ferrigno, researcher and educator Dr. Thomas Sattler and six other fitness icons will become official inductees into the National Fitness Hall of Fame in Minooka, Illinois.

Shelton’s impressive career spans 35 years as a fitness educator and expert. A founding member of the Aerobic and Fitness Association of America (AFAA), she has trained and certified thousands of fitness professionals nationwide. Within the fitness industry, Shelton is considered the instructor’s instructor, respected by fitness professionals for her master trainer knowledge. In 1983, Shelton was named Shape magazine’s fitness editor, and later supervised fitness coverage at all AMI/Weider women’s magazines, including Natural Health, Fit Pregnancy and Living Fit.

According to John Figarelli, the Executive Director of the NFHOF&M, Shelton was a natural choice. “We are both proud and honored to be inducting Linda Shelton into The National Fitness Hall of Fame,” Figarelli says. “For over 35 years, Linda has educated millions in the value of living the ‘fitness lifestyle.’ Her instruction and guidance, as well as her lifelong commitment to a personal fitness regimen, is truly motivating.”

Shelton currently serves as Fitness Director for VIVmag (www.vivmag.com), the first all-digital, interactive healthy lifestyle magazine for women, headed by Anne M. Russell, the former editor-in-chief of Shape.“VIVmag is honored to have this remarkable fitness innovator as a member of our publishing team,” Russell says, “and we thank the NFHOF&M for its recognition of the leading role Linda has played in setting the course of women’s fitness and group exercise.”

In addition to her role as VIVmag’s fitness director, Shelton is also a Podfitness trainer, monitoring all Podfitness.com exercises and assisting in the selection of all key trainers. She is the author of six fitness books, including the acclaimed Shape’s Ultimate Body Book (Hay House, 2006), The Method Jump Start Journal: 8 Weeks to Wellness (Peter Pan Industries, 2005) and Stronger Legs and Lower Body (Human Kinetics, 2002). She also has directed, choreographed and/or produced more than 250 exercise videos, including The Method (Shape’s DVD workout series), Platinum Buns of Steel 2000, Crunch Fitness and the Dummies Fitness line.