Oldest Health Club In America: Smith Health Club, 1964 til 2012

Posted November 14, 2012 2:16 pm by

Oldest Health Club In America: Smith Health Club, 1964 til 2012

Oldest Health Club In America:  Smith Health Club, 1964 til 2012

 

In 1964, fitness instructor Harry Smith opened a health studio at 3415 Horatio St. The $75,000 facility featured bodybuilding equipment, handball courts and steam rooms, along with separate facilities for men and women. The building also had a rooftop apartment where Smith lived.

Smith’s passion for weightlifting began when he served in the Navy during World War II.

He opened the Smith Health Club in 1956 in the old Lafayette Hotel Building along the Hillsborough River. After the hotel was torn down to make way for offices, he built the Horatio Street facility.

Smith, 87, still runs the business, offering personalized instruction to his clients. “It’s the longest running health club in the U.S.,” he said. “Personal supervision is what I do.”

Smith has more than 30 weightlifting titles, including Junior Mr. America. He also placed fourth in a Mr. America competition.

“Your health is my business,” he said.

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