Jimmie Payne Makes Fitness Fun At Stan Bennett's “Workout Museum”

By Kaaron Carver 2002

History, at least the artifacts and evidence of it, can be found in many unique places. One can visit castles, monuments, libraries, and, in Rohnert Park, even a fitness center. Walk into Stan Bennett's Fitness Center on Commerce Blvd., anytime during the week, and you will see a wall of historic photos, mostly of one very outstanding man - Mr. Jimmie Payne.

If you arrive early enough (7 to 11 AM) you will be greeted by this 1950 "Mr. America" bodybuilding champion. At 78, he still finds a little time to work, in between golf and gambling, and participants are very appreciative. He greets everyone with a big smile, words of good cheer, and advises on personal routines. During slow times, Jimmie still uses the pulleys and weights that he was fundamental in developing.

It all started during the Depression, when as a small boy he split his head open during a missed slide down a school banister. He not only decided to ignore the doctor's advice against any exercise, but also seems to have been adversely inspired by such words. He discovered lifelong friend, Jack La Lanne, working out at Neptune Beach, and soon joined him on bars, rings, and especially a hand-balancing partnership. Later, workout buddies created their own weights by filling coffee cans with cement and inserting broom handles in them. Finally, neighbor and welder Paul Martin invented modern weighted metal plates and pulley machines.

When La Lanne opened the first modern gym in Oakland, Jimmie began to work out there, alongside future stars such as Steeve Reeves. During the war, Jimmie primed soldiers for their oversees conflict.

Jimmie's entire family grew up in the Physical Fitness Movement. His wife and children created and performed on the “Junior Mr. and Miss America Club” TV show in the 1960's, encouraging young people to embrace physical health. When most people would think about retiring, Jimmie continued his athletic career, performing hand-balancing in Vegas shows, giving inspirational group talks, and competing in the World Wristwrestling Championships. Held in Petaluma, Jimmie's constant attention to diet and workout often defeated much larger farmer/rancher types.

His complete biography has been recorded, is being edited, and will be filed with the Archive Center. It will eventually be available for historic review on our website. We are extremely grateful for Jimmie Payne's contribution to Rohnert Park as well as to fitness for all.