The seeming futility of shaping up the world does not daunt him.

"I never think about that," LaLanne says. "I think about things that I can improve."

One thing he can always improve is himself. LaLanne works out two hours a day, mostly swimming and lifting weights… "I work at living," he says, leaning close and squeezing an arm. "Most people work at dying. Dying's easy."

One of LaLanne's most effective sales devices has been his amazing feats of strength. When Arnold Schwarzenegger came to America in 1968 and became an instant sensation on the Southern California muscle scene, LaLanne challenged the kid to a duel at Muscle Beach. The Austrian Oak was 21; the Oakland Oak was 54.

"I beat him in chin-ups and push-ups," LaLanne says. "He said, 'That Jack LaLanne's an animal! I was sore for four days. I couldn't lift my arms!' "

At age 70, handcuffed, LaLanne towed 70 loaded boats 1.5 miles in Long Beach Harbor.