The fitness industry mourns the passing of industry icon Augie Nieto, the founder of Life Fitness, and remembers his legacy.
Augie Nieto passed away on February 22, 2023. He is remembered as an icon to the industry and trailblazer in the ALS space.
Nieto was the founder and retired CEO of Life Fitness, chairman and co-founder of Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS, and the chairman of the ALS Therapy Development Institute. He was diagnosed with ALS in 2005 and dedicated his life to his passion of exercise and finding treatments and cures for ALS. Under his leadership, almost $200 million was raised for ALS research.
The fitness industry took to LinkedIn to share their condolences and memories of Nieto.
“Really sad day,” wrote David Long, the CEO and co-founder of Orangetheory Fitness. “But Augie was and still will be a massive force for good. To cure ALS and more. Kindness and determination.”
“Augie will live on in all of us as a source of inspiration on how to turn something negative into a positive to change the world,” wrote Deborah Heisler, the regional vice president of operations at Active Wellness. “Deepest condolences to his entire family. I feel lucky to have met you.”
“Words can’t convey my gratitude and respect for Augie,” wrote Greg Highsmith, the VP of strength and group training at Life Fitness. “Iconic inspirational leader. In every phase of his life and in everything he did.”
“R.I.P. Augie,” wrote Anna Welsh, the vice president of client success for ABC Fitness Solutions. “Our industry was birthed largely due to the commitment of this visionary. Let us all be reminded of his brilliance, perseverance and passion. Condolences, prayers, thoughts go out to Augie’s family and our fitness industry family.”
Nieto passed peacefully surrounded by his beloved wife Lynne, his family and loved ones.
Nieto wrote before his passing: “Please keep me in your hearts, please help continue the progress of Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS. Please help Lynne to carry on the mission — the second finest achievement of my life. Because I will be in your heart, I will get to experience the joy when we discover a cure. I know my fight is not over. I have battled ALS for almost 18 years. Physically, ALS has finally taken my body, but my battle to rid the world of this insidious disease will continue.”
