Countless design hours led to major changes in the shape of the new machines and their "heart," the Nautilus cam. The Nautilus cam provides the variable rotational resistance, improving muscle involvement during exercise.
Some older prototypes of the pullover machines required several "helpers" to get the trainee in and out of the machine. The cam configuration was such that it measured several feet in diameter.
Now, the cams are now only several inches in diameter and the machines are adaptable to any body size. Many improvements took place since the first public appearance of Nautilus machines at the show in Los Angeles.
Original cams took a form that resembled the inner chamber of a nautilus seashell. Thus, the name Nautilus, used for the name of the equipment. Now, the cams are manufactured of aluminum.
The original cams became an identifying trademark. Rings and necklaces were custom designed and worn by many Nautilus pioneers.
Eager to test the validity of his inventions and exercise concepts, Mr. Jones set up a group of machines in an old Quonset hut on the DeLand High School campus. There, working with scores of fitness pioneers, continuous research reshaped the machines and the exercise concepts.
Everyone was welcome to participate in these test projects. It seemed that there was always an eager disciple around to put a subject through the program, of what was eventually termed, high-intensity exercise.
Bodybuilder Mike Mentzer, a Jones convert, pioneered a version of high intensity he termed “Heavy Duty.” Those early workouts are accurately described as, brutal.
Strongmen came from throughout the country to test the machines and question the sanity of Guru Jones. Because the workout and training pace were 180 percent out-of-phase with other training concepts, many which tried them, became nauseous.
So intense were the workouts. Understandably, many refused to continue this method of training.
Misguided Nautilus instructors still get their kicks by attempting these outdated techniques. Who, in his right mind would or could, give 100 percent effort during every exercise.
Few had the mental discipline to reach down inside and drive themselves into physical obliteration.
One who possessed this ability was teenager Casey Viator. Arthur Jones personally trained Casey. Blessed with extraordinary genetics, the intense, one-on-one training produced one of the most powerful and muscular physiques of all time.
Casey was driven "beyond failure" by the prodding Jones who pulled no punches, and spared no feelings.
A master of psychology, Jones would manipulate Casey during a workout in which squats with 500 pounds for 20 repetitions and barbell curls with 225 pounds reportedly became child's play. At a height of 5'8", Viator claimed measurements that were enormous.
His arms taped at 193/8", his chest at 50", waist 311/2", 28" thighs, and 18"calves. The mystique of Casey Viator played an important role in the early success of Nautilus. Often referred to by Arthur Jones as: "Our resident genetic freak,” Casey and Arthur eventually parted company.
Years later, Casey is revered as one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time.
Iron Man magazine published many articles by Arthur Jones in the 1970's. Arthur Jones productions became Nautilus Sports/Medical Industries. An important name change, it created a national image, needed to expand the interest in Nautilus equipment to larger markets such as colleges, hospitals, and for use in the corporate fitness area.
Articles and advertisements, first in Iron Man magazine and later in Athletic Journal, spread the Nautilus gospel. For many years, every issue contained articles, updates, franchise information, and letters of endorsement, controversial editorials, and the expected muckraking.
Meanwhile, at Nautilus Headquarters in Florida, several key men joined the Nautilus staff. Ed Farnham became general manager, and played a major role in creating and protecting the Nautilus image and his own for over a decade.
Ellington Darden began to publish books consolidating the Nautilus concepts, giving them) balance and substance. Except for Arthur Jones, Dr. Darden is the person that visitors to Nautilus Headquarters were most eager to meet. Dr. Darden led what many people (including me) would define as an idealistic lifestyle.
Living only a five-minute commute, by battered bicycle, to his office at Nautilus Headquarters, he was never far from his position at the right hand of Arthur Jones.
A world traveler, the image of him pedaling a rusty balloon-tired bike through the streets of Lake Helen always brings a smile to my face.
Jim Flanagan, the present general manager, replaced Ed Farnham, was with the company since its inception, until its sale in about 1986. An impressive giant of a man at 6'5" and extremely broad-shouldered his calm, deliberate, and courteous manner of handling clients won him respect throughout the country, and in foreign lands.
Unlike some of his contemporaries who remain in virtual isolation at Nautilus Headquarters, Big Jim has kept his finger on the pulse of the fitness business by crisscrossing the country, speaking at clinics and trade shows.
After the sale of the Nautilus Company, Jim became associated with the MedX Company. Arthur Jones founded this company after the sale of his Nautilus Company.
MedX equipment was the evolution of Nautilus equipment and initially focused on the medical industry. The equipment was a major breakthrough in the testing and rehabilitation of lumbar spine and cervical spine injuries. Eventually, other equipment was focused on the knee and other areas of the body.
Beginning in late 1989 and through the 1990’s, I was fortunate to become, the Regional Director, of Northern California for MedX West and helped pioneer advanced testing and rehabilitation exercise based in MedX technology and rehabilitative procedures.
Responsible only to Arthur Jones, Dan Baldwin wielded considerable power within the Nautilus organization. In charge of the manufacturing plant in Virginia, his keen eye for detail and perfection are evident in the quality control of Nautilus equipment. He was also instrumental in the development of Nautilus Magazine.
Dick Butkus, the former mauling linebacker of the Chicago Bears and a mainstay of the Miller Lite commercials also served as a low- key representative for Nautilus, although his role was not widely known at the time.
Only after a highly publicized trial of Arthur Jones for Income tax evasion was, it revealed (by the Orlando Sentinel in Florida) that Dick Butkus was officially on the Nautilus payroll.
That trial resulted in a victory for Arthur Jones over the Internal Revenue Service. The judgment was, not guilty.
These men and others whose commitment was as sincere but shorter lived formed the core of the empire. During my tenure with Nautilus Headquarters, I had the advantage of observing the inner-workings of the company.
To this day, I must admit that I admire the commitment exhibited by the "Nautilus purists.” It would be impossible to find a more dedicated, or more intense group in any international corporation.
The commotion caused by their leader Arthur Jones has given rise to many stories, some fact, and some fiction. Most I will hold for another time. Some I will share in this book.
As one example, at a seminar I attended on the campus of Duke University when heckled by a non-believer in the audience, Arthur Jones challenged the larger-framed man to "Step outside, and we will see whose training methods work better." The heckler decided not to check out the feisty Mr. Jones. Smart move!
Anyone, who has seen him in action, knows that he can be intense, demanding, profane, humorous, unsympathetic to bunglers, and possess a temper and tongue that can render an adversary senseless. At other times, he is a very humorous man.
One time, for example, he decided to videotape a television program on one of his HUGE rattlesnakes. Television cameras were set up for the event at the Nautilus television studios.
One camera, with a telephoto lens manned by master-camera man Harry L. was at the farthest end of a one hundred foot long hall, poised to record the event.
Harry’s camera aimed down the long hall to a small stage set that was to be the focal point of the taping. The set consisted of two chairs with a small platform about two feet high, between them.
The plan was for Arthur to place the snake on the platform in a coiled position, while Mary P. sat in one chair and Arthur in the other, with the snake between them, while they discussed rattlesnakes. The snake had other ideas.
A group of about 20 employees and visitors began to gather around the set. Up to a point, all went fairly well.
Arthur carried the snake from its second-floor cage in the Serpentarium, down a flight of about 20 stairs, into the stage setting.
This feat was one to watch, accomplished with bare hands and a long stick, curved on one end. This snake stick was the only barrier between Mr. Jones, the increasingly nervous onlookers and the soon to be agitated snake.
Down the stairs he came, the sea of onlookers parting quickly to let him pass. Winding his way through the crowd, he placed the snake carefully on the platform between the chairs. At this time, the snake began having second thoughts about the entire event.
Mary P., standing out of camera range was looking about as calm as you might expect under the circumstances. Mary had previous experience working with a mixture of animals during the videotaping of various wild life programs at Nautilus Television.
Now, Arthur was not sitting in one of the chairs, the snake by his side. Mary was sitting on the other side of the snake, which is between her and Arthur. Its rattling was beginning to make people very nervous, its intensity threateningly increasing.
Harry, the camera man, under fire to focus the camera, had his hands full tying to take orders from an increasingly agitated Arthur Jones as well as a director in a video booth who is giving Harry orders via the headset Harry is wearing.
The onlookers, me among them, and Joe Weider, publisher of Muscle & Fitness Magazine, were now edging away from the stage. Everyone was beginning to make eye contact with each other, as if silently asking “Is this safe?”
For a short time, everything seemed settled. Mary and Arthur were in their respective chairs. Even the rattlesnake seemed to like the attention. But, not for long!
Then, something got the snake’s attention. It decided to vamoose. First plunking off the platform onto the floor, it quickly slithered toward the crowd. People scattered in all directions.
As the snake attempted to head for an open door, Arthur kept pulling it back into the room by its tail. He picked its tail up and plopped it back on the floor as if the snake were a stick.
Arthur decided it was time to measure the sucker. He began screaming for someone to hold one end of a tape measure against the floor near the snake’s tail “Hold the end of the tape right here,” he barked.
I am think to myself, “Here’s my chance to endear myself to Mr. Jones and prove I am not afraid of a 15-foot rattlesnake. However, in a moment of more lucid thinking, I decide it is a no-no. I am not as dumb as I look. I couldn’t be!
Finally, someone stepped forward and put his foot on the end of the tape. He was told again in no uncertain terms, and in what can best be described as “barracks language” “I said to hold the ######&%$#$%% tape; I did not say step on it”
The brave soul knelt down and held the tape. The snake is pulled in line with the tape measure, and the measurement taken. All was going well. But now it was decided to get a picture of the snake with Arthur holding it at arms length.
Everyone adjourned to the next room. One of the large television studios, containing a stage that rises from the floor up to a level of about 4 feet. Up on the stage walked Arthur Jones, snake in hand.
Decades of snake handling were apparent in the way Arthur Jones handled the snake’s elusive head, with the snake stick. About a foot from its end, the stick has a curve resembling a fishhook.
Holding the snake in his hand, Arthur skilfully manoeuvred the curved end of the stick to keep a respectable distance between the snake’s mouth and Arthur’s body.
He walked to the front of the stage so that when the snake was held at the height of Arthur’s head, the snake’s body stretched below the level of the stage.
As the snake returned to its cage on the second floor, the employees began to filter back to their respective jobs. They have just witnessed their leader taunt death and survive.
Paul H., a resident Nautilus cameraman, snapped pictures of the event. Everyone became relaxed, beginning to realize what he or she had witnessed.
As the snake returned to its cage on the second floor, the employees began to filter back to their respective jobs. They have just witnessed their leader defy death and win. A heady feeling!
The ease Arthur displayed when handling he snake had a lasting effect on me. It was one of those, “if he can do it, I can do it” feelings. Several months later, I did have a chance to test my snake-handling skill.
Stopping by my house to pick up my exercise clothes, my friend Doug Feed and I, were alerted by a neighbor, that a large rattlesnake was “up the road in the bushes.” Doug, who worked for Nautilus and was responsible for feeding and grooming the 60 or so crocodiles kept on the Nautilus premises in Lake Helen, grabbed a rake and took off, up the road to confront the rattlesnake. I followed, with a garden hoe in hand.
Sure enough, there was a rather large snake, coiled in the brush, and apparently very angry. Doug and I, showing no fear and perhaps a complete lack of common sense, began to attempt to pin the snake and drag it out of the woods. All the time, the snake was letting us know that it did not want to go.
We sent a neighbor back to my house to get a large, metal garbage can.
Our plan was to drag the snake out of the woods, using our gardening tools, place it in the metal can, place a lid on its top, and take the snake to Arthur Jones. Easier said than done!
The snake coiled, struck at us several times, wrapped itself around small trees, and violently shook its rattlers. We persisted. Finally, we dragged the snake into the over-turned garbage can and we turned the can upright.
Then, after shaking each other’s hands in congratulations of our big-game capture, we placed the lid on the can. Doug took one handle, I took the other and we walked back to my car. The violent rattling of the snake echoed from the metal can. The snake was very upset with its new environment.
At this point, we were fearless. There was no way the snake could hurt us now. Unless, it could bite through the metal can. We climbed into my car, I sat in the driver’s seat and Doug was on the passenger’s side. The metal can with the snake inside was on Doug’s lap. We were in a Honda Prelude, not a heck of a lot of room under ordinary circumstances and less room; given the large can the seating was snug.
Confident, and happy about our capture, we started the drive back to Nautilus Headquarters. We joked that this gift for Arthur should insure our job for quite a while. We were in the speeding car for only a few minutes, when the loud rattling of the snake ceased and the metal can stopped vibrating.
All was quiet, except for the piercing pounding of our hearts, as we realized that we had failed to check the bottom of the can for any holes!!!!
At the same instant, my eyes and Doug’s met. I am thinking that it is all over for Doug. What will I tell his wife, Lydia and his children?
Pulling the car quickly to the side of the road, we jumped out and inspected the bottom of the can. All was well. No holes! Yahoo! We climbed back into the car, continued our journey and presented Arthur with the snake.
It turned out that the snake was a pregnant female and of a kind not in the Nautilus snake collection. To the best of my knowledge, it is still in the collection. Not many Nautilus employees can make that statement, or would want to.
Arthur Jones continues his love affair with snakes and crocodiles. He recently flew to Africa in his 727 and brought back to his farm in Ocala, Florida, a herd of elephants. They now share the farm with horses, huge crocodiles, a gorilla, and assorted other animals. A benevolent Mr. Jones saved them from possible extinction.
From rather humble beginnings, Nautilus has grown into a fitness empire. Along with an expanded line of commercial Nautilus equipment, a new market appeared. The in-home market projected as a multi-billion dollar market over the coming years, Nautilus plans to get its share.
Several in-home machines are presently available; others planned. Less expensive machines than the “standard” Nautilus models, intended for the high school and college market, are presently available. These “leverage” machines and the “infimetric” models should enable Nautilus to hold its market share.
Arthur Jones and Nautilus have travelled a long way.
The impact on fitness has been considerable. Nautilus was the right invention, at the right time.
It is doubtful however, if Nautilus would have succeeded without the aggressive, perceptive
Mr. Jones as the focal point. His ability to explain, in simple, logical terms, the flaws that were prevalent in fitness tools and exercise concepts, combined with his ability to offer alternatives, is as important in the success of Nautilus as his invention of the Nautilus equipment.
He has often said (tongue in cheek), “There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles.” If he truly believes this, he has overlooked his most obvious gift; there is nothing more valuable than a rational mind capable of deductive logic.
His ability to perceive abstract concepts and integrate them into useful information is what set him above his contemporaries.
A preferred essay of Arthur Jones, “The Hunting of the Slan,” by Edgar Allan Foe, may sum up his view of life:
“I have sometimes amused myself by endeavouring to fancy what would be the fate of any individual gifted, or rather accursed, with an intellect very far superior to that of his race. Of course, he would not be conscious of his superiority nor could he (if otherwise constituted as man is) help manifesting his consciousness.
Thus, he would make himself enemies at all points. And since his opinions and speculations would likely differ from those of all mankind—that he would be considered a madman, is evident.
How horribly painful such a condition! Hell could invent no greater torture than that of being charged with abnormal weakness on account of being abnormally strong.
In like manner, nothing can be clearer than that a very generous spirit—truly feeling what all merely profess—must inevitably find itself misconceived on every direction—its motives misinterpreted.
Just as extremeness of intelligence would be thought fatuity, so excess of chivalry could not fail of being looked upon as meanness in its last degree—so with other virtues. This subject is a painful one indeed. That individuals have so soared about the plane of their race is scarcely to be questioned; but, in looking back through history for traces of their existence, we should pass over all biographies of ‘the good and the great,” while we search carefully the slight records of wretches who died prison, in Bedlam, or upon the gallows.”
Many people are on record as detractors of Arthur Jones. I am not one of them.
I first met him in the early 70’s, worked for him in the 80’s, and 90’s. Also, felt fortunate to spend much time observing and talking with him in Lake Helen, flew in his Citation Jet, with him as the pilot, during a massive lightening and thunder storm when flying into San Francisco.
Stayed at his home in Ocala, Florida, ate with him in a restaurant in Mexico as mice ran across the floor, and was privileged to share many a coffee with him, while marvelling at his insightful and powerful intellect.
At no time did he ever treat me with disrespect. He was a very fair and generous employer who freely shared his money and thoughts.
He is the type of man who, should you be faced with going to war to protect your family and the country, you would hope to have a man like him at your side.
