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Denise Austin
About

About

Denise Austin - America’s Favorite Fitness Expert
A pioneer in the fitness industry for 40+ years
Denise Austin is a champion for women who aspire to be healthy, active, and vibrant at every stage of life. Widely recognized as one of the most successful and trusted names in fitness and wellness, Denise has inspired millions around the world through her motivating personality, approachable fitness philosophy, and signature positive energy.

For 24 years, Denise hosted the #1 exercise show on television, airing daily on ESPN and Lifetime, inspiring millions to get moving in their living rooms. Over the course of her career, she has sold more than 25 million fitness VHS tapes and DVDs, making her one of the most successful home-workout creators of all time. She has also authored 12 best-selling books and earned induction into the Video Hall of Fame for her groundbreaking contributions to the fitness industry.

Denise is the founder of DeniseAustin.com and the Denise Austin Fitness App, where she continues to motivate women with her signature workouts, wellness plans, and supportive community. Her thriving digital platform offers more than 700 workout videos, over 600 healthy recipes, wellness programs and challenges, and fitness plans tailored especially for women over 50. Her online community includes thousands of active members, supported by 1.8+ million social media followers, and more than 70 million YouTube video views.


In recognition of her lifelong impact on the fitness world, Denise was honored as the 2025 IDEA® Jack & Elaine LaLanne Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient, one of the industry’s most prestigious accolades.


Denise is also the creator and face of the top-selling quarterly retail special interest publication, Fit Over 50 Magazine, which has remained a leading wellness and fitness magazine for women over 50 for the past five years.A true multi-platform lifestyle brand, Denise has expanded into consumer products and retail partnerships, Denise Austin treadmills, and fitness accessories. She is also a longtime television retail success story, holding the QVC record for selling 95,000 pairs of fitness shoes in a single day as a Today’s Special Value, and continues to achieve sellout success on HSN.


In 2022, Denise made headlines when she walked the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Runway at age 65, becoming the oldest woman ever to appear on the SI Swim runway, sharing the moment side-by-side with her daughter, Katie. The empowering mother-daughter moment inspired women everywhere to embrace confidence, strength, and ageless beauty.


A native of San Pedro, California, Denise earned a degree in Physical Education with an emphasis in exercise physiology from California State University, Long Beach after receiving an athletic scholarship in gymnastics. Early in her career, she co-hosted The Jack LaLanne Show and later became the fitness expert on Today before launching her own iconic television fitness empire. Throughout her career, Denise has served on the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and has long championed heart health, nutrition, healthy aging, and realistic wellness habits that empower women to live stronger, happier lives.


Her trademark zest for life, positive outlook, and authentic connection with women have made her an inspiration for four decades. Denise has been married to sports attorney Jeff Austin for more than 40 years, and is the proud mother of daughters Kelly and Katie. Denise's mission is to support women feeling their best - at any age or fitness level.