Our Story
More than 40 years ago, the concept of exercise was virtually nonexistent. One man changed that. Kenneth H. Cooper, MD, MPH, knew the benefits of exercise where life-changing and life-saving, and that he needed to “bridge the gap between faddism and scientific legitimacy.” Dr. Cooper coined the term “aerobics,” inventing the revolutionary fitness concept and introducing it to the world through his 1968 bestseller, Aerobics .
After 13 years of service in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force, Dr. Cooper established The Cooper Institute in June of 1970, a non-profit organization dedicated to preventive medicin research and education. The Cooper Institute produced the landmark 1989 study, which proved moderate physical activity can decrease risks of death from all causes by 58 percent. Just six months after opening The Cooper Institute, Dr. Cooper started Cooper Clinic, a preventive medicine facility offering comprehensive physica exams. Dr. Cooper was the first physician in Dallas to routinely use the treadmill stress test as a way to detect early signs of heart disease, and to date has seen more than 100,000 patients at Cooper Clinic.
Today, Dr. Cooper and his son Dr. Tyler Cooper have expanded their healthy-living mission to create Cooper Aerobics and its eight health and wellness entities that provide a variety of products and services for individuals and corporations. The Cooper Aerobics entities include a fitness center, spa, hotel, corporate wellness consulting, a vitamin line and a wellness program.
Through the array of services offered, Cooper Aerobics is challenging America to Get Cooperized! by adopting a healthy living mindset to live better both sooner and later. Dr. Cooper himself has created eight health guidelines to achieve the Cooperized lifestyle.
Read more about aerobics and the Cooper Aerobics history timeline.