Tom Young

TOM YOUNG, FITNESS INDUSTRY PIONEER

Tom Young, a pioneer of the modern health and fitness industry in the American West, passed away at age 92, his family announced. One of eleven children, Young grew up in Brooklyn, New York, served proudly in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, and eventually made New Mexico his home and his heart for more than 70 years.

Young founded and operated Tom Young’s Fitness Centers and other health and fitness facilities throughout New Mexico, and Texas. Over several decades, his businesses served an estimated 500,000 members and employed thousands of people. Three generations of families exercised in his clubs, which became communities where members built friendships, confidence and healthier lives.

Long before organized fitness became mainstream, Young helped pioneer the combination of fitness centers, health spas, swimming, racquetball, recreation and wellness under one roof. During the 1970s, he helped introduce separate men’s and women’s spa facilities within full-service fitness centers. A respected figure in bodybuilding, he knew and interacted with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lou Ferrigno, Tom Platz and many others, judged bodybuilding competitions, and practiced personal training decades before it became an established profession.

Young lived by the philosophy:

“Think positive, work out, take vitamins, eat right, and you’ll live healthy.”

He continued exercising and lifting weights into his 90s. His knowledge and philosophy were passed to younger generations, including his sons Kurt, Jeff, Dezi and Tom as well as all of the sibling, including grandson Valentino, his final client and protégé.

Young is survived by his beloved wife of more than six decades, Connie Young, ten children, and dozens of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Above all his accomplishments, Tom considered family his greatest legacy. He will be remembered for helping hundreds of thousands become stronger, healthier and more positive.

Services will be held on Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at Cristo Rey Catholic Church; Rosary at 10:00 am, Mass 11:00am with internment at 1:15pm at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.