Remembering Red Lerille

“Hello, goodbye, and toilet paper.”

According to Lloyd “Red” Lerille, owner of Red Lerille’s Health & Racquet Club in Lafayette, Louisiana, those are the three most important things in business. Considering his successful 63 years in the health and fitness industry and his induction into the HFA’s inaugural Hall of Fame class, it’s hard to argue with his wisdom.

From Humble Beginnings to Industry Pioneer

Red’s journey began as a three-time high school wrestling champion in New Orleans. Inspired by his uncle Harold, Red saw fitness as transformative. In 1953, he trained at Ajax, Joe Gold’s New Orleans gym, honing his skills in bodybuilding and business. He began competing in contests and won the Mr. America title in 1960, before serving a stint in the Navy.

“When Red got out of the Navy, Mike Stansbury had him manage his gym in Lafayette,” recalls Red’s daughter Kackie Lerille. “He came with a bag of clothes and a unicycle. All he ever wanted was to own a little gym like that.”

With a $200 loan from his father, Red and his wife, Emma, opened Red Lerille’s Health & Racquet Club, a 3,500-square-foot gym in Lafayette, in 1963.

“The first club was small. We joke it was the size of a racquetball court,” says Kackie. “It was really a labor of love. My dad built his own equipment because you couldn’t buy any.”

He eventually moved to his current location in 1965, upgrading to 4,000 square feet. But, as with bodybuilding, staying small was never part of the plan. In 1968, Red made his first addition, adding a vinyl pool. There was no going back.

“Red decided early on he was going to reinvest in the club and do something new every month,” says Mark Lerille, Red’s son, who now manages the property. “It didn’t matter if it was something small or something that would take time to finish, he was going to do something every month.”

It’s a tradition that continues to this day.