Ludwig Durlacher, also known as Louis Attila, (July 2, 1844 – March 15, 1924) was a Grand Duchy of Baden-born American strongman, gym owner and personal trainer. He trained members of European royal families and American high society as well as athletes like Eugen Sandow and James J. Corbett. He was "one of the first 'personal trainers' for the rich and famous".[1]
Early life
Durlacher was born on July 2, 1844, in Karlsruhe, Grand Duchy of Baden.[1][2][3] He was trained by Italian strongman Felice Napoli from a young age, and he later joined the Baden Sharpshooters, a sports club.[1][3]
Durlacher became "one of the first 'personal trainers' for the rich and famous".[1] His clients included many members of high society like Cornelius Vanderbilt and members of royal families of Denmark, Norway, Britain, Greece and Russia.[1][3] After opening his own gym in Brussels in 1886,[2] he began training Eugen Sandow, an early bodybuilder.[1][4][5] He opened another gym in Bloomsbury, London in 1889, and he continued to train Sandow.[1]