By Tom McKeown
If you’ve spent any time in the world of fitness, you may think you’ve seen it all: trendy gyms, one-size-fits-all programs, and loud promises rarely backed by results. But then you meet Forrest Michals—the 82-year-old founder of Fit 2-20 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area—and suddenly, the bar is reset.
Forrest isn’t just another fitness entrepreneur. He’s lived—and shaped—modern fitness history. From secretly lifting dumbbells at 3 a.m. as a teenager in the 1950s to training alongside legends like Larry Scott (the first Mr. Olympia), Forrest has spent a lifetime refining the art and science of human performance. Now, through Fit 2-20, he’s pioneering a future-forward solution designed for people who don’t have hours to spend in the gym—but want real, lasting results.
A Smarter Solution to a National Epidemic
“We opened Fit 2-20 almost six years ago because there’s a health crisis far worse than COVID—it’s obesity, diabetes, and the loss of muscle mass as we age,” Forrest told me. “This studio is our way of making a dent in that problem, even if it’s just in our corner of the DFW metroplex.”
What sets Fit 2-20 apart? A trifecta of transformation: fitness, nutrition, and accountability—each personalized, each backed by decades of experience and cutting-edge science.
Most people don’t work out because they’re short on time or unsure what to do. Fit 2-20 takes those excuses off the table. With technologies like ARX (adaptive resistance exercise) and Vasper (blood flow restriction training with cooling), Forrest and his team have compressed what would be a 2-hour workout into just 20 minutes, twice per week—without sacrificing intensity or results.
Each session is guided by a personal fitness coach, who tailors the workout, perfects form, and tracks progress. That’s paired with a nutrition coach who helps clients build sustainable, realistic food strategies—not crash diets. Finally, accountability coaches help clients stay consistent. “We’ll call you and make sure you show up,” Forrest says, smiling.
This isn’t a place for fads. It’s a laboratory for long-term health.
When Legends Lead, People Follow
To understand how Forrest got here, you need to understand his journey. In his youth, weight training was taboo. “My parents thought I’d stunt my growth. My coach said I’d become ‘muscle bound’ and handed out pamphlets against weightlifting,” he laughs.
But Forrest trained anyway—first in secret, and eventually alongside the very icons who built modern bodybuilding. He worked summers for Rio H. Blair, who introduced protein supplementation to bodybuilding, and trained at Vince Gironda’s gym—where even Arnold Schwarzenegger showed up for guidance.
He launched one of the first Nautilus gyms in the U.S., worked directly with Arthur Jones, and even designed a prototype machine called the Power Master, an early predecessor to ARX. It was so effective, it was picked up by the U.S. Olympic team and the San Francisco 49ers—until insurance limitations forced him to pull it off the market.
He later mentored a generation of top strength coaches who went on to lead conditioning programs at Ohio State, Miami, and for pro teams like the Giants and Jets. The National Strength and Conditioning Association itself was founded by former members of his Nebraska gym.
Forrest hasn’t just witnessed fitness history. He helped write it.
The Biohacker’s Gym for the Rest of Us
Fit 2-20’s members range in age from 14 to 90, but many are physicians, corporate executives, and other high performers who value time and results. Nearly 50% of his clients are medical doctors, and as Forrest points out, “That says something.”
Skeptical? That’s normal. “Until people try ARX or Vasper, they don’t get it,” he says. “Then their eyes light up.”
To ease doubts, Fit 2-20 offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked. So far, they haven’t had to issue a single refund. Every Google review? A perfect 5-star.
Aging Strong—and With Purpose
When Forrest’s wife was diagnosed with a terminal illness, they returned from Hawaii to Texas to be closer to family. After she passed, Fit 2-20 became a way to channel his grief into purpose.
Now, at 82, Forrest doesn’t take any medication. His strength, clarity, and energy aren’t the result of genetics, but of discipline and science. “Muscle is our greatest defense against aging,” he says. “Sarcopenia starts in your 30s, but resistance training can stop that decline.”
His advice to those on the fence? “You can live with the pain of discipline—or the pain of regret. The pain of discipline is far less.”
Final Thoughts
America spends more on healthcare than any other nation, yet we’re among the sickest. Forrest sees Fit 2-20—and gyms like it—as a missing piece of the puzzle.
“This isn’t just about weight loss. It’s about strength, vitality, and living life on your terms,” he says. “We need to change how we approach fitness and aging. We have the tools now. We just need the will.”
Interested in connecting with Forrest or visiting Fit 2-20?
You can find the studio in Plano, TX, or learn more at fit2-20.com. If you’re a medical practitioner or longevity expert looking to collaborate, reach out—Forrest welcomes the conversation.