INCLUDES TWO VIDEOS | Discover how this group fitness instructor – rejected for other TV exercise shows – is starting his 40th year of creating his own, national award-winning workout programs you can enjoy right now, at home [or anywhere] …
In the main studio of MetroEast, a volunteer-run local cable television production center, Larry Smith confers with the all-volunteer crew, as he gets ready to video-record his 40th year anniversary show of Body*Smith Workout.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Anyone who subscribes to Portland area cable TV has likely come across the Body*Smith Workout show. What’s remarkable is its creator and host, Foster-Powell resident Larry Smith, has been video recording and presenting these half-hour exercise programs for FORTY years.
On February 14, Smith recorded his “reunion program” – episode #709 – and East Portland News was there, to report on the celebration.
Watch our “behind the scenes” video of this production:
“It’s true; I have been a group fitness instructor since 1984, and the producer/host of The Body*Smith Workout since 1986,” confirmed Smith in an interview after the production and accompanying party.
Some of the participants on this Body*Smith Workout show recording have returned, traveling from afar, to be part of this particular anniversary recording session.
Rejection leads to creating program
“In 1985, I auditioned to appear on the popular local fitness show produced by Rogers Cable called ‘Work It Out with Christi Litvin’,” Smith recalled. “At the time, I was kind of skinny and wore braces – and was not selected – but one guy who made the cut was a gymnast on the Portland State cheer squad.
“I also went on a ‘cattle call’ audition for another local fitness show, and was again rejected,” Smith continued. “At that point, my PSU cheerleading stunt partner and I just decided to start our own fitness show.”
The first show they recorded took place on February 1, 1986 on the Mt. Hood Community College Theater Department Stage when Smith was 29 years old and it aired later that month. The show’s co-production continued for six years until Smith decided to “go solo” in 1992.
Larry Smith leads the group in an aerobic workout, just as he has for the whole 708 episodes.
Offered as a public service
Asked why he’s kept The Body*Smith Workout show this long, he replied, “I hard to discourage! Seriously, though, the show has been a valuable community service, offering fitness opportunities to people to be able to work on their fitness at home.
“The program reaches people who would be intimidated by joining a gym, and those who don’t have the resources to pay for a gym membership,” said Smith. “My goal has been to encourage people of all ages and body types to maintain or improve their health.”
Some 200 individuals have appeared exercising with him on his shows, many of whom became regulars, and have participated in many episodes over the years.
Lively music and Larry Smith’s enthusiasm is part of the reason this program has stayed popular for so long.
Now a local celebrity
“Strangers often recognize me, when I am out in the community,” admitted Smith. “One guy stopped me in a grocery store and told me he and his wife had been working out with me in their living room for years, and in the process lost weight to the point that their doctor has been able to discontinue most of their medications.
“Another woman told me that she did my workouts at home while she was taking care of triplets from birth, until they started school,” Smith went on. “By the time I met her, she was an exercise instructor herself, and said she used to dream about being on the show – which led to her appearing as a guest many times on my show over the past decade.”
A national award-winning program
We asked Smith about the five plaques on his wall. “The show has won the Alliance for Community Media Alliance “Hometown Media Award” five times since 2018 – a nationwide competition considered to be the “Academy Awards of Community Media”.
Smith was still glowing following the recording of his 40th year Anniversary Show, which featured long-time participants.
Participants Brenda Dascomb and Hilda Ike – she traveled from Florida to be at the show – reunite.
“It was a wonderful opportunity to have a ‘block-party style reunion celebration’ with people who became friends of mine over the 40-year run of the show,” Smith smiled. “One of the original participants in the very first show in 1986 returned for this reunion show. I was also able to locate a former co-instructor I hadn’t seen in over 30 years, who was delighted to have a chance to participate in the reunion.
“In keeping with my philosophy of making exercise accessible to everyone, participants in the reunion show ranged in age from 41 to 87. That 87-year-old now teaches five ‘line dance’ sessions weekly.
“Also returning for this show was a former longshoreman, now 83 years old, who taught fitness classes at the longshoreman’s union hall and in gyms for many years.” Smith pointed out.
With bottles of carbonated fruit juice, Larry Smith and returning participates celebrate 40 years of The Body*Smith Show.
Kudos to production volunteers
“Before we go, it’s important to me to mention that this show is ‘staffed’ completely by volunteers who have been trained by the local community television station,” acknowledged Smith. “I wouldn’t have been able to keep the show going without their skill and dedication.”
See this entire episode of the Body*Smith show as presented:
The program shows three times a week at 8:30 a.m. and three times a week at 5 p.m. on local community cable TV.
For those who don’t have cable subscriptions, more than 100 of the episodes can be found on The Body*Smith Workout YouTube channel: CLICK HERE.
© 2026 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
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