Richard Simmons Shares Moving Message on Final Day of His Studio
The fitness guru gives his heartfelt thoughts on the closing of Slimmons, the iconic studio that made him famous
November 21, 2016
After over 40 years of helping thousands improve their health and self-esteem, Richard Simmons’s Beverly Hills fitness studio Slimmons closed its doors on Saturday. The 68-year-old fitness pioneer took to Facebook to give his thoughts on the closing of this monumental chapter in his life and the lives of so many others.
“I will not see you today because I am not very good at endings. I would just spend the whole time hugging and crying. My eyes would get puffy and red, my hair would get all frizzy and I’d be a mess,” Richard wrote. “I cannot bear to be sad today. And you shouldn’t be sad either. This should be a celebration of our forty-plus years together dancin’ and sweatin’. So let’s turn this ending into a new beginning.”
The closing comes after the former Stern Show guest’s recent step away from the spotlight. Richard announced the decision to close the Slimmons studio back in October. Though the closing is sad news, Richard said this new step is a positive one for him personally.
“It’s been over forty years now, and I am finally taking my own advice,” Richard said. “I am being kind to myself, and putting myself first. I am making changes and taking time to do the things I want to do. Please know that I am in good health and I am happy. No one has ever been able to tell me what to do and the same is true today. I am still independent, determined and opinionated. I simply am making a new beginning for myself — quietly and in my very own special way.”
Richard thanked everyone who has ever worked, attended, and helped Slimmons over the years before closing with a line that could double as his life mantra: “Be kind to one another, be kind to your body and be kind to yourself.”
Read Richard’s complete farewell here.
