Richard Simmons to Close Exercise Studio Next Month
The famed Los Angeles studio helped start his career.
— -- Richard Simmons is closing his famous exercise center, Slimmons Studio in Los Angeles, in November.
The fitness guru announced the news on Facebook.
"Some of you may have heard that Slimmons will close next month," Simmons wrote Friday. "While it is true, it has been an amazing part of my life to teach, meet and support people from all over the world."
"I want to thank everyone who has come through those studio doors to laugh, cry and sweat with me! Remember to keep sweatin', keep movin' and most importantly go out and Vote!" he added.
Simmons, 68, closed the note with: "Love Richard xo."
According to the fitness studio's website, Slimmons opened in 1974 and catapulted Simmons into the national spotlight as news of his fitness techniques spread. That eventually led to him getting a role to play himself on "General Hospital" in 1980.
The news of Simmons' studio closing comes amid the actor taking a break from the spotlight. He explained his more than two-year absence from public life during a phone interview with "Entertainment Tonight" back in March, saying, "It was time for me to take some time to be by myself."
"For the last 40 years I have been traveling, teaching classes, and I had a knee injury, so I had a knee replacement, which was very difficult for me," Simmons explained. "I have really just been taking it easy, staying at home, working out in my gym and doing the things I haven't done in a very long time."
"I still weigh 150," he added. "I work out every day. I have a gym at the house, and I am very healthy."