In 1974, Richard Simmons opened his first Beverly Hills exercise studio, the Anatomy Asylum — a place where people of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds could move without judgment. Alongside it, he launched Ruffage, one of the area’s very first salad bars, designed to provide healthy, affordable food for everyone who came to exercise. This unique combination of fitness and nutrition created a welcoming, inclusive environment where physical, emotional, and mental well-being worked hand in hand.
A year later, the Anatomy Asylum was renamed Slimmons, a name that would become synonymous with joy, acceptance, and community. Richard’s approach — celebrating the whole person — would ultimately transform the wellness world forever and set him on the path to cultural icon status.
A Creative Force
Following the success of The Richard Simmons Show, Richard purchased his home off Sunset Boulevard, where he lovingly curated art, objects, and furnishings. He called it his “own little monastery” — a personal retreat away from the spotlight.
But Richard never slowed down. His creativity flowed into cookbooks, exercise products, workout programs, videos, cruises, and more. Through it all, he kept teaching at Slimmons and personally answered fan letters, emails, and calls. His signature colorful shorts and dazzling crystal-studded tank tops made him instantly recognizable, cementing his place in pop culture history.
Personal Memories
Denise Ittenbach recalls:
“I first met Richard in September 1981 on the set of The Richard Simmons Show at KTLA Channel 5. He pulled me up on stage to exercise with him to Stevie Wonder’s ‘Superstition.’ It was just me and him — I’ll never forget it. My tights had ripped earlier that day, so I had to wear orange sweats instead. Richard must have loved the orange. He picked me. He told me, he liked my energy. Immediately, he asked me to come to L.A. to work with him.
When I told him I was from Yucaipa, he smiled and said he knew it well. He had once visited a psychic there who told him he’d be famous. He laughed, not believing it then. I was still in high school at the time, but after graduation I went to his Brea studio and then later his Beverly Hills studio. I worked out with him, ate with him, and spent time with him. We became great friends.”
Honoring the Legacy
A warm, loving, and vivacious spirit, Richard Simmons changed countless lives for the better, gifting the world acceptance, self-love, and respect.
Today, Denise Ittenbach of Cozy Nook Inc. has contracted with Ron Cobert’s OhYeahLive division of Sunscope Entertainment Corp. to honor Richard’s mission. Together, they are creating a new venture designed to preserve Richard’s legacy — keeping alive the inspiration, joy, and energy he gave so freely.