Latest news with #RichardSimmons
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Richard Simmons' home has hit market for $10 million
Richard Simmons' longtime Los Angeles mansion has hit the market for $US7 million ($A10.7 million) just one year after he died inside the home. The fitness guru, who shot to fame in the 1970s, passed away in July 2024, days after he celebrated his 76th birthday. The weight loss guru had become increasingly reclusive in the 10 years before his death, Realtor reports. Despite his once-prominent Hollywood profile, from 2014, Simmons was seen outside of his home on just a handful of occasions. Yet, the fitness expert maintained a close connection with his fans through Facebook updates in which he would offer glimpses of his life — while also sharing inspirational messages. The reason behind his disappearance became the source of intense media scrutiny. A TMZ documentary, titled 'What Really Happened to Richard Simmons' claimed that his decision to step away from public life was the result of a longtime ailment that he had suffered since birth. 'Something that happened to him at birth is directly connected to his disappearance — a birth defect that significantly affected one of his legs,' TMZ editor Fabian Garcia claimed in the documentary, according to the New York Post. 'He was born without a full set of bones in his foot, and it causes physical and emotional problems.' In 2024, before his death, Simmons addressed the speculation about his disappearance in a social media post, urging his fans to pay no attention to the rumours. 'Don't believe everything you read. I no longer have a manager, and I no longer have a publicist. I just try to live a quiet life and be peaceful,' he wrote. Still, Simmons' family faced continued scrutiny in the wake of his death, particularly after it was revealed that they had become embroiled in a bitter legal battle with the fitness guru's longtime housekeeper, Teresa Reveles. Two months after her boss' death, Reveles filed a petition with a Los Angeles court in which she claimed that she had been pressured into giving up her role as a co-trustee of his estate, accusing Simmons' brother, Lenny, and his wife, Cathy, of carrying out a 'nefarious scheme' to remove her from all future decisions about his finances. Lenny and his family quickly hit back at the claims, insisting that their only desire was 'protecting and maintaining' Simmons' legacy — while accusing Reveles of 'greed.' Simmons 'would be heartbroken to learn of Teresa's greed and insulted that she would diminish their three decades of supposed friendship in such a public way,' family spokesperson Tom Estey told People in a statement. 'Her actions threaten to harm Richard's incredible legacy, which we are working hard to preserve.' Lenny issued his own statement: 'First, I am solely interested in protecting and maintaining my brother's legacy. 'It was never my intention to play this out in public, but due to circumstances beyond my control, I have been forced to do so. 'Second, we have filed papers with the court that address and refute 'what Teresa has claimed. 'They also provide a brief summary of the reasons I declined Teresa's request to serve as co-trustee and my concerns about why she is proceeding with this litigation.' Lenny also accused Reveles of 'refusing to vacate' his brother's home — stating in court papers that she remained in the dwelling for 76 days after his death and alleging that, when she did finally leave the property, she took $US1 million worth of jewellery and 'other valuable pieces of fine art' with her. 'Although Teresa has her own home, she had a room in Richard's house that she refused to vacate after his death' the court papers read, according to NewsNation. 'When she finally did leave, 76 days later, she took almost $US1 million of Richard's jewellery and other valuable pieces of fine art, which she has refused to return 'And, as discussed below, she participated in the effort to misappropriate the Trust's intellectual property. 'Teresa's counsel has not informed the Trustee whether Teresa intends to keep this property or return it. 'If she decides to try to keep it, the Trustee will have no choice but to file a petition to recover it, which is a clear reason she should not be Co-Trustee. 'The Trustee and his counsel need to appraise any property to be sold and may need to sell it to pay the taxes. 'Teresa should not be permitted to interfere with this process absent serious, legitimate concerns about the administration of the estate that do not exist here.' Now, Simmons' family appears ready to move on from the legal drama — and are parting ways with his expansive dwelling. According to property records, Simmons purchased the home in the 1980s and it is understood to have served as his main residence until he died. However, the dwelling, which was built in 1937, was transferred to a trust of which Lenny is the trustee, after Simmons' death. The online listing calls attention to the property's illustrious history, describing it as the 'Richard Simmons Estate.' However, the images reveal that almost every trace of its former owner has been cleared out — with just a few unique murals left in memory of its famous prior resident. Despite its impressive heritage, the listing also concedes that the property may well be viewed by prospective buyers as a teardown, stating that it presents 'a one-of-a-kind opportunity to own a landmark home or construct a new masterpiece.' The home features a number of unique amenities — not least the sensational views that can be enjoyed from its hilltop perch above the Sunset Strip. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the home comes equipped with a private gym, although the listing notes that this space could be converted if a buyer desires, while a maid's suite and additional guest suite provide ample rooms for guests. Outside, the home's 0.56-acre plot features beautifully landscaped gardens, as well as a swimming pool that is surrounded by trees and a white picket fence for ample privacy.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Richard Simmons' L.A. Mansion Where He Died Listed for $7 Million 1 Year After His Death
The home where Richard Simmons died is up for sale one year after his death His former 4-bedroom and 5-bathroom estate is listed for $7 million The fitness guru died one day after celebrating his 76th birthdayRichard Simmons' longtime Los Angeles home where he died has been listed for sale, one year after his death. The fitness guru died in the Hollywood Hills home one day after celebrating his 76th birthday, his longtime publicist, Tom Estey, confirmed to PEOPLE on July 13, 2024. At the time, a law enforcement source told PEOPLE, "The LAPD are not pursuing the investigation as if foul play was involved at this point." The Richard Simmons Estate, as the $7 million property is called, was built in 1937. Sitting on a half-acre lot above the Sunset Strip, it spans approximately 4,119 sq. ft. and has four bedrooms and five bathrooms. John A. Lucy of Keller Williams Hollywood Hills is the listing agent of the home, which is described as a Neo-Classical Revival colonial. Features include a gated motor court, separate from the stately front portico with grand columns. Once inside, the front doors lead to a formal center hall entry with custom wood flooring, an updated kitchen featuring Thermador appliances and breakfast area, plus a formal dining room spacious enough to hold 10 guests. Additional areas for entertaining include a step-down living room and music room with a double-sided fireplace. Palladian fan windows and French doors are among the carefully thought-out architectural detailing. An added maid suite for staff or guests has its own laundry, pantry and service entrance. With a home this special, of course, the primary suite — with its two levels and four rooms — would also be designed to impress. The area is home to a dressing room, bathroom and a large finished upper level Keiser-equipped gym or additional living space. A pool and pool house are some of the perks to be enjoyed, along with the landscaping design that offers a scenic backdrop. Simmons, known for his vibrant personality, had not been publicly seen since 2014 and became increasingly private as time went on. However, he posted on social media the day before his death, letting fans know he was grateful for the 'many messages' he received for his birthday. Teresa Reveles lived with Simmons for 35 years and was often erroneously referred to as his housekeeper. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. After his death, she recalled how every night a family of skunks would arrive at his back door in West Hollywood, Calif. Simmons would feed them peanuts by hand, getting so close that the animals became accustomed to him. ''Richard! They probably have rabies!' I would tell him,' Reveles told PEOPLE in an exclusive interview. 'He died happy,' she added of her longtime friend. Read the original article on People
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Richard Simmons home hits the market for eye-watering sum nearly a year after he died at the home at age 76
The palatial Hollywood Hills mansion owned by the late Richard Simmons is now on the market for nearly $7,000,000. The gated, colonial-style home located above the Sunset Strip has been listed for $6,999,999. Simmons died at the home last year, just one day after celebrating his 76th birthday. The reclusive fitness guru resided at the home with his devoted friend and house manager, Teresa Reveles, and abruptly stopped making public appearances in 2014, sparking concern from fans. According to the home's listing, which is being held by John A. Lucy of Keller Williams Hollywood Hills, the property was built in 1937 and boasts an array of amenities, including a maid's suite, pool, pool house, updated kitchen, music room, and terraced side yard. Simmons was found in his home by his longtime housekeeper on July 13, 2024 - just one day after celebrating his 76th birthday. A cause of death was revealed back in August, with the Los Angeles Coroner's office informing Simmons' brother Lenny that the death had been 'accidental due to complications from recent falls and heart disease as a contributing factor.' 'The toxicology report was negative other than medication Richard had been prescribed,' family spokesperson Tom Estey told People. 'The Family wishes to thank everyone for their outpouring of love and support during this time of great loss.' Lenny had previously told People that he didn't want 'people to be sad about my brother,' but rather to 'remember him for the genuine joy and love he brought to people's lives.' 'He truly cared about people. He called, wrote and emailed thousands of people throughout his career to offer help,' Lenny said. Simmons had fallen in the bathroom of his home on Friday, July 12 - which marked his 76th birthday - and Reveles had attempted to persuade him to seek immediate medical help, but he declined because it was his birthday, TMZ previously reported. Simmons said he didn't want to go anywhere, informing her that he might go on July 13. Reveles helped him safely get back to his bedroom, where she found him unresponsive the following morning on the floor at around 10 a.m., according to the outlet. He was later pronounced dead on the scene. 'When I saw him, he looked peaceful,' she told People last July of finding Simmons. She noted his hands were balled into fists, prompting her to believe he died of a heart attack. 'That's why I know it was a heart attack. I had a heart attack a few years ago, and my hands did the same.' Simmons was a legendary fitness guru who grew up in the French quarter of New Orleans before settling in California. He weighed 268 pounds when he graduated from high school, his website said. His own story of struggling with weight loss, where he tried everything from fad diets to laxatives before settling on exercise and better lifestyle choices, inspired millions to do the same. Simmons became a master of many media forms, sharing his hard-won weight-loss tips as host of the Emmy-winning daytime 'Richard Simmons Show' and author of best-selling books and the diet plan Deal-A-Meal. He also opened exercise studios and starred in exercise videos, including the wildly successful 'Sweatin' to the Oldies' line, which became a cultural phenomenon. Simmons' daytime show was seen on 200 stations in America, as well as in Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Japan and South America. His first book, 'Never Say Diet', was a smash best-seller. He was known to counsel the severely obese, including Rosalie Bradford, who held records for being the world's heaviest woman, and Michael Hebranko, who credited Simmons for helping him lose 700 pounds. After winning a legion of fans with his infectious enthusiasm and positivity, Simmons stepped away from the limelight in 2014. TMZ founder Harvey Levin later said the fitness icon doesn't spend all his time at his home. 'We found out he likes going to the beach, he'll go shopping, he'll just go out and get air,' he told Good Day in 2022. In 2022, Simmons' spokesperson Tom Estey provided a statement to the New York Post saying that he was 'happy, healthy and living the life he has chosen to live.'
CNN
04-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- CNN
I'm a personal trainer. Here's why this retro stepper is my favorite $14 workout tool
The term 'working out' has always felt like a misnomer to me. Mainly because it suggests it should feel like work. As a certified personal trainer whose job it is to get people excited about moving, I knew the HomGarden Aerobic Stepper could help frame exercise as a playful way to channel your inner '80s aerobics buff, à la Jane Fonda and Richard Simmons. I picked up a similar version of this stepper at three years ago, and it now serves as the foundation of some of my favorite cardio and strength-training sequences. Suitable for beginners, seniors and virtually anyone looking to enhance their cardiorespiratory or muscular endurance, the $14 HomGarden stepper is a total step in the right direction because the benefits of aerobics are so well documented. Recent research from the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that just 11 minutes a day of heart-pumping exercise — like aerobics on a stepper — can reduce your risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease and early death. Here's what stood out in testing as well as everything you need to know before scoring your own totally awesome stepper. HomGarden 31-Inch Adjustable Workout Aerobic Stepper The HomGarden 31-Inch Adjustable Workout Aerobic Stepper is a simple, affordable way to level up your home workouts. I like its durability, slip-resistant design and user-friendly adjustability as well as its three height settings for a range of fitness levels. While its depth and riser height could use a boost for more advanced moves, it's still a fun, effective and affordable exercise tool. Firstly, you should know the exact model I purchased from athletic brand Head is no longer in circulation; however, there's no shortage of similar versions available at sporting goods retailers and online platforms, including Amazon. The model that replicates my stepper down to the exact dimensions and color is this version from HomGarden, which has several thousand reviews, and 72% of them have 5-star ratings. For most users, the stepper is a completely safe way to engage both the lower and upper body in a low-impact manner. If you're currently suffering from knee or ankle instability, though, the act of stepping onto a stepper as well as lowering yourself down in the eccentric phase of the movement can all have negative effects on your joint health. High-impact movements such as jumping on and off the stepper might also pose a risk to deconditioned individuals, those who are new to exercise or those rehabilitating an injury. For any concerns, it's best to consult your primary health care provider or book a session with a personal trainer before incorporating the stepper into your routine. The stepper currently comes in three colors: gray, pink and yellow. Because research suggests colors do, indeed, impact the way we think and feel, try boosting your excitement and reducing any anxiety surrounding your workout by opting for a pop of yellow or pink and save the gray for a rainy day.. Aesthetics aside, it's worth familiarizing yourself with basic aerobic step moves before investing. You can do so by attending step classes at your local gym or browsing YouTube for classes of all levels and music styles. Most gyms offer steppers akin to this one by Zeny that allow you to prop up the deck on unlimited risers. Risers sold separately are mostly compatible with commercial-grade steppers, so unless you purchase additional HomGarden steppers to raise the height, you'll be limited to a step level of about 8 inches. It's user-friendly One of the most common barriers to starting, and sticking to, a regular fitness routine is overly complex or intimidating equipment that leaves you breathless before you even begin using it. The stepper's construction here is simple: You've got a 4-inch deck as its base, with two risers that easily stack underneath to increase the height and add a customizable resistance level. Each riser is 2-inches high, allowing you to work with a 4-, 6- or 8-inch step. The platforms snap on and off quickly, so if you ever need to change your step height mid-workout, you can do so without losing momentum. It's anti-slip Slick surfaces are the enemy of a safe workout. Luckily, this stepper offers multiple forms of traction. The step itself features grooves that help keep your feet firmly planted, adding an element of grip where your shoes might fall short. Then, each riser is equipped with discreet yet effective anti-slip rubber feet to keep the unit grounded, whether you're moving laterally in knee lifts or looking to feel stabilized in a modified push-up. The stepper's legs are curved on one side and straight on the other, and I've found this silhouette helps prevent the unit from tipping over. It's versatile I go through phases in my personal fitness journey where I'm looking to boost either cardiorespiratory endurance or muscular strength. No matter the season, I've found profound use in the stepper. As someone with a lifelong background in dance as a choreographer and coach, the sport now doesn't typically yield a high enough rate of perceived exertion (RPE) to allow me to feel productive in my workout. Whereas standard freestyle dance might feel like a four of 10 in the effort scale for me, the addition of the stepper can easily bump it up to a seven or eight of 10. Amateur dancers, too, will find the stepper challenging to use without it feeling overwhelming. From a strength-training standpoint, introducing the stepper into your routine provides limitless opportunities to get creative and engage your body in exciting ways. Instead of propping your leg up on a chair for Bulgarian split squats, for example (and either sullying the chair, experiencing instability or compromising your form), the stepper acts as an ideal ledge for your back leg, allowing you to shift your weight toward your working quadricep for an unmatched lower body burn. Looking to master a push-up or two? It brings a tear to my eye when clients graduate from a push-up on the knees to an off-the-knees push-up with hands planted and elevated slightly on the stepper. This full-plank position not only helps adequately recruit your core and glutes to generate more power but facilitates the transition toward a standard plank push-up as you develop strength and confidence in the movement. Durability concerns With a weight limit of 400 pounds, I can feel confident the stepper will support both my weight and any additional dumbbells I'm using in movements like step-ups, box jumps and offset squats. Yet, while the stepper is quite reliable overall once assembled and in place on the ground, be careful of its legs falling off when toting it around your home gym or moving it from one space to another. On several occasions, the legs have snapped off and fallen onto my toes. Profanities ensued. I would have appreciated some type of latch mechanism to securely fasten each riser. Not enough depth I have no issues with the overall 31-inch width of the platform. It provides just enough space for you to move laterally in a way that boosts your heart rate or engages your gluteus medius when stepping out to the side. At only 11 inches deep, however, many users may struggle to perform an elevated plank or push-up with correct form with wrists positioned just below the shoulder. What's more is that folks with larger feet might find this platform too narrow to feel stable when stepping up. Limited riser height In a perfect world, this stepper would come with several additional risers to step up your, well, step-ups. Additional risers would also facilitate more challenging box jumps and a more demanding aerobic routine. Progressive overload — increasing your load incrementally — is the most effective way of building strength, so working at this moderate level for weeks or even years might create a plateau in your results (unless you add an external load like dumbbells or speed). Any time I whip out this thing, my brain is programmed to release a slew of dopamine because I know the workout is going to be enjoyable, rewarding and fly by quickly. And in a world where we all struggle to make time for more movement as responsibilities escalate, your workout should feel like a respite from it all. I can't think of a better fitness tool that might feel silly at first (especially if you pair it with a leotard and leg warmers) but delivers results that are seriously impressive. How do you use an aerobic stepper? How do you use an aerobic stepper? Before using the adjustable stepper, start by performing a five-minute dynamic warmup to activate your proprioceptors (that mind-body connection), to prime your main muscle groups for large movement patterns and help prevent injury. Start by stepping onto the stepper with each foot and lowering back down again in a rhythmic fashion to boost your heart rate. Alternate your starting leg with each step to prevent muscular imbalance. If you've chosen a cardio workout, start with a beginner-friendly option with minimal upper body cues so you can focus on stepping safely. What workout classes are the best to pair an aerobic stepper? What workout classes are the best to pair an aerobic stepper? The best workout classes to pair with this workout stepper include dance cardio or aerobic sessions available on YouTube across numerous popular fitness accounts like Bowflex Barbie, CDornerFitness, Get Fit With DG and Brian Syuki. Trainer-led cardio sessions ensure you're using the stepper correctly and that you're staying on beat. CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when applicable to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. Contributing editor and writer Marissa Miller has 15 years of experience testing and reporting on all things health and wellness, while also serving as a certified personal trainer from the American Council on Exercise with a specialization in orthopedic exercise. For this article, she spent the last three years regularly programming workouts using the HomGarden Aerobic Stepper — and incorporating it into a variety of athletic scenarios — to determine if it's worth the $14 purchase.
