Richard Simmons was known for turning fitness into something considerably more approachable, energetic and genuinely personal than the traditional gym environment ever really managed. In this playful, endlessly repeated line, he reduced his entire philosophy to three simple ideas, liking yourself, eating well, and staying genuinely physically active. "Number one, like yourself," he said. "Number two, you have to eat healthy. And number three, you've got to squeeze your buns. That's my formula." The humorous reference to squeezing your buns reflects the genuinely light-hearted style that became closely associated with Simmons throughout his long career, one that made him instantly recognisable across decades of television appearances, fitness videos and public speaking engagements. Beneath the joke, though, sits a considerably more serious message. His actual approach to fitness was centred on making people feel better about themselves, rather than turning exercise into something closer to punishment. His philosophy ultimately made fitness feel less intimidating, reminding people that taking care of their bodies could also be enjoyable, encouraging and deeply personal.
Get breaking news anytime, anywhere. Download the TOI app now!
