People.com Celebrity Richard Simmons Having 'Tough Time' with Knee Injury "It is keeping me from doing what I truly love to do," says the fitness instructor By Melody Chiu Melody Chiu Instagram Twitter Melody Chiu is a Senior Editor for PEOPLE. She has been with the brand since 2009, editing, writing and reporting across all entertainment verticals. She oversees PEOPLE's music and events coverage and has written cover stories on Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Melissa McCarthy, Blake Shelton and Sandra Oh. The Los Angeles native graduated from the University of Southern California and has appeared on Extra!, The Talk, Access Hollywood and Good Morning America. People Editorial Guidelines Published on November 13, 2014 08:10 PM Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage Richard Simmons will be back. Fans of the fitness guru were sent into a frenzy Thursday after reports surfaced that he’s been missing from the public eye for nearly all of 2014, but Simmons assured his supporters he’s just been sidelined by an injury. “I am so touched by the outpouring of love and concern I have received today,” he wrote on his Facebook page. “I have had a tough time dealing with this injury, as it is keeping me from doing what I truly love to do and that is to teach classes around the world. Make sure you keep Sweatin!” His long-time manager Michael Catalano tells PEOPLE that Simmons, 66, has been dealing with a “knee injury for the past several months,” which is why he hasn’t surfaced publicly. According to TMZ, Richard has not shown up to teach classes at his famous Beverly Hills studio, Slimmons, recently, and he was last photographed in January at a charity event. • With reporting by K.C. BAKER Want more stories like this? Sign up for our newsletter and other special offers: sign me up Thank you for signing up!