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Richard Simmons, the colorful fitness guru who turned aerobic dancing and positive energy into decades of fame, died Saturday, law enforcement sources told The Times.

Activities that qualify as vigorous intensity include running, swimming laps, aerobic dancing and bicycling at 10 mph or faster.

Vivacious Jacki Sorensen, 38, the guru of the trend, who now oversees the 42-state chain of Aerobic Dancing Inc. studios, began the movement in 1971 from a church basement in South Orange, N.J.

Beasley Reece, New York Giants defensive back, enrolled in an aerobic dancing class.

They can stretch their muscles on Nautilus body-building equipment, take lessons in aerobic dancing and Kung Fu and then relax in a Jacuzzi or a tanning parlor.