Sigh…An Anytime Fitness gym at a Wisconsin location is receiving a lot of backlash for posting an ‘I can’t breathe’ workout challenge for its members.
The image, which lays out the workout including burpees and rows, shows a drawing of a man colored in with black sharpie kneeling—with the words ‘I can’t breathe’ at the top of the white board, and “Don’t you dare lay down” at the bottom.
Jen Dunnington, co-owner of the said Wauwatosa, WI location, says that her employee created the workout to “honor” George Floyd, according to TMZ.
Apparently the workout was supposed to be “a workout so hard that we felt what he felt”. Dunnington “deeply apologize(s)” for this adding, “I was not aware of the signage that it was posted in that way…I didn’t read it in that way, but I do definitely apologize that those words were on there.”
In addition, Dunnington adds that the words ‘I can’t breathe’ were supposed to be for motivation—seemingly comparing it to the protestors chanting those words as they march.
When it comes to the “lay down” line, Dunnington added that she “apologize(s) that it said that, the line on there should not have been on there,” TMZ reports.
Spokespeople for Anytime Fitness aren’t here for this and they’re coming for their Wauwatosa, WI location for the insensitive ‘I can’t breathe’ workout.
“No matter the intent, we absolutely do not condone the words, illustrations or actions this represents,” Anytime Fitness said in a statement Wednesday. “To our employees, owners and members, we are truly and profoundly sorry that this incident occurred.”
“One of our publicly-stated commitments to antiracism work is to bolster education efforts for our franchise owners to lead with empathy, love and respect. This incident makes it clear that we have work to do in this space; immediately, we are sharing this incident with our franchise owners worldwide as an example of what not to do, why it is offensive, and what locations should be doing instead.”
They continued, “We remain committed to working to inform and educate employees and owners worldwide to stand for our black communities including our members and employees.”
Prior to this incident, Anytime Fitness made this post on Instagram in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
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