George Floyd: Gym appears to mock police killing with ‘I can’t breathe’ workout routine

Co-founders of Anytime Fitness apologise over franchisee’s actions 

Gino Spocchia
Thursday 11 June 2020 10:31 BST
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Anytime Fitness apologised over offensive workout routine
Anytime Fitness apologised over offensive workout routine

The American gym brand Anytime Fitness was forced to apologise after an advert was posted online showing an “I Can’t Breathe” workout routine available at a Wisconsin location.

The 35-minute routine was advertised at the Anytime Fitness gym in Wauwatosa this week, and soon attracted widespread condemnation.

“The intent was to create a workout to depict George Floyd’s final moments ... and they thought this was a fitting tribute,” wrote one critic on Twitter.

The gym used the same three words — “I can’t breathe” — as those George Floyd had uttered when a Minneapolis cop pinned him down by the neck for over eight minutes on 25 May.

Alongside the insensitive title, “I Can’t Breathe ... And don’t you dare lay down,” the workout routine was illustrated with a kneeling silhouette, in an apparent reference to anti-racism protesters who have ‘taken the knee’.

Anytime Fitness co-founders Chuck Runyon and Dave Mortensen said on Wednesday that they “were shocked and devastated” to see the advert.

“No matter the intent, we absolutely do not condone the words, illustrations or actions this represents,” they said in the statement. “To our employees, owners and members, we are truly and profoundly sorry that this incident occurred.”

Adding that Anytime Fitness was committed to “antiracism work” and “training”, the co-founders admitted: ”This incident makes it clear that we have work to do in this space”.

“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 added.

The same apology was posted on the Wauwatosa location’s Facebook page on Wednesday, in which it said sorry for the “insensitive move”.

“We obviously have work to do within our own location, and we will work hard to earn back your trust and respect,” said the gym. “We stand with our black community, and again, we are so very sorry for this insensitive move.”

The gym brand told CBS News in an email that “the franchise owner of the Wauwatosa location has taken full responsibility for the actions of his location”.

“The trainer who created and promoted the ‘I Can’t Breathe’ workout has been placed on leave and his employment status is under review,” the firm told the news outlet. “Additionally, the owner and his entire staff have volunteered to be the first ones to participate in the anti-racism training that we announced last week and are providing for all franchise owners across our portfolio of brands.”

Three Wisconsin congresswomen, Lena Taylor, Robyn Vining, and LaKeshia Myers, issued a statement on Wednesday which also condemned the workout advert.

They wrote: “The symbolism of the breath stolen from George Floyd as he begged for his life while pinned to the ground, is not something we take lightly and most definitely not something that should have been used to promote an exercise programme.”

The legislators added that Anytime Fitness’ apology “rang hollow” after the brand had said earlier that it was standing in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.

It comes as CrossFit’s co-founder stepped down on Tuesday after incentive comments were made over George Floyd’s death.

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