Wauwatosa Anytime Fitness Posted 'I Can't Breathe' Workout

WAUWATOSA, WI — The corporate owners of the Anytime Fitness chain say they're "profoundly sorry" after a workout trainer in Wauwatosa posted an "I Can't Breathe" workout earlier this week.

The workout, posted on a white board in the Wauwatosa gym, depicted a kneeling silhouette of a person next to a workout titled "I Can't Breathe..." The workout listed a regimen of rowing and squat thrusts designed to tire a participant. "...and don't you dare lay down," was written at the bottom of the workout board, which can be seen here.

A photo of the workout board was reportedly posted on social media using the gym's Facebook account. That, and a video apology that followed, were taken down by Wednesday morning.

"No matter the intent, we absolutely do not condone the words, illustrations or actions this represents. To our employees, owners and members, we are truly and profoundly sorry that this incident occurred," Chuck Runyon and Dave Mortensen, co-founders of Self Esteem Brands, and
Stacy Anderson, brand president of Anytime Fitness, said Wednesday morning. "One of our publicly-stated commitments to antiracism work is to bolster training 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."

In a TMZ report, Jen Dunnington, co-owner of Anytime Fitness in Wauwatosa said one of her trainers attempted to honor George Floyd by creating a workout, while also saying she didn't interpret the workout's message as one of offense.

"I deeply apologize," Dunnington said in reference to the workout board. "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."

Wauwatosa has seen a number of George Floyd-related protests over the last week, including several hundred marchers who chanted "I Can't Breathe," another march that protested the three police shooting deaths of black men in Wauwatosa and a march Tuesday night mourning the loss of Floyd that ended up before the Wauwatosa police department.

State Senator Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) joined by State Representatives Robyn Vining (D-Wauwatosa) and LaKeshia Myers (D-Milwaukee), issued the following statement regarding the “I Can’t Breathe” workout regimen posted by Anytime Fitness’ Wauwatosa location:

“As elected officials representing Wauwatosa, WI, we denounce Anytime Fitness’ “I Can’t Breathe” workout regimen. For the last fourteen days our nation has protested the death of Mr. George Floyd, whose inability to breathe led to his death. Mr. Floyd’s murder has served as a catalyst for change throughout our state, country, and the world. 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 program.

Patch has sought comment from Dunnington, who has not returned our message.