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Jun 14

Trainer who posted ‘I can’t breathe’ workout at Anytime Fitness in Wauwatosa has been put on leave – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Fitness Comments Off on Trainer who posted ‘I can’t breathe’ workout at Anytime Fitness in Wauwatosa has been put on leave – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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Anytime Fitness, at 8901 W. North Ave. in Wauwatosa, is receiving backlash after a workout called "I can't breathe" was seen at the location.(Photo: Evan Casey/Now News Group)

A trainer at Anytime Fitness in Wauwatosa has been placed on leaveafter they drew andposted an"I can't breathe" workout that has garnered national backlash.

The workout, which was posted on a dry-erase board at the gym, says "I can't breathe," and then "... don't you dare lay down."

The workout also includeda drawing of a person, drawn with black marker, in a kneeling position. The workout alternates betweenburpees, or squat thrusts, and rows.

Several photos of the workout guide, which has since been removed at the gym, were shared on social media, causing corporate management to release a statement about the incident.

"As leaders of Self Esteem Brands and the Anytime Fitness Brand, we were shocked and devastated to see that one of our franchise locations chose to offer an 'I Can't Breathe'workout," the statement said.

"I can't breathe" has been chanted at hundreds of protests and rallies across the nation in recentdays, echoing the final words of George Floyd, who waskilled in custody when a white police officer knelt on his neck in Minneapolis.

Just days before the workout was posted, hundreds marched down North Avenue in Wauwatosa chanting these exact words.

A phone call to the manager of the Anytime Fitnesswas not returned before this story was published.

A news release from Self Esteem Brands said that the owner and staff of the gym have all volunteered for anti-racism training that the company is now providing.

State Sen. Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee), joined by State Rep. Robyn Vining (D-Wauwatosa) and LaKeshia Myers (D-Milwaukee), said the following in astatement about the workout:

As elected officials representing Wauwatosa, WI, we denounce Anytime Fitness 'I Cant Breathe'workout regimen.

"In the wake of Mr. Floyds death, many residents including those living in Wauwatosa have taken to the streets to protest disparate treatment of people of color. Wauwatosas residents have collectively amplified their voices to empathize and begin to reevaluate practices that perpetuate systemic racism in our community. Nothing about the past 14 days should have given anyone, let alone a business owner, the inkling that this workout was appropriately named."

Their full statement is here.

Evan Casey can be reached at 414-403-4391 or evan.casey@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter @ecaseymedia.

Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal.

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Read more from the original source:
Trainer who posted 'I can't breathe' workout at Anytime Fitness in Wauwatosa has been put on leave - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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