Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2020
Anytime Fitness apologizes for workout promotion
Company response
An Anytime Fitness franchise in Wauwatosa promoted a workout titled "I Can't Breathe," which prompted backlash. Anytime Fitness said its corporate team had been unaware of the workout and apologized. The franchise co-owner and general manager also issued an apology.
After a Wauwatosa franchise's “I Can't Breathe” workout prompted backlash, Anytime Fitness said its corporate team had been unaware of the workout and apologized. The franchise co-owner and general manager also issued an apology.
Company response
Apology — Anytime Fitness
The corporate honchos with Anytime Fitness say they were unaware of the franchise's workout and have apologized.
Apology — Jen Dunnington
The co-owner and general manager, Jen Dunnington, also issued an additional apology on Facebook for "how deeply offensive our words, illustrations and actions have been."
Source excerpt
Needless to say, the move has spawned plenty of backlash, with one Twitter user writing, "Really concerned that Anytime Fitness finds mocking the death of George Floyd appropriate. Racism is alive in Wauwatosa."
The corporate honchos with Anytime Fitness say they were unaware of the franchise's workout and have apologized.
This week, Anytime Fitness in Wauwatosa began a new workout called "I Can't Breathe."
2020
Anytime Fitness apologizes for Wauwatosa workout
Company response
Anytime Fitness cofounders and its brand president posted an apology after a Wauwatosa gym displayed an “I Can't Breathe” workout that sparked a social-media backlash.
Company response
Apology — Anytime Fitness
Anytime Fitness cofounders and brand president posted an apology on social media Wednesday
Apology — Anytime Fitness
Anytime Fitness spokespeople have issued an apology after their franchise in Wauwatosa offered an "I can't breathe" workout.
Remediation — Anytime Fitness
The company said the staff at its franchises will undergo anti-racism training.
Source excerpt
Global gym chain Anytime Fitness apologized Wednesday after one of its suburban Milwaukee locations offered a workout called “I can’t breathe.”
George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, said “I can’t breathe” as he was killed beneath the knee of white police officer Derek Chauvin last month, and the phrase has long been a rallying cry against racism.
Anytime Fitness cofounders and brand president posted an apology on social media Wednesday and condemned the actions as 'shocking' and 'devastating'
2020
Anytime Fitness responds to Wauwatosa workout promotion
Company response
Anytime Fitness co-founders said the Wauwatosa franchise location’s promotion of an “I Can’t Breathe” workout was offensive and inconsistent with brand values, apologized, and described actions taken by the location’s owner, including terminating the trainer who promoted it.
Company response
Apology — Anytime Fitness
we truly apologize that this happened.
Personnel action — Wauwatosa location owner
The trainer who promoted the “I Can’t Breathe” workout has been terminated by the owner of the Wauwatosa location.
Source excerpt
Really concerned that @AnytimeFitness finds mocking the death of George Floyd appropriate🤬 racism is alive in Wauwatosa #Milwaukee pic.twitter.com/9HZ7TyBqtw
Under the Anytime Fitness franchise model, owners make independent decisions about local promotional activities for their gyms. However, regardless of their original intent, the actions of the Wauwatosa location were offensive, insensitive and inconsistent with our brand values.
A statement from Anytime Fitness Co-Founders and Brand President regarding Wauwatosa, WI incident pic.twitter.com/qUmeaeQ5eT — Anytime Fitness (@AnytimeFitness) June 10, 2020