A PureGym in Luton and Dunstable was condemned yesterday for promoting a workout named ’12 Years Of Slave’ as part of their work out of the month. Claiming to be celebrating Black History Month, the gym posted an infographic on Facebook detailing the workout with a highly offensive caption. Now, both PureGym and the personal trainer responsible for promoting the workout have apologised.
‘Entitled '12YearsOfSlave' (after the epic movie),’ it read, spelling the name of the award-winning ’12 Years a Slave’ wrong continuously. ‘This is our workout of the month designed by @mattsimpt to celebrate Black history month. Slavery was hard and so is this. The twist to this is 1 rep of your 1st exercise, 2 of the second but before you move on to the 3rd exercise which is also 3 reps you must start at the beginning to move on 😉 AND thats how the entire workout goes.’

The post was screenshotted and shared on various other social media sites as people condemn the completely inappropriate promotion. Particularly, commentators cannot quite believe the use of ‘Slavery was hard and so is this’ likening a cross-fit workout to hundreds of years of human enslavement.
‘Just as I was about to award the stupidest person on the planet trophy to a certain American president, it seems we have a last minute entry,’ one social media user commented.
The post was taken down on Instagram and PureGym Luton & Dunstable’s Facebook page after it began to go viral. The personal trainer who designed and published the post, Matt Simpson originally reposted it to his own Instagram saying he was ordered to take it off his work’s Instagram account, ‘Apparently the wording was an issue but wasn’t asked to edit it.’
‘You’re comparing a workout to the transatlantic slave trade???? I knew 2020 was mad but it just got madder!!!’ one of his followers commented after he posted the original workout. ‘As a PT within PureGym, I am shocked to see this,’ another added. ‘Considering you’re an AGM and think this is ok. Distasteful and disgusting.’
Now, he has deleted it on his own Instagram too and posted the following apology:
PureGym has also apologised in the following statement:
'PureGym apologises unreservedly for a post made today by our gym in Luton. This post is wholly unacceptable, was not approved or endorsed by the company and was removed as soon as it was brought to our attention. Each of our 271 gyms has its own social media channels which are run locally. We take this matter extremely seriously and are urgently investigating how and why this post was made.'
Click through for the best exercise equipment for women who weightlift...
The best gifts for women who weightlift - Grazia

TALA Athleisure, £25-40
If you're looking for the perfect gift you can also feel good about, look no further. TALA isn't just the coolest new gym-wear (that you've probably seen all over Instagram), it's also completely sustainable. The products are made from factory off-cuts, packaged in recycled and recyclable material, plus you can even plant the tags and watch them grow into living, breathing organisms. Yes, really.The designs are loved by fitness influencers, not just for their flattering fit but also how squat and sweat proof they are. I tried the Zinnia legging and Zahara bra and can confirm I've never felt more confident in the gym.Plus, when you buy this brand you're also supporting powerhouse entrepreneur Grace Beverley, who at 22 years old already owns three successful businesses. Need we say more?

Kate Taylor Glute Builder Body Toner, £34
You only need scroll through Kate Taylor 's instagram (@taylorkayteee) to understand why her workout guide is a smash success. The Queen of glute gains not only inspires you with her own monumental muscle-building but also the unbelievable transformations she posts of others that use her guide. Of all the guides I've ever reviewed, this has to take the cake (pun intended). It includes five workouts a week, with two rest days incorporated, and three of those focused on legs and glutes. I had been weightlifting for three years when I tried this guide and honestly, my first workout I was kicking myself for not picking it up sooner. In fact, I wish i'd put it on my Christmas list years ago.

Theragun G3PRO, £549
The Theragun G3PRO is a professional deep-muscle massage tool. Essentially, it's a high powered foam roller that can reach deeper into the muscle. In 30 seconds, it can activate muscles for a better mind-muscle connection during workouts, and in two minutes, relieve soreness and lactic acid build-up in the same way a foam roller does. The biggest difference, this is no where near as painful as a foam roller. Whoever you buy this for will thank you endlessly, unless your the one using it on them of course. With that in mind, I would recommend buying this for someone who does have someone to use it on them. Having tried it myself, it can be hard to reach the hamstrings and calves or apply enough pressure to feel it deep in the muscle (bare in mind, I am just a winer when it comes to pain) Having tried both foam rollers and the Theragun G3PRO, I would say this is best suited to advanced weightlifters and professional athletes. So, if you have a fitness-obsessed tech-lover in the family who wants to upgrade their regime, this would be perfect.

MyProtein Gain Essentials Bundle, £55
If there's one thing every weightlifter both loves and loathes buying, it's supplements. Often, they're a great boost in achieving certain macronutrient requirements (although not necessary), but they can also be expensive on top of a food shop. Gifting protein powder may feel somewhat lackluster, but a gains bundle? That's a weightlifters dream. This MyProtein bundle includes all the most highly coveted supplements in one: protein powder, creatine, BCAAs, Omega 3 tablets, a shaker and instant oats. Essentially, you're giving the gift of quick fire gains with this bundle.
Nike Metcon 5 Training Shoe, £114.95
Finding the best shoes to lift in can be a minefield, regardless of how advanced you are. The Nike Metcon 5 trainer is Nike's best weightlifting shoe yet. Specifically designed for heavy lifting and durability, this shoe has a wide heel to improve stability, better grips for rope-climbing and a sofer more flexible forefoot to add confort and protection doing high-impact movements. In fact, it even includes a hyperlift insert that gives lifters more stability with heavy lifts (a higher offset helps maintain heel-to-ground contact and balance). This is the dream trainer for any weightlifter.

Shreddy App Subscription, £79.99 annually
The most exciting fitness app launch this year, Shreddy combines every individual health app you could want into one. It's an exercise guide, a nutrition plan and a fitness community all at the same time. Not only are the meal-plans all costed - and altered to your budget - they're entirely vegan, literally doing all of the hard work for you. I've been trying out the exercise regimes for two weeks now and continue to be surprised by just how much it's improved my routine. You can easily track your strength progress, time your rest properly and keep mixing up your regime to prevent a boredom-fueled plateau. While weightlifting lovers definitely don't need a fitness app to progress, this does make it a ton easier and will be a welcome gift in anyones Christmas basket.

Powerbeats Pro Totally Wireless Earphones, £219.95
There are certain earphones that are good for different types of workout, but the Powerbeats Pro Totally Wireless Earphones are considered the best overall workout headphones by a number of experts. The sound quality is excellent with ideal noise cancellation, and the controls easy to use - but the best part about these earphones is that they can't be shaken out of your ears, and when you do take them out? They have smart play and pause - meaning you literally never miss a beat. Nor will they falter in water (they're waterproof) and they have nine-hours battery life. But if you do run out, the case holds two extra charges.

Lululemon In Movement Leggings, £88
A luxury gift for any weightlifter, lululemon leggings are a head above the rest when it comes to quality, comfort and everything-proofness (squat-proof, sweat-proof, life-proof, essentially.) The In Movement Everlux Tights were specifically designed for heavy sessions, with fabric that both stretches easily and dries quickly. Whether your doing an intense HIIT session or bashing out a squat PB, these leggings are what you need. And with a price-tag like that, they make the perfect gift.

Nike Training Gloves, £15.95
Training gloves are an often overlooked essential for women who weight lift. Which means one thing: the gift receiver will most likely not have them and also be eternally grateful. You'll be giving the gift of easier lifting aka heavier weights PLUS no more callusy hands. Honestly, these gloves a lifesaver Christmas or not...

Gymshark set, £30+
If there's one brand that's bound to bring a smile to the face of any gym-lover, it's Gymshark. The notorious influencer favourite is like a uniform for any gym bunny, male or female. There's a reason for that: the stuff is excellent. Comfy, squat-proof and the most flattering of all gymwear on the market, the popularity is understandable as soon as you slip on a pair of their leggings. The pictured set is part of their Geo Seamless collection, but any Gymshark legging is bound to be a welcome gift under the tree.

BarebellsProtein Bar Bundle, £23.95
Barebells are God Tier when it comes to protein bars. Not only do they actually taste like a real chocolate bar, they have more protein (36g) than carbohydrates (30g) or fats (12g). Basically, you can meet your macro-nutrient goal with this bar without compromising on taste, the dream. Of course, all that goodness comes at a price and makes the 12 bar bundle the perfect Christmas treat.

Grenade Carb Killa Advent Calendar, £44.99
When I tell you there's an advent calendar for every type of person, this is what I mean. The Grenade Carb Killa advent calendar is music to any weightlifters ears. With this 24-bar calendar your gym bunny friend can indulge in all the fun Christmas has to offer without sacrificing any macro goals. While eating chocolate shouldn't be considered a guilty pleasure, with these bars containing minimum 20g of protein, you can actually meet your goals and lick your lips while doing it.

B_ND Bundle, £35
I like to call this the glute holy trinity - basically, it's a necessity for any leg day lover. A barbell pad is essential for hip thrusts, a resistance band ideal for easy glute activation and an ankle strap necessary for all things cable-related, be it kick backs, standing abductions or lateral lunges. Many gyms don't have barbell pads or ankle straps, but one thing they're bound not to have is a resistance band of this quality. I bought the B_ND band back when they were branded GraceFit (yes, this is another of Grace Beverley's babies, can I help that the woman shits gold?!) and over a year later it's still an essential in my gym bag. This truly is the gift that keeps on giving.
Nike Pro Shorts, £34.95
It might be winter right now, but the gym sees no seasons. The Nike Pro short is ideal for comfort, airflow and support, perfect to be worn underneath gym wear or alone.
Read More:
Jigsaws, Free Weights And Vibrators: All The Things People Bought In Lockdown
'I Went Back To The Gym Last Weekend And It Was The Best I've Felt In Months'