Some members of the workout class said it was unfair that the popular Zumba instructor was fired from the gym.
DENVER — A fitness instructor in Denver has been fired after a fight broke out during his class, according to his workout class attendees.
It was all caught on tape.
Now, several members of the instructor’s class said it wasn’t fair that he was let go at the gym.
“Certainly I thought VASA would have protected him as an employee, as an elderly person, as someone who didn’t cause this interaction, but they didn’t. They fired him.”
The Aqua Zumba class at VASA Fitness on South Sheridan Boulevard is something Steiner always takes time for. Marlon Centeno is a popular instructor and darling.
“It’s definitely been a highlight of my week and a sense of community,” she said. .”
On July 28th, a fight broke out during Centeno’s class.
“I was moving the camera,” said Christa Cariga, who was filming a workout session led by Centeno that day. “These two tried to walk in front of him. There was no room for them to walk.”
> Watch Kariga’s video of the quarrel:
She said two teenagers tried to walk past Centeno when he was directing, and one of the teenagers fell into the water.
“Walking past the exit in the middle of the class to the instructor is certainly questionable, but what’s the point?” Steiner said. “He has two other exits to the pool.”
pushed or hit.
“When he was in the water Marlon said ‘I’m sorry’ and held out an open hand and the man came out of the water. He was completely runaway, belligerent and angry,” Carriga said.
Steiner said everything happened quickly.
“I think at that point he had to defend himself,” she said. “What happened was not right and how it was handled was not right.”
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In the video, three women in the class, including Cariga, put up a barrier between the two.
“He was threatening Marlon. I knew what was going on. I took off from the other side of the pool to be with Marlon,” she said. From Marlon and us. ”
Finally, the fighting stopped.
Both parties have filed police complaints against each other, Steiner said.
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“I believe him [Centeno’s] “He had a dislocated shoulder and a torn rotator cuff,” she said.
VASA Fitness spokesperson Jaime Cottini said of the situation:
“We do not tolerate any form of aggression or violence within our club and strive to create a safe and friendly environment for our members and team members. VASA management has taken appropriate steps to address this situation.”
We await further information from the Denver Police Department.
Some members of Centeno’s class have created an online fundraiser for him.
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