Ruth Bader Ginsburg's Personal Trainer Bids Farewell With Push-Ups At Her Casket

When Ruth Bader Ginsburg's longtime personal trainer visited her casket as it lay in state in the U.S. Capitol, he knew exactly how to pay tribute to the late justice in a way that would perfectly honor their time spent together.

As CNN reported, Bryant Johnson performed three push-ups in front of Ginsburg's casket in an unorthodox tribute that spoke volumes about the late justice's love for strength training.

Johnson and Ginsburg first began working out together over 20 years ago after she underwent surgery for colorectal cancer.

While certainly a legendary trailblazing Supreme Court justice and liberal icon, Ginsburg's passion for training also made her an unlikely fitness role model.

Over the last decade, the late justice faced a multitude of health problems, including several cancer battles, but she credited Johnson’s training regime for helping her bounce back and return to work. In 2017, she said, "a very important part of my life is my personal trainer."

With Ginsburg's approval, Johnson released a book in 2017 titled, "The RBG Workout: How She Stays Strong... and You can too."

In a 2019 interview with CNN the trainer and Army reservist called Ginsburg a "machine."

"Here's what she does: She shows up," he said, adding that the late justice didn't necessarily enjoy doing planks but "appreciated" how they kept her body fit.

Following the ceremony for Ginsburg on Friday, Johnson went to pay his final respects to his fitness pupil and close friend.

First, he paused at the late justice's casket as it lay in the National Statuary Hall. Then, he dropped down to the floor and performed three consecutive push-ups with impeccable form.

Afterwards, he stood up and appeared to bow slightly to the casket before departing.

Johnson's heartfelt tribute has been met with mixed responses online.

One Twitter user wrote, "I have never cried over push ups before...but that streak is broken."

Another added, "Why am I crying at a man doing push ups?"

Some users branded the display "weird" while others seemed genuinely perplexed by Johnson's choice of tribute.

However, as this Twitter user explained,

"This isn't weird at all... He's showing his feelings/grief/respect by doing their usual routine one last time [...] Everyone has their own ways to show love and respect for those they have lost."

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