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Shocking details have emerged about a horrific gym accident that left a man fighting for his life after being crushed by equipment – as fitness experts speak out about the dangers of lifting alone.
The man, aged between 25 and 35, was training at Snap Fitness in Spring Hill, Brisbane city center at 5.47am on Thursday when he became trapped under a weight.
Bystanders in the gym, which was unattended by staff, rushed to his aid before paramedics arrived 40 minutes later and transported him to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
Now a gym member has revealed that the accident happened while the victim was exercising his upper body.
His injury happened while [he was] doing a seated overhead press in a Smith machine,” the man wrote online.
Emergency services were called to the Snap Fitness gym (above) in Turbot Street, Spring Hill, in central Brisbane before 6am following reports that a man had been caught under weights
Pictured: A man doing an overhead press in a Smith machine (stock)
‘[It] initially did not appear life-threatening, although severe enough to call an ambulance.
“But it took about 10 to 15 minutes for it to get really serious, that is, ‘he-is-now-unconscious-start-CPR-now’ serious.”
The 24-hour gym is only staffed between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Friday, and reopened at 10 a.m. Thursday after the incident.
The tragedy has raised concerns about a repeated accident elsewhere, with gym members receiving little guidance from staff on how to properly use the weights.
While Smith machines, which have a barbell attached to a safety rail system, are designed to help fitness enthusiasts lift heavy weights without a spotter, experts say gym-goers may need to learn how to activate the protective features.
Paul Attard, owner of the SPC Performance Lab, said it was normal to lift athletes incorrectly because they were not trained enough.
“Especially in those commercial gyms, there’s not really much help,” he told Daily Mail Australia.
‘You sign up, become a member and then you’re generally free to roam the gym. Some places might show you, but most probably have limited staff.”
Mr Attard said athletes were generally left to their own devices to figure out how to use machines, with some constructions having rudimentary diagrams tacked to the side.
“They’re pretty simple,” he said. “They show you what the machine does, but they don’t tell you how to do the exercises properly.”
It is understood emergency services freed the man under a set of weights around 6:20 a.m. before rushing him to hospital in critical condition (pictured, front of Spring Hill Snap Fitness)
He said the lack of guidance from staff led not only to improper use of the machine, but also to dangerous exercises.
“Men in particular are very focused on wanting to lift heavy,” he said.
“They think, ‘The heavier I’m putting on, the more jacked I can get'”. Sooner or later they realize that this is not so.’
Mr Attard warned that athletes didn’t even need to add exorbitant amounts of extra weight to their routine to increase the risk of injury.
“Maybe they’re trying to lift more too quickly and put on an extra five pounds every time they return to the gym,” he said.
Mr Attard said athletes should use common sense when training and ensure precautions were taken when using equipment such as the Smith machine.
“If you go alone and no one is there, lift submaximal weights,” he said.
Don’t force yourself to fail. Make sure you have some reps left in the tank.”
SPC Performance Lab owner Paul Attard (pictured) said many gym-goers are not adequately trained in using machines
He recommended that weightlifters use the Smith machine to attach face catchers, a safety rack that catches the bar if it falls.
“Your face and neck are the most vulnerable places on your body,” he said.
Lachlan Parker, the director of Queensland’s ambulance service, said on Thursday the man’s injuries were “very serious.”
Mr Parker thanked other gym goers on the scene who, with the help of triple-zero operators, began resuscitating the man and gave him first aid while they waited for paramedics.
“It appears he was struck by a weight at the gym, causing significant head and chest injuries,” he said.
“The paramedics resuscitated and treated all immediate threats to life, including sedating the patient.”
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Snap Fitness Spring Hill for comment.