Man Dies After Losing Grip on Barbell, Which Strikes His Chest

TheCruxofBag · #1 ● 12-03-2025, 06:48 PM

Olinda, Pernambuco, Brazil

A 55-year-old man died after being struck by a barbell during an exercise at a gym in Olinda. Ronald J.S.M. was hit in the chest by the equipment. He was assisted and taken by staff from the establishment to the emergency care unit, but did not survive.

In the footage, Ronald can be seen performing a flat bench press with a free barbell. According to a specialist, an incorrect grip may have caused the accident. The equipment slips from his hands and falls onto his chest. After the impact, he stands up but collapses to the floor seconds later.

According to a relative, Ronald did not have professional supervision at the time he was exercising:

This is a workout that requires a trainer at that machine. In the video, you can see he’s fine, he even completes one set, warms up his arms to start again, and when he sits down, he can’t manage it and [the bar] slips. But if he had [supervision]… what we want is for gyms to look at the issue of prevention regarding this equipment. And that personal trainers cannot allow a student to train alone, even if they know how to perform the movement.

The relative also stated the gym lacked a first-aid structure.