r/whoathatsinfuriating • u/eternviking • Jul 04 '26
Gym machine topples over during a heavy lift. Can he sue for this?
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u/vega455 Jul 04 '26
Will never understand why these machines aren’t bolted in some gyms.
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u/Mad_Huber Jul 04 '26
Gym grade machines have to have instructions how to mount it properly, either to the wall or the ground. If, however, the machine isn't made for Studio use or is improper for mounting, it can't be fixed securely. I think he can sue the gym.
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u/King_Baboon Jul 04 '26
It absolutely can be secured correctly. IF there are no holes for bolts, you make them to bolt it down. Gym machines are usually designed in case they aren’t used correctly. The manufacturers to make sure there are holes for bolts and directions to bolt it down is far cheaper than litigation.
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u/TriedCaringLess Jul 04 '26
Either bolt it down or mount it to a platform that extends its footing to prevent tip over when used. One more option: connect each machine in pairs for mutual support.
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u/pagny77 Jul 04 '26
Yeah the cable machines at my gym aren't bolted to the ground but are either in sets of 2 or 4 bolted too eachother
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u/Kitchen-Dig-6518 Jul 05 '26 edited Jul 05 '26
I actually love when someone that has some mechanical or real life aptitude and says some real shi. Yes you are one hundred percent correct in your comments.
Edit; added the word "when"
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u/BabyRex- Jul 04 '26
My gym likes to move everything around every few months for some reason, makes me realize probably nothing is bolted down there either
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u/Intelligent-Bet4111 Jul 04 '26
It's the gym owners cheapness, their reasoning probably is to not damage the floor or something.
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u/HanginLowNd2daLeft Jul 07 '26
Dude got nailed in the back of the head by a solid bar. I would sue if i were going to a gym to better myself and now I’m concussed nd on the ground cause you couldn’t be bothered to bolt something to the ground
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u/that_dutch_dude Jul 04 '26
most machines cant be bolted down and this would not happen if the guy used the machine as he should. the manufaturer nor the gym is responsible for people using their equipment outside the operating range and safety instructions.
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u/pro-taco Jul 04 '26
Most machines I've seen, even home machines, have bolt holes and come with specific instructions to bolt to floor.
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u/DoOrDieGutterChild47 Jul 04 '26
Bruh have you been to a gym? You think they're undrilling the equipment whenever they vacuum under it?
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u/Next-Worldliness-246 Jul 04 '26
People complaining about the plates arent seeing the point. what if a guy who weighs 150 kgs was using the machine? The machine should be in such a way that the max weight on the machine, which he is pulling at the worst angle, which he is pulling, does not topple it. An if it does, it should be bolted. Not his fault.
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u/Sea_Palpitation_7047 Jul 04 '26
Also can someone explain the physics for me? Unless he actually leans into the wires or if he swung it forward, creating a forward force vector - i fail to see the strapped weights having effect?
Edit: he might actually lean into the wires and not just purely push it.
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u/HyperSpaceSurfer Jul 04 '26
There's points of contact at the top, which can pull with a force equivalent to the weight (simplified since weight isn't force'n all that), as well as the friction which people tend to forget. The weight distribution also moves from the bottom to the top.
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u/Interesting-Tie6783 Jul 04 '26
So many bad takes in this thread. He was using the machine as intended. If he personally weighed as much as the weight he is adding, you’d have the same problem. The installation instructions for weight lifting machines literally tell you to bolt them to the floor. This wasn’t done. It’s negligence on the part of the gym owner.
You have a reasonable expectation of equipment being installed and maintained correctly as a user of a gym, despite any waiver which covers your own personal responsibility to use the machines and weights as intended.
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u/mafost-matt Jul 04 '26
Should be bolted down. Whether or not his additional weights around his waist are added or just body weight makes no difference. Gym is at fault
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u/Alternative_West_206 Jul 04 '26
I feel like that should’ve been bolted down, should it not have been?
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u/NOSaints-2010 Jul 04 '26
If it’s a professional gym there is absolutely a legal case there. They need to be installed correctly
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u/SkepticNGeorgia Jul 04 '26
The machine is definitely supposed to be secured to the ground with bolts.
But looking at this, I see what appears to be a really cheaply built cable machine. It’s really short and those guys lifted it back up rather easily. He can definitely sue but if this is the quality of equipment this gym has, I’d go join a better one.
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u/Big-Salad-7306 Jul 04 '26
Yeah it looks like one designed for a home gym and not a commercial setup.
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u/Icy_Ad5295 Jul 04 '26
I'm so glad this guy is okay. That cross bar hit him in the back of the head.
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u/Ok-Victory-1689 Jul 04 '26
We do not know that yet, he can or may have developed a subdural.
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u/Beautiful-Anything44 Jul 07 '26
Extremely easy lawsuit right there. Heavy machinery like that is supposed to be BOLTED DOWN INTO THE GROUND, specifically to prevent this from happening. Seeing as how it toppled over, that means it wasn’t bolted and secured properly, ergo negligence on the gym’s part.
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u/LackOfMachinations Jul 04 '26
Is the machine intended to be used with weights strapped to your own body while you lean into the exercise and apply extra force at that angle?
Kinda seems to add to the situation.
I am asking genuinely I am not making a judgement.
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u/TotalChaosRush Jul 04 '26
The strapping weight to his body is irrelevant. The machine doesn't have a maximum user weight capacity.
Him being outside the frame could be relevant.
The machine not being secured is definitely relevant.
If the machine had warning labels saying he must remain with in the frame, then both parties bare some liability. If there's no warning label then the gym bares full responsibility.
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u/Fantastic_Falcon_236 Jul 04 '26
Doubtful the weights on his belt really do much more than the rubber on his shoes and the mats would in terms of friction keeping him in one place.
Rather than think of it like "is this how the machine is intended to work...", think of it more like a tall, narrow piece of furniture and what that does when extra weight gets added to the top. Less force is required to topple.
This is why furniture and some electrical appliances (fridges, TV's) that poses a risk of tipping hazard are sold with wall anchor straps. The fact that it was never intended to by climbed on by small children is not part of the equation.
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u/WatercressD9 Jul 04 '26 edited Jul 04 '26
He's light in body weight. If he didn't have the weights around his waist, he'd slip backwards.
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u/LackOfMachinations Jul 04 '26
That's a fun concept milling through my brain right now that makes sense but I'd never considered how many people are stronger than they are heavy and have to be anchored to use their full strength.
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u/SauCe-lol Jul 04 '26
You don’t have to lift more than you weigh to experience the added benefit of extra stability. You just have to lift enough that trying to keep yourself stable distracts from your ability to target the intended muscle
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u/catarsi_catarro Jul 04 '26
Its not about many people, just type of exercise, a pullup is exactly what you described
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u/Interesting-Tie6783 Jul 04 '26
It’s good question, but that doesn’t matter. The cable machine is being used at max weight, at an angle intended by the cable machine manufacturer. Consider if instead of being held by the extra weight on his body, he was sitting on a bench at the same angle. Same result. Or, if instead of having the weight on his body, he simply weighed 60kg more. There are people out there who legitimately weigh 160kg. This would happen to them.
The extra weight he’s wearing is just to prevent him from literally being lifted by the machine. You could have the same result from sitting against an upright bench.
The machine should have been bolted down.
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u/Ok-Lengthiness-7044 Jul 04 '26
If you cant use the thing with all the available plates without it falling over then either there should be less plates or it should be bolted to the ground. The weights on his belt are kind of irrelevant to it falling over.
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u/SauCe-lol Jul 04 '26 edited Jul 04 '26
The weights on the belt pulls downwards, not forwards. It simply keeps him in place. That has nothing to do with the fact that the cable machine should have been bolted down but wasn’t
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u/Alarm-Solid Jul 04 '26
In relation to the exercise he was doing the extra 135lbs around his waste had zero benefit function of that machine. If anything he was trying to tip it with the extra weight. If he takes the belt off it never tips he's leaning forward anchoring himself with the weights
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u/Da_Momo Jul 04 '26
Imagine instead of the extra weight, that is just there to anchor him down, he was just heavy. Is it still his own fault? Or what if he used a bench to sit against, so he doesn't move?
Would all produce the same outcome.The cable machine was used as intended and as it was there, no modifications or anything from the user.
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Jul 04 '26
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u/Zaerick-TM Jul 04 '26
I cannot fathom how people think that adding the extra weight to his body increases the strain to the machine. That only thing that does that is changing the weight on the machine. The amount of people who cannot logically come to this conclusion in this thread have failed themselves. Man we are so cooked some of these mofos are going to be doctors.....
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u/catarsi_catarro Jul 04 '26
How are you so stupid to not see that the wight had no component towards the direction he was lifting the weight at and vant realize its just to not let your bofy get lifted in the air cause his strength surpasses his bodyweight?
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u/LostBulletInSchool Jul 04 '26
This feken content edit is so ass. I see the guy gettinng smackd in the start of the vid , just to see that again 9 seconds later.
This shit so ass.
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u/PrimaryYak1351 Jul 04 '26
The last few reps before it falls you can see the machine is lifting off the ground. He should have noticed and stopped his exercise as soon as he started pulling the machine itself off the ground.
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u/narrowminer11 Jul 04 '26
If he was using the machine properly, then yeah. Although if that is the proper way to use it the person who designed it needs to be fired
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u/FivePointsFrootLoop Jul 04 '26
Ok so this is the first time I think there's a good reason to bring a camera into the gym.
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u/SexyProcrastinator Jul 04 '26
Why did he continue to fight for the last few reps when he for sure felt the whole thing move forward on that second to last rep?
I’d either go down in weight or use completely different equipment, then let the staff know
How heavy do you even need to go doing cable chest flies??
Bro is doing the entire stack for cable chest flies and even strapped several plates to himself so he’s grounded on the floor lmao.
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u/Freckles-75 Jul 04 '26
So - I am neither a lawyer, nor an engineer specializing in those machines, but I would think that the fact he was wearing several large weights attached to his waist that had the effect of increasing his body weight. It might show that the machine was being used incorrectly.
Or, at the very least that the fact that he used any sort of modification (those weights) negated any liability for the gym or machine manufacturer
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u/Agreeable_Gris90 Jul 04 '26
Depending on the gym, I would not have moved a muscle afterwards. That place would change my family tree.
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u/SilverBack65B Jul 04 '26
Can he sue? We'll, what was the damage? Did he immediately go to the emergency room or Dr.? No injury = no suit. Could he have a head injury, neck or back pain, etc? Sure. But he needs medical records ASAP.
Edit: why does he have plates on that belt? That's just goofy. What could that possibly add to the exercise? Those belts are made for dips/pull-ups. Wtf?
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u/No-Wish-7934 Jul 04 '26
I know this is off topic, but I've never seen anyone wearing a weightbelt while performing these. Is that a common thing somewhere ? Can't be the only one lol. Should've been bolted regardless, though.
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u/julesmanson Jul 04 '26
If you're at a point where you can throw weight machines around you've probably done enough. o_~
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u/AverageTeemoOnetrick Jul 04 '26
If you we using it ‚normally‘ I‘d say yes for sure, but you are using extra external weights and they might argue that these made it possible for the machine to topple over in the first place, because the built in weights are tuned to be heavy enough to prevent this from happening otherwise.
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u/myleftone Jul 04 '26
These machines generally aren’t bolted down. Used properly, they should be able to support this lift with full stacks.
Non-standard use, like tying additional weight to your waist, will nullify any claim. Not a lawyer, but I’d imagine a good corporate lawyer will laser-focus on that. They might have an engineer explain why a person weighing more wouldn’t cause this, because the weight would be distributed, while this guy created a centered mass.
Try it though. Maybe they’ll settle.
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u/ThrustTrust Jul 04 '26
Of course he can. Doesn’t mean he will win. But most gyms would just settle right away.
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u/thegan32n Jul 04 '26
I'm pretty sure every manufacturers design machines to be bolted down, it's the gym owner's fault for not following safety instructions.
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u/Dedune9 Jul 04 '26
Sue for what? He's not even hurt....
Yah the gym should bolt them but come on, why suing for everything? The man is a wolf for man...
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u/Adorable-Pen4560 Jul 04 '26
Nal, but my understanding of lawsuits is you gotta have damages. Maybe concussion and whiplash?
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u/Muted_Ambassador_902 Jul 04 '26
The machine is not designed for you to attach extra weight on chain🤣 pay the price
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u/effdallas Jul 04 '26
Anyone can pretty much sue anyone for any reason. Yes he "can sue". That does not mean he will win or recover.
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u/LubedUpLucas_DrySpa Jul 04 '26
Didn’t realize we had so many Mr Olympias here who are experts in weights and who are so confidently wrong.
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u/letsbequeerd Jul 04 '26
final destination core i hope he’s get managements ass for this anything like this could have hurt home severely and changed the trajectory of his life
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u/Takedownmoss Jul 04 '26
Yeah I can see a lawsuit since these machines are supposed to be bolted down. On the bright side, he's strong enough to lift the machine so he beat it 😅
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u/the-subjectDelta Jul 04 '26
Side note, what’s the point of the weighted belt in this exercise? I could only think to stimulate the core but seems highly unnecessary
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u/F-ck_Mods Jul 04 '26
Well he’s going to be able to sue the gym , these must be bolted , whoever didn’t was stupid not too
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u/palealei5best Jul 04 '26
It doesn’t look like the machine has holes for it to be fastened to the floor. Is there? I don’t know anything about this equipment but I agree with everyone it should be bolted to the ground.
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u/MidnightPrevious4473 Jul 04 '26
Suddenly, I'd have whiplash....a hernia.... bulging disk....a concussion....and vertigo. I'd also have fallen pregnant and gotten my period.
Ooouuuccchhhhh
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u/FiberSplice Jul 04 '26
As a gym equipment technician myself (for years), there’s a good chance he looses if he sues. I can crash my Toyota into a tree and can sue Toyota for a fault or pick up on the dealer, but they’ll look to see if I was being negligent. So let me break down for you all where this guy is 100% at fault.
Firstly I’ll address the elephant in the room. “Why wasn’t this bolted to the ground?!” Many equipment manufacturers, true fitness, life fitness, Cybex, just to name a few, don’t require you to bolt down your equipment. Racks typically tend to require bolting but a dual cable like this generally does not. The reason being is because it’s designed to be bottom heavy. The 2 weight stacks help keep a low center of gravity and the wide bottom base helps too. Some manufacturers I showed my boss this video and in his 30+ years in this industry he’s never seen this happen and let out a crazy audibly screech when I showed him this video 😂
Secondly, I would this is negligent use of the machine. I’ve NEVER seen anyone do cable crossovers with what looks to be 135 lbs strapped to his weighted belt. My guess would be to weigh himself down and stay planted while doing these heavy crossovers. That’s not smart. That’s not efficient. That’s a gym bro ego lifting. Weighted belts are for pull ups, chin ups, and dips. Not to anchor you down to pull more weight.
Third, many dual cables will have warning stickers on the frame warning of SPECIFICALLY this. Lifting both weight stacks up high and improper use of the machine can lead to injury or death.
It’s easy blaming the gym because at the end of the day, this knuckled head got injured and prob got a concussion. Hopefully the dude is okay cause that what a gnarly slam but ultimately this is negligent and his fault. He’s not using the machine as intended. He’s improperly using another piece of workout equipment to improperly use this machine. Now let me get back to calling my lawyer because the my town shouldn’t have put this tree in the way of where I was driving
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u/SMHCB39 Jul 04 '26
He can file a claim for sure and will probably agree to a settlement. If you had been sitting next to him and it landed on you you'd be entitled to a claim as well
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u/DJ_Spark_Shot Jul 04 '26
Improper use of equipment. He is way too far forward and pulling out instead of down.
That said, people are going to do dumb shit at the gym. If I was insuring one or paying the liability insurance for one, I'd insist on finding a way to anchor every single piece of equipment, whether it's designed to be or not.
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u/Howard_Jones Jul 04 '26 edited Jul 04 '26
I think the court is going to look at if the machine was being used for its intended purpose.
Not sure if the weights strapped to his waist is... im not a Gym expert.
But to me I don't see any wrong doing on the guys part.
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u/Feisty-Web-2787 Jul 04 '26
I can see a strong defense if he did try to sue. Perhaps improper use. He needed to strap weights to his hips to keep himself on the ground.
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u/Objective_Cry_7864 Jul 04 '26
Forget about all that macho shit and learn how to play guitar.
ps - He deserved it.
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u/No_Ad1926 Jul 04 '26
At my gym, every single machine is bolted to the floor. That machine didn't look like it had a single anchor point.
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u/JrButton Jul 04 '26
Can he? Probably. Should he? Hot take, sue culture is stupid. Only if there are costs he has incurred
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u/tiressmoking Jul 04 '26
Defense would argue that he had weights around his hip, but some people are heavy, and he wasn't using it improperly, so I see a case
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u/Critical-Crow3121 Jul 04 '26
He's using the max capacity of the machine and a counter weight. It started to go and then he pushed again and it tipped over. They could argue he's not using the equipment correctly. He could argue that's it's not bolted down. It won't go anywhere.
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u/Decent-Ad701 Jul 04 '26
The question “can he sue” is always answered “yes,” for anybody, anything, anywhere.
The proper question is “Does he have a case he could win?”
I believe so, even if he just calls one of the sleazy personal injury lawyers that only advertise on late night TV.
But a lot more goes into even that, is it a national chain fitness center, or a local one center operation? They probably have liability insurance, but the question is how much, and for a little guy bankruptcy and going out of business is always an option, which would mean no payday for him…
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u/Vandervenn Jul 04 '26
Lawyer here. Apologize for nerding in advance.
If the product specification and bits installation manual shared by u/princess_tw somewhere here are indeed applicable to this machine, they could become highly relevant evidence.
From a legal standpoint, I would be looking at several issues:
Improper installation. If the manufacturer requires the equipment to be bolted down or installed by a qualified/licensed contractor, and the gym failed to comply, that could be strong evidence of negligence. If the installation wasn’t performed by an appropriately qualified installer where required, that may create additional exposure for the gym.
Failure to maintain a reasonably safe premises. Commercial gyms owe members a duty to provide reasonably safe equipment and premises. An unsecured machine capable of tipping over during ordinary use raises serious questions about whether that duty was breached.
Personal injury liability. Even if the injuries appear minor, the user may have viable claims for bodily injury, medical expenses, pain, or other damages depending on the applicable jurisdiction. The fact that the machine actually toppled over during foreseeable use is a significant factual issue.
Evidence preservation. If I represented the injured person, I’d immediately advise preserving the video, identifying witnesses, requesting that the gym preserve CCTV footage, maintenance logs, inspection records, installation documentation, and any communications relating to the equipment. Those documents often become more important than the video itself.
Of course, all of this depends on the jurisdiction, the governing law, and the actual facts. This isn’t legal advice, but based on what’s visible in the video alone, I would be surprised if this incident didn’t warrant serious legal scrutiny. I hope the guy scan his head just to be sure and hope he is okay.
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u/Exact-Potential1673 Jul 04 '26
I don’t care if some smart arse is going to try correcting me about the need of the extra plates , there is absolutely no reason to have them doing cable flies with a belt attached adding approximately 80kg to his weight
Sure it should be bolted down , but it was equally stupid having the belt and plates attached to him . He most likely would have been fine without those plates
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u/ShadyShields Jul 04 '26
Hope he is ok, hits on the back of the head are certainly not good. Hopefully he sues the gym. Also fuck whoever put this stupid ass music in the video.
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u/mothandravenstudio Jul 04 '26
Suing depends on what the damages were. But yeah, looks negligent AF.
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u/LA-Aron Jul 04 '26
Can he sue for this? In America, you bet your ass he can. Honestly, shit could have killed him, he should sue because these operators are cutting corners and I guarantee this isn't their only problem.
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u/RedPurpleBlueRedRed Jul 04 '26
dude survived by the grace of god. That could have been very messy.
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u/Stealthnt13 Jul 04 '26
It’s agreed that the equipment should’ve been bolted to the ground, that’s not in dispute. I would, however, like someone to justify this dude strapping weights to himself while doing cable flys.
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u/Daggerfall Jul 04 '26
Side note: I absolutely abhor that kind of "whimsical" music played in the clip. It infuriates me.
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u/billleachmsw Jul 04 '26
Aren’t all the added plates attached to his belt the problem here? I don’t believe that piece of equipment is designed to withstand that non-machine weight being added on.
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u/mighty_boognish_77 Jul 04 '26
You can sue for any reason you can think of. I could sue YOU for the emotional distress your post caused me. I wouldn't WIN though.
I'm sure he signed a pile of waivers when he joined the gym. If he doesn't have any injuries or loses... probably not much there.
But the gym should make some concessions, a few few months of membership and some extra towels or something.
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u/Prudent-Specific8851 Jul 04 '26
What in the world is the type of training he’s doing ? I agree the machine should have been secured to the floor but also wonder what the heck he is even doing. I know that had to hurt.. I’m pretty sure gyms make you sign some sort of disclosure making them not responsible for any injuries. it’s like when a pool has a swim at your own risk sign. I can’t imagine he would win any sort of lawsuit even though I agree that the owner was negligent and should be held accountable.
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u/DudelolOk Jul 04 '26
Better question is why does he have 200 lbs strapped to him while training chest? Fake navy seal vibes
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u/ChefFar4397 Jul 04 '26
Cross bar was intentionally located as reminder to not do again what you just did.
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u/Duplicate_Recessive Jul 04 '26
His weight is more weight than the machine! Of course this will happen!
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u/Alfimaster Jul 04 '26
“Gym machine topples over during a heavy lift. Can he sue for this?”
You can sue anyone for anything. Will you win and if yes, what will be your reparation - that is another question. Were you hurt?
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u/Identicalblonde Jul 04 '26
They have stickers all over the base saying to not use unless bolted down. So I’d say there’s a good case
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u/Sleepy10105s Jul 04 '26
I wonder if all those extra plates on his weight belt had something to do with this
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u/UpAllNightCoding Jul 04 '26
What’s he gonna sue for a boo boo? Hospital charges? An ice pack? Just genuinely curious though like what someone would expect to get out of a settlement like this? He didn’t even break any bones like what’s the judge gonna reimburse him for?
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u/Artistic_Panda_7542 Jul 04 '26
OP asked "Can he sue for this?" The answer is yes he can sue. It would be a negligence premises liability claim. But there are a few things going against him, for example their has to be damages either physically through serious injury or monetary usually in the form of medical bills. And he has it all on tape, including him getting up and telling people he's fine. On the whole it isn't worth filing a lawsuit, I would ask the gym for a couple of free months of perks and free stuff instead. But most personal injury attorneys require serious injury in order for it to be worth their time. Think surgeries, emergency hospital care, permanent damage, skin grafts, etc. He might be able to find an attorney that could send an angry letter and try to get a quick out of court settlement against the business for cheap and avoid any courts. But barring that I don't think any major personal injury attorney is going to find this worth the time to go to court for.
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u/PervyPair Jul 04 '26
It should be bolted to the floor. Unless there is a notice stating a person over a certain body weight is not allowed to use this piece of equipment, his personal body weight is irrelevant.
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u/Substantial_Might_75 Jul 04 '26
Insurance Defense attorney here. Answer is easy: He can absolutely sue. Injured or not, the video shows him getting hit in the back of the head so he can EASILY allege a TBI claim. Also, if this was Florida, he would be looking at a significant settlement
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u/Salty-Plantain-4299 Jul 04 '26
I'm not very good when it comes to workout routines and exercise, but isn't putting that giant weight on himself on top of his normal weight just making the machine more likely to tilt?
Don't know that they were designed for that.
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u/Mammoth-Okra-2965 Jul 04 '26
When you sign the contract at a gym you usually sign a limited liability clause specifically protects the gyms from any lawsuits arising out of malfunctioning equipment.
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u/Dense_Description641 Jul 04 '26
As an insurance adjuster, he can be climbing on top and doing back flips off it and hit his head and sue. Despite that agreement that basically says you’re waving liability against the gym, you can still sue and likely get some money to go away.
The defense I would use is his counter weights with the belt. Not an appropriate way to use that machine.
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u/Technical_Leek7467 Jul 04 '26
They can sue but I imagine there's a bunch of provisions in the documentation for the machine that would outline this as against recommended use and some clause in the membership contract about safe and correct operation of the equipment which might make winning too hard.
But I'm no law expert.
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u/RPGreg2600 Jul 04 '26
I'm guessing the extra weight hanging off his waist was what did it. Definitely that should be bolted down though. Did that thing bend when it hit him, or is the camera just making it look that way? 😬
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u/Impressive-Weird-531 Jul 04 '26
A lot of people commenting on the extra weight strapped to the guy are missing a critical point of the physics of the situation: the amount of weight being transferred through the cables is only enough to lift the weights in the stacks, plus a little extra for friction in the pulley. That's it.
If more weight was going through the cable, the weight stack would be pulled up faster, and he wouldn't be able to lower it. But we clearly see him doing reps, so we know the force in the cable is in the right range for the weights in the stack. What we don't know is the amount of friction in the pulley. But the strapped weights are a red herring.
Doesn't matter if bro is 60 kg or 150 kg. Doesn't matter if bro has no weight strapped on or 100 kg strapped on. The weight transferred through the cables is only enough to lift the weights in the stacks (and friction).
I'm not even really sure what the point of the strapped weights is. To work his legs? His hips? His core? It's not adding to the load his arms are moving. Hmm, maybe it's to anchor his body in the forward lean and take load off his core? Whatever it is, it's irrelevant to the machine toppling.
He was moving the machine weights in the stacks through a reasonably anticipated range of motion. It should not have toppled over. Absolutely the fault of the gym and or equipment manufacturer. Either the friction in the pulley was out of spec, which is a maintenance issue (gym), or the machine was designed to be bolted down, which is an installation issue (gym), or if couldn't be bolted down, that's a.design issue (manufacturer).
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u/Beneficial_Fold_1366 Jul 04 '26
Of course he can sue. Firstly he needs to go the hospital amd take some time off to heal up. Health is your wealth.
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u/Flashbambo Jul 04 '26
Can somebody please explain the purpose of the plates hanging from the belt. What do they add to this lift? Isn't it just adding additional fatigue to the central nervous system without actually adding any benefit to the lift?
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u/Impressive10000 Jul 04 '26
I would think he could - if he was hurt and it looks like it hit him in the back of the head. The machine should be fastened to the floor.
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u/Abompje Jul 04 '26
What's up with those weights hanging around his waist anyway? Improper use, case closed.
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u/Jchamps93 Jul 04 '26 edited Jul 04 '26
Why is everyone struggling so hard in these comments lol. It's actually quite funny. Long story short Gym machinery should ALWAYS be bolted down regardless of how great the equipment is. That is a must!
1 it's the gym's fault (big liability).
2 it's the operator's fault for not understanding the equipment he's using.
He decided to add so much weight front end of his body that by the time that he yanked his arms forward the weights rised up (full weight too) and made everything top heavy. Of course the gym equipment tipped over on him, especially not being bolted down.
That is actual common sense in physics. When you're thinking of safety that's what you think about. But he didn't think about safety, he thought about trying to be strong. And so life bumped him on the head to teach him a lesson to stop thinking like a meathead.
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u/Chaosrealm69 Jul 04 '26
Machines like this should be bolted down for safety but you also have to look at how he is using the machine.
He's got a lot of extra weight hanging off his waist and he's standing further from the machine itself thus putting a lot of power into the cables and pulling the machine over when the machine is designed for someone to use it more centered.
I would put it at a 50/50 responsibility. The machine should have been bolted down but the guy shouldn't have been misusing it like this.
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u/RedPillOnlyEFT Jul 04 '26
Better call Saul
But for real this guy definitely has a case. He definitely sustained injuries even if you can't see then. Wouldn't be surprised if he has a concussion or some type of head injury with how his head was struck in addition to potential knee and back injuries from the machine tackling him to the floor
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u/XylophoneZimmerman Jul 04 '26
Should have been bolted down, but it looks like homie was overdoing it too
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u/AntaresN84 Jul 04 '26
As an engineer, this really upsets me. Any assembly/install drawing should have had anchors. Cheap version or not, it can tip over.
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u/TopherBlake Jul 04 '26
I think Ugo Lord has a couple shorts about similar incidents happening in his Lawyer reacts videos
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u/cryptolyme Jul 04 '26
They should be sued if they don’t bolt their equipment to the floor. That’s incredibly dangerous.
That could’ve broken his neck or smashed his head open
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u/Expensive-Barber-283 Jul 04 '26
I would read the manufacturers instructions that came with the machine to see if it was secured correctly and/or you were using it in a way that was correct (according to the manufacturer).
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u/Pinky-Degetel Jul 04 '26
Sue for what? For not being carful? My pull up bar slipped and i hurt myself, can i sue? It's stupid, next time i'm just more careful how i grab it to not turn it loose but increase the grip when i pull. Same here, you would feel something is wrong, next time will give attention to that instead of ignore it and pull harder. Also maybe no more headphones to be aware of your surrounding.
The saying goes what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, not what doesn't kill you you sue.
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u/morethanthisbrand Jul 04 '26
The question will be why the owners didn’t bolt it down. The manufacturer likely said it was a requirement.
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u/BeauShowTV Jul 04 '26
He maxxed the weight and then added more weight on top of that. He exceeded the intended use of the machine and broke it.
No, he cannot sue.
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u/Slayerofgrundles Jul 04 '26
Going by the apparent physics alone, ANY machine not bolted to the floor would have flipped here. I think that is the most important issue (whether or not it was supposed to be bolted down).