News report:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/09/usc-stafon-johnson-weightlifting-accident.html

General reminder: Use all available safety features of your gym whenever possible and don't be afraid to get a spotter. Mishaps can happen to even seasoned lifters. As a spotter, be vigilant and speak up before the lift if you don't think you can provide adequate support.

Also, try not to drop barbells on your neck. :nono:

I saw this and as much as I disklike U$C, I wouldn't wish this on anyone. It creeps me out to think about how much that must have hurt.

The pain was probably secondary to the fear that must have set in! Even the slightest inability to breath is very very scary. Ever think you were choking on something...that couple of seconds is like "HOLY SHIT!!!" scary.

I hear he will make a full recovery.

It was 275 pounds from what I've heard. Seven hours of emergency surgery.

As a spotter, be vigilant and speak up before the lift if you don't think you can provide adequate support.


I read about his on bb.com yesterday. In all fairness, no spotter on earth is going to catch 275 pounds if you simply drop the bar.

Also, they didn't say he was using a thumbless, but these accidents are most likely to happen when going thumbless. JoeSchmo's daily tip: Wrap your thumb around the friggin' bar!

I read about his on bb.com yesterday. In all fairness, no spotter on earth is going to catch 275 pounds if you simply drop the bar.
True. Like I noted, I was just generally reminding. For 275 specifically, you could always get more than one spotter. I think three could handle 275 pretty well. :whistle:

JoeSchmo's daily tip: Wrap your thumb around the friggin' bar!
:lol: :tucool:

Outstanding levels of ignorance being displayed in the comments for that news article :lol:

http://forums.johnstonefitness.com/showpost.php?p=507781&postcount=1

:(

This story made me think back to when I was a senior in High School. In my weight training class from across the room I saw this freshman go to re-rack a barbell on the bench, missed the set hooks and let go dropping the bar on his forehead :eek:

That was probably one of the gnarliest things I've see in person. He ended up being ok but suffered a major concussion. It could've easily been a lot worse.