In a jaw-dropping incident that’s making waves across social media, a British woman in her thirties experienced a horrifying gym accident that left her with fractures in both ankles.
The Sun and other media outlets reported on Tuesday that Kia Kidd, 34, sustained the injury last May while attempting a 120 kg (265-pound) barbell squat. She had successfully lifted that weight before, but this time the outcome was drastically different.
Kidd said she normally used the rack for support but felt extra confident that day and wanted to test her strength. As she tried to rise from the squat, the weight proved too much. She collapsed, and in a moment captured on video, both ankles twisted and snapped.
Medical professionals later diagnosed Kidd with hairline fractures in both ankle bones. After a thorough medical examination, doctors confirmed the diagnosis and prescribed a course of wearing protective braces for seven weeks. They also advised her to avoid any strenuous exercise during recovery.
Kidd shared a video of her accident on her TikTok account on October 22, and it quickly went viral, gaining over 10,000 views. She has since returned to the gym but said she now approaches her workouts with far greater caution.
Barbell squats, a go-to move for fitness enthusiasts aiming to strengthen their lower body, involve balancing a weighted bar across the shoulders before performing the squat motion.
Fitness professionals caution that the knees should not bend beyond a 90-degree angle when performing a squat. They emphasize that squats target the thighs, glutes, calves, and lower back, and maintaining proper form is crucial. To prevent injury, experts recommend keeping the knees behind the toes and ensuring stable posture throughout the movement. Adding a barbell increases the intensity of the exercise and engages the core muscles as the body works to stabilize.
If someone experiences a suspected hairline fracture like Kidd’s, medical experts advise avoiding weight-bearing activities and wearing a brace as prescribed. Once the pain subsides, it’s essential to reintroduce exercise with gentle strength and balance training gradually.
