I’m sure we have all feared this exact thing happening when working with barbells in the gym. Whether performing squats, deadlifts, bench presses, or any exercise where a barbell is involved, at one point or another, we all have been a little scared of the bar breaking from overuse.

Unfortunately, this exact thing recently happened to one man who was trying to squat with a massive amount of weight. And the result? A terrifying force that put everyone in extreme danger.

Check out the video below:

MP’s Take: I’m so glad nobody was hurt. The force of the snap was extreme and could really have caused serious, traumatic injury, including death. The accident reminds us to be sure we are using the proper barbells for the exercise we are doing. As the video commenter noted, there are different barbells for different exercises. Barbells that are thicker are made for squats, deadlifts, and exercises with higher weight. Be sure to take a few moments before your workout to confirm you are using the correct equipment. And as the commenter also noted, make sure your spotter is able to spot you properly in case there is an accident. The spotter in the video is quite a bit smaller than the lifter which makes it concerning that he might not be able to help in the best way possible. Remember, with strength training and anything in the gym, safety is key; it should always be a top priority and should never be neglected. Be careful out there!