A video of a woman who fell off a treadmill while attempting to retrieve her mobile phone has gone viral on TikTok.
The footage, shared by Georgie Robinson, which received 8.5 million views and 446,200 likes, was posted with a caption that said: "When someone asks me why I don't like the gym #ouch #ohno #flop #gymlife #fyp #treadmill #gym."
The video, which appears to be security camera footage, shows the woman running on a treadmill before her phone is seen flying off of the machine and landing behind it on the floor. The user then manages to lift her feet off the running belt and onto the side panels to climb off the machine and grab her phone from the floor.
As she steps back onto the machine, the woman is seen sliding off the belt and tumbling onto the ground while reaching for the bar handles in an attempt to keep herself from falling.
In a comment that received 3,516 likes, the original poster said: "FYI I paused the treadmill and it didn't stop [crying laughing emoji and frustrated face emoji]."
Robinson is not alone when it comes to tripping or risking injury while using gym equipment. A 2017 U.K. study by British personal injury law firm Hayward Baker showed that 41 percent of gym-goers have injured themselves while working out.
A spokesperson for Hayward Baker said at the time: "It's vital you understand how all the equipment works and that you know your limits."
@georgierobinson13 When someone asks me why I don’t like the gym 🫣🤦🏽♀️ #ouch #ohno #flop #gymlife #fyp #treadmill #gym
♬ Oh No - Kreepa
A study from April 2015 published in the peer-reviewed journal Injury Epidemiology found that "falls and awkward landings," 28.5 percent and 25.8 percent, respectively, were common causes of injuries during group exercise classes.
"Trips and falls were common throughout facilities, as well as from cardiovascular equipment more specifically," the study said.
A December 2017 study published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Behavior Addictions also found "smartphone addiction was significantly associated with total accident, falling/slipping, and bumps/collisions" and "highlighted the need for increased awareness of the risk of accidents with smartphone addiction."
The latest viral TikTok video has had users in stitches, with many saying they could relate to the original poster's embarrassing moment.
Mads said: "OH MY GOD GEORGIE HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAH CRYING," to which the original poster replied: "honestly it hurts but it's hilarious."
In a comment that got 8,058 likes, user lou.vrie noted that someone is bound to "ask you how you are and you just have to say that you're fine."
In a comment that got 2,489 likes, user RHEEGAN [lion emoji] said: "I would never step foot back in the gym if I did that [crying laughing emoji]."
Laura Gumbrell simply said: "THIS KILLED ME," in a comment that got 1,557 likes.
Aimee Reynolds said: "I've literally done this but I wasn't even smart enough to pause the treadmill before I tried to get my phone," to which Robinson said "it didn't help me anyway sis hahahahaha."
In a comment that got 329 likes, user Char [heart emoji] said: "I watched this thinking - yep, this is something I would do! And [i'd] ask for the footage too [crying laughing emoji] hope youre ok girl!."
Hazel added: "This is why I don't go [to] gyms. I just know this is the sort of thing that would happen to me [crying laughing emoji]."
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Soo Kim is a Newsweek reporter based in London, U.K. She covers various lifestyle stories, specializing in travel and health.
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