With the increasing popularity of gyms and fitness regimes in India, a concerning number of unfortunate incidents have been reported, ranging from cardiac arrests to accidents and fights within fitness centers. Several people have died due to heart attacks and accidents while working out.
High-Profile Deaths Linked to Gym Workouts
One of the most widely discussed cases was the death of comedian and actor Raju Srivastava in September 2022. Srivastava, a renowned stand-up comic who later entered politics, suffered a heart attack on August 10 while working out at a hotel gym in Delhi. He was rushed to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), where he underwent angioplasty. Despite treatment for over 40 days, he never regained consciousness. His brother Dipoo Srivastava stated, "I got a call in the morning saying he is no more. It is really unfortunate news. He had been waging a struggle for life in hospital for over 40 days." The 58-year-old comedian, who joined the BJP in 2014 after a stint with the Samajwadi Party, was among India's most recognized stand-up comedians and had appeared in films such as "Maine Pyar Kiya" and "Baazigar." At the time of his death, he served as chairperson of the Film Development Council Uttar Pradesh.
Puneeth Rajkumar's Sudden Passing
Less than a year before Srivastava's death, Kannada superstar Puneeth Rajkumar died after suffering a heart attack in October 2021. The actor was rushed to a hospital in Bengaluru after complaining of chest pain. A hospital statement said he was brought to the emergency department in a non-responsive state with cardiac asystole, and advanced cardiac resuscitation was initiated. The 46-year-old actor, popularly known as 'Appu,' was the son of legendary Kannada actor Rajkumar and Parvathamma. A successful actor, television presenter, and producer, Puneeth started his career as a child artist before debuting as a lead actor in the 2002 film "Appu." He delivered several successful films including "Abhi," "Maurya," "Ajay," and "Arasu," and hosted the Kannada version of "Kaun Banega Crorepati" titled "Kannadada Kotyadhipati." His death triggered an outpouring of grief across Karnataka and the film industry.
Television Actor Siddhaanth Vir Surryavanshi Collapsed During Workout
In November 2022, another sudden death linked to exercise raised concerns among health experts. Television actor Siddhaanth Vir Surryavanshi, 46, collapsed while working out at a gym in Mumbai. He was rushed to Kokilaben Ambani Hospital, where doctors attempted to revive him for around 40 minutes but could not save him. This incident came only weeks after Raju Srivastava's death, renewing discussions about fitness-related cardiac emergencies. Cardiologist Dr. Ganesh Kumar emphasized that even regular exercisers should be cautious. "Those who want to take up gymming should first undergo a cardiac evaluation," he said. He noted that small plaque deposits in blood vessels, which may otherwise appear harmless, can rupture during sudden physical exertion. "It is not advisable for people to undertake intense activity while eating next to nothing or sleeping only for three hours," Dr. Kumar added. Surryavanshi was known for television shows including "Kkusum," "Krishna Arjun," and "Kasautii Zindagii Kay." He is survived by his wife and two children. Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri expressed concern over extreme fitness trends, calling hyper-gymming a dangerous phenomenon fueled by Instagram that needs regulation. Mumbai Police registered an accidental death report.
Electrocution and Violence in Gyms
Engineer Dies of Electrocution on Gym Treadmill
While several gym-related deaths have been linked to cardiac issues, some incidents have resulted from alleged negligence. In July 2023, 24-year-old engineer Saksham Pruthi died after allegedly receiving an electric shock from a treadmill at a gym in Delhi. According to police, Saksham was brought to the hospital unconscious after being electrocuted while using the treadmill. His mother alleged negligence by the gym management, stating she would not have allowed her son to go to the gym had she known he would not return. Another gym member, Keshav, also received an electric shock while attempting to help Saksham. Keshav reported that around 7:15 am, Saksham sat between two treadmills to rest but suddenly fell. When Keshav tried to lift him, he too suffered a shock. He managed to switch off the power before others rushed to assist. While Keshav survived, Saksham did not respond to CPR and was declared dead. Police arrested gym owner Anubhav Duggal and registered a case under IPC sections 287 (negligent conduct with respect to machinery) and 304A (causing death by negligence). Saksham is survived by his parents and a sister.
Fatal Fight Over Loud Music at Delhi Gym
Gyms have also witnessed incidents unrelated to exercise or health. In March 2022, a dispute over loud music inside a gym in Delhi's Paharganj area turned deadly. A fight broke out between two groups at Fitness Hub Gym in Chuna Mandi, resulting in the death of 45-year-old businessman Manoj Manchanda. According to police, Manoj suffered serious injuries and died during treatment. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Shweta Chahan said Mayank Manchanda had informed his father Manoj that a group was fighting with him inside the gym. When Manoj and his son reached the spot, the confrontation escalated into a violent scuffle. Several people from both groups sustained injuries. A case was registered on charges of murder, attempt to murder, and common intention. Police later apprehended two accused. Investigators found that the two groups had previously been involved in a case of affray registered the previous year.
Why Can Exercise Trigger a Heart Attack?
Medical experts emphasize that exercise itself is not dangerous, but intense physical activity can expose previously undiagnosed heart conditions. Dr. Haresh G Mehta, senior cardiologist at SL Raheja Hospital, Mumbai, attributed the increasing number of heart attacks among younger individuals to lifestyle factors and unsupervised fitness routines. "One of the major reasons for this is a bad lifestyle, coupled with unsupervised exercise regimens," he said. "One might appear healthy but they need not be healthy. In today's fast-paced life, there has been a rise in people being sleep deprived, binge drinking, smoking, addicted to certain drugs, along with having a family history of heart ailments. They may have an underlying problem that goes unnoticed due to a lack of awareness of the need for a health check-up before initiating an exercise schedule." Dr. Rishi Gupta, chairman of cardiac sciences at Accord Superspeciality Hospital, Faridabad, said running or intense exercise could trigger a heart attack in people already suffering from heart disease, particularly those who are asymptomatic. "People in their 40s, and those who are obese or diabetic, should undergo a proper cardiac check-up before stepping on the treadmill," he advised. "When they are on it, they should be careful about unusual shortness of breath or chest heaviness. If they are experiencing such symptoms, they should stop immediately and consult a cardiologist right away. Ideally, any person above 40 should get a proper cardiac check-up and then take a treadmill test."
Growing Focus on Gym Safety
The deaths of celebrities such as Raju Srivastava, Puneeth Rajkumar, and Siddhaanth Vir Surryavanshi, along with incidents involving electrocution and violence inside fitness centres, have intensified calls for stricter safety protocols and greater awareness among gym-goers. Experts say regular health assessments, adequate sleep, proper nutrition, supervised training, and adherence to safety standards can help reduce risks associated with fitness activities. Gym operators must ensure that equipment and facilities are properly maintained to prevent avoidable tragedies.
