Justyn Vicky death updates — Tributes pour in for bodybuilder, 33, who broke his neck during freak squat accident at gym
A BALI-based bodybuilder has died aged 33 after a routine squat in the gym went disastrously wrong.
Justyn Vicky, who was also a personal trainer, tragically died during a freak accident at the gym while performing a back squat.
According to reports, the bodybuilder was attempting to squat 460lbs when the accident occurred in Sanur, Bali.
Footage shows the 33-year-old from East Java, Indonesia, grunting while trying to extend his legs as the heavy bar weighs down upon his shoulders.
But in a shocking twist, the stacked barbell comes crashing down onto the back of his neck - pushing his head forward at a gruesome angle.
Read our Justyn Vicky live blog below for the latest updates...
More tips for safe bodybuilding training
There's no such thing as being too safe, that's why here are some more tips to practise save bodybuilding training.
- Wear appropriate clothing that allows you to move your whole body.
- Make sure all the weight plates are properly secured before doing a lift.
- Training in the morning, especially if you train at home in a garage for example, means you'll get some cooler temperatures. Try not to train in temperatures over 100 degrees as it could lead to heatstroke.
- Stop what you're doing if you feel dizzy or feel like you're going to faint.
- No momentum when lifting weight, just use a safe lifting speed which you feel is within your control.
Justyn looked up to Cristiano Ronaldo
The bodybuilder shared a video of Cristiano Ronaldo talking about the importance of keeping one's body healthy.
He edited with a little clip of him training too.
Dangers of bodybuilding
A doctor issued a chilling warning about the dangers of bodybuilding after the death of Jo Lindner.
Speaking to the U.S. Sun, Dr. Chris Raynor said: "He has done things in his training that have probably contributed to his death. Because he had used them (performance-enhancing drugs) for some time ... his body was not able to produce a normal level on its own."
Read all about what Dr. Raynor had to say below.
Mourners shout their concerns for bodybuilders
The bodybuilding world has raised concerns over young people passing away too soon while doing what they love most.
It comes as the bodybuilding world has lost Justyn Vicky, the same month influencer Jo Lindner - also known as Joesthetics - passed away.
Lindner passed away after he had been complaining about neck pain for three days and then suffered an aneurysm.
Fans took to Twitter to voice their fears with one saying: "I don’t think I wanna be a bodybuilder anymore, yoh. The way these guys are being taken out."
Another added: "Body builders need to start taking it easy. We haven’t recovered from losing Joesthetics. may their beautiful strong souls rest in peace."
Fellow amateur bodybuilders pay tribute
Fellow amateur bodybuilders have paid tribute to Justyn Vicky following the news of his passing.
Taking to social media one wrote: “He was always full of positive vibes and make me to stay motivated. I’ll never forget his impact on my fitness journey.
”It’s a tough loss, but we’ll keep his spirit alive.”
A second posted: “I didn’t know him well, but when we talked he seemed like a great person – my condolences to the family.”
Bali fitness community mourns after tragic accident
Gede Sutarya, also known as Kang Gede in the Tarung Derajat Bali community, has shared fond memories of his close relationship with Vicky.
Gede Sutarya told the Bali Express: ”Mas Vicky was a good person, polite, and sociable. He always shared knowledge about the gym.
”He also advised friends at the gym to be cautious and not exceed their capabilities during training. Only we ourselves can measure our own abilities.
”May Mas Vicky rest peacefully in the embrace of God and find a worthy place.”
Tips for practicing safe weightlifting
It's important to practice safe weightlifting in the gym.
Below are some tips to stay safe while still pushing your body:
- Only lift a weight with good form – don’t force it.
- Try to have a gym partner, especially when on a bench press.
- Stay hydrated.
- Be aware of those around you and other objects that might be in your area.
- Put the weights back so they don’t distract you or anyone else or pose a threat.
- Use a towel to try and keep the gym as germ-free as possible.
- Warm-up to prepare your body.
- Take your time, this isn’t a race.
- Lift weight that you can handle, don’t push your body too much and risk hurting yourself.
- If you’re not sure of an exercise or of whether you’re doing something right, ask someone.
Paradise Bali pays tribute, concluded
The gym concluded: "Today, as we bid farewell to our dear Justyn let us remember him as an extraordinary soul who dedicated his life to improving ours.
"Let us honor his memory by continuing to embrace the values and lessons he imparted upon us: to strive for our goals, to lift each other up, and to cherish the gift of health."
To our dear Justyn, your impact on our lives is immeasurable. Your legacy will live on through the countless lives you've touched, the transformations you've inspired, and the love and passion you infused into every moment we spent together."
"Rest peacefully, dear friend. You will forever remain in our hearts. "
Paradise Bali pays tribute, part two
The tribute continued: "Every session with Justyn felt like much more than just exercise. He created a nurturing environment where we felt safe to challenge ourselves, both physically and mentally.
"His belief in our potential pushed us beyond our limits, empowering us to discover newfound strength and resilience within ourselves."
"Beyond the gym, Justyn was a friend, and a source of unwavering support. His warm smile and genuine interest in our lives made us feel seen and valued.
"He celebrated our triumphs, listened to our struggles, and reminded us that we were never alone in our journey towards better health and well-being.
Paradise Bali pays tribute
The gym that Justyn Vicky frequented has posted a tribute in honor of the late fitness influencer.
The tribute included a photo of Justyn at the gym and the caption read: "Today, we gather to celebrate the incredible life of our beloved personal trainer and friend, Justyn.
"It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of his passing, and yet, our spirits are lifted by the profound impact he had on each and every one of us."
"Justyn was more than just a fitness expert; he was a beacon of inspiration, motivation, and unwavering support. His infectious energy and genuine passion for helping others transform their lives touched us deeply.
"Through countless workouts, words of encouragement, and compassionate guidance, he became an irreplaceable part of our fitness journeys and our gym family.
Justyn Vicky frequently squatted heavy weights
Justyn Vicky was a bodybuilder and frequently lifted extremely heavy weights.
He a video on his Instagram account just two weeks ago squatting 200kg (440 lbs.).
In the clip he is able to safely squat the barbell with his coach spotting him.
Everything to know about Justyn Vicky
Justyn Vicky was a 33-year-old bodybuilder, nutritional advisor and personal trainer.
He was from East Java, Indonesia and had around 30,000 Instagram followers.
He was described to be a “good person, polite and sociable” by many of his friends.
One friend, Gede Sutarya, mentioned how he always “advised friends at the gym to be cautious and not exceed their capabilities during training.”
Justyn Vicky was rushed to hospital
Justyn Vicky broke his neck attempting to squat over 400lbs.
After the accident, Justyn was rushed to a local hospital with a broken neck and critical compression of vital nerves connecting to his heart and lungs.
He died shortly after an emergency operation, despite the surgeons’ best efforts.
Justyn Vicky's career in the fitness industry
Fitness influencer Justyn Vicky was a bodybuilder, nutritional advisor, and personal trainer based in Bali.
Vicky, who boasted nearly 30,000 Instagram followers, was well-known for the ‘love and passion’ he put into his personal coaching.
The bodybuilder died aged 33 after a tragic accident at a gym as he attempted to squat-press 460lb.
Justyn was full of ‘positive vibes’
Fans of the fitness influencer have flocked to his Instagram to honor him after his death.
One fan wrote: “He was always full of positive vibes and make me to stay motivated. I’ll never forget his impact on my fitness journey. It’s a tough loss, but we’ll keep his spirit alive.”
Another added: “Rest in peace brother.”
Bodybuilding explained
Bodybuilding is the use of progressive resistance exercise to build, control, and develop one’s muscles via hypertrophy.
The sport focuses on weight training and aerobic exercise to increase one's muscle.
An individual who engages in this activity is referred to as a bodybuilder.
Pros and cons of bodybuilding
Justyn Vicky rose to popularity through his bodybuilding content, but there are various advantages and disadvantages to the extreme sport.
Although bodybuilding can contribute to overall health through strength training, it can also be risky.
Intense lifting can put you at risk of tearing your aorta and increases the likelihood of fatal heart injury.
According to , bodybuilders also typically restrict caloric intake and increase protein levels which can impact the amount of nutrients in your diet.
Risk of injury or death is also present when lifting extremely heavy weights.
Practice safe bodybuilding
Bodybuilding can be a healthy sport to keep your body in shape, however, it's important to keep safe practices in mind while lifting.
experts advise:
- Wear appropriate clothing
- When in doubt, ask for help
- Ensure all the weight plates are secured before lifting
- Warm-up before lifting heavy
- Practice perfect form instead of focusing on the weight
- Use a safe lifting speed
- Be aware of surroundings
- Immediately stop working out if you feel dizzy/faint
- Don't train in the excessive heat unless working out indoors with air conditioning
- Be extra cautious of your capabilities if working out alone
Friends pay tribute
Justyn was well-known in Bali’s bodybuilding community and they are grieving his loss.
His friend Gede Sutarya wrote: “Vicky was a good person, polite, and sociable. He always shared knowledge about the gym. He also advised friends at the gym to be cautious and not exceed their capabilities during training.
“Only we ourselves can measure our own abilities. May Mas Vicky rest peacefully in the embrace of God and find a worthy place.”
Bodybuilding community mourns
The bodybuilding community has suffered a difficult few months as multiple prominent names in the industry have died.
Popular bodybuilding influencer, Jo Lindner died on July 1 after reportedly having an aneurysm.
Bodybuilding legend Gustavo Badell, who competed in Mr. Olympia also died at the age of 50 just a few weeks ago.
The horrifying moment
Justyn Vicky died after breaking his neck while squatting over 400 lbs. at the gym.
Footage of the freak accident showed the 33-year-old from East Java, Indonesia, trying to extend his legs with the massive weight across his shoulders.
He struggled to stand upright and the lone spotter behind him was completely helpless as Justyn fell.
The stacked barbell came crashing down onto the back of his neck, pushing his head forward at a gruesome angle.
Justyn then dropped backward to the floor in front of horrified gymgoers.
Justyn Vicky's message
Justyn Vicky a video of Christiano Ronaldo on his Instagram just over a month ago.
He captioned the clip: "Soon mine 35 years old but still do workouts! Don’t being lazy,your body it’s your house to live, teach your kids to be health!"
Vicky also included a video of himself exercising.
Justyn Vicky's rise to fame
Justyn Vicky rose to popularity as a fitness influencer, amassing over 29,000 followers online.
His last post was a video of the influencer in an ice bath.
The caption included a series of benefits of taking an ice bath including, increasing energy levels, improving discipline, and boosting your immune system.
Tributes pour in
The Paradise Bali gym said in a tribute on social media: “To our dear Justyn, your impact on our lives is immeasurable.
“Your legacy will live on through the countless lives you’ve touched, the transformations you’ve inspired, and the love and passion you infused into every moment we spent together.
“Rest peacefully, dear friend. You will forever remain in our hearts.”
Coach shares tips on how to perform back squat safely
Fitness coach Dede Royer recently shared tips on how to perform the back squat safely.
It comes after bodybuilder Justyn Vicky tragically died during a freak accident at the gym while performing a back squat.