A Spin Class Landed A Woman In Hospital For A Week. What Happened?

She signed up for a beginner spin class after not working out for some time.

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Every time the new year comes around, we’re all determined to make good on our fitness goals.

However, we must remember to take it slow when it comes to exercise especially if we have not worked out for a long time.

This is because you might overexert yourselves and it can cause more health complications.

Recently, a woman signed up for her first spin class on 10 January 2022. She went for the 45-minute beginner class because she hasn’t exercised for some time.

After 15 minutes in, she already felt like she couldn’t cope any longer and decided to stop. She rested while the class went on before continuing to paddle slowly.

When the class ended, she said she felt like she couldn’t stand up.

The next day, she only felt the usual muscle aches and just went about her day. For the next few days, she felt more muscle aches including her stomach. She was also walking in pain.

On 13 January 2022, she noticed that her urine was dark brown in colour and immediately Googled her symptoms.

She discovered that she might be experiencing Rhabdomyolysis. She was afraid but it was too late to see a doctor so she waited until the next morning.

According to CDC, Rhabdomyolysis, also known as rhabdo, is a rapid breakdown of muscle tissue. It occurs when damaged muscle tissue releases its proteins and electrolytes into the blood.

These substances can damage the heart and kidneys. In serious cases, it can cause permanent disability or even death.

The causes for rhabdo are heat exposure, physical exertion, and direct trauma from accidents such as a crush injury from a fall.

Staying in the hospital for a week

Creatine kinase (CK) value went over 1,000.

When the colour of her urine did not change the next day, she went straight to the hospital.

The doctor advised her to stay in the hospital for observation to make sure her liver function is still good.

Her blood test report showed the creatine kinase (CK) value was above 1,000. A normal CK value should be around 200.

A CK test is usually used to diagnose and monitor muscular injuries and diseases.

To treat her condition, she was advised to drink lots of water and record the amount of water she drank and pee.

On 17 January 2022, her CK value scarily rose to more than 100k but she kept on drinking water. Two days later, her CK value finally dropped to 11k.

The doctor said blood work is still needed to make sure her kidney function and CK value return to normal.

Throughout her whole ordeal, she said she did not sleep much and had woken up in pain for several days.

After sharing her ordeal on Facebook, she discovered that a lot of people has been hospitalized after going to a spin class.

She reminded everyone that while exercising is a good thing, a spin class is not a workout that’s suited for everyone and reminded everyone to be careful.

Overexertion during physical exercise happens more often than we think. There have been a few reports of people falling seriously ill or dying due to overexertion during exercise.

Should we stop exercising?

While these are serious cases, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t exercise or do sports. To be safe, start slow with light exercises and focus on the quality of the reps instead of intensity and the number of reps you do.

If you’re planning to try out a spin class for yourself but feel nervous, check out this video documenting TRP’s experience during a trial spin class.

Last but not least, remember to listen to your body whenever you exercise and stop if you feel something doesn’t feel right.

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