Planet Fitness Lawsuit Alleges Defective Weight Machine Led to Serious Injuries

Lawsuit claims a Pennsylvania man’s broken ribs and back injury were caused by a defective and improperly placed piece of exercise equipment at a Planet Fitness gym.

A Pennsylvania couple’s lawsuit claims that a Life Fitness rowing machine cable snapped, throwing the husband into nearby equipment that had been negligently placed too close to the defective machine.

The complaint (PDF) was originally brought by Christopher and Johanna Brauer in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas last month, naming TG3 Enterprises Inc., doing business as Planet Fitness, and Life Fitness LLC as defendants. 

Upright rowing machines are exercise devices that typically feature a pulley and straight bar or rope attachment. They are designed to build strength in the upper back and shoulders by using the cable system to provide tension. A user must pull the handle toward their chin, engaging their muscles, while the machine provides consistent resistance.

Although these devices are generally safe to use, if the cable is defective, it may snap, sending the user flying backward when the tension holding them in place is suddenly released. As a result, the user may fall into the wall or other equipment that is placed at an unsafe distance, potentially resulting in serious injury.

According to the lawsuit, Christopher Brauer was exercising at a Planet Fitness gym in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, on January 19, 2025, when he used a Life Fitness SYNRGY 360T Versa-Cable Universal machine, which can function as an upright rowing machine.

The complaint states that the machine was positioned in the gym’s “360 Room,” alongside other fitness equipment, including a metal standing leg raise/dip machine placed too close to the cable unit. While performing an exercise as intended, Brauer says the machine’s cable suddenly snapped, hurling him backward into the nearby equipment.

Other gym members reportedly witnessed the incident, which was captured on the facility’s surveillance system. The lawsuit indicates that Planet Fitness contacted Life Fitness about replacing the broken cable three days later.

Brauer was transported by ambulance to Geisinger-St. Luke’s Hospital in Orwigsburg, where he was diagnosed with a fractured rib, fractured vertebra and a collapsed lung. He was fitted with an LSO brace, prescribed pain medication, and has remained under neurosurgical care since the accident.

“Prior to Christopher Brauer’s January 19, 2025 incident and injuries, Defendant Planet Fitness knew or should have known that cables on the Life Fitness SYNRGY 360T Versa-Cable machines were frayed, prone to fraying or otherwise prone to sudden failure and snapping without warning to gym members including Christopher Brauer.”

– Christopher Brauer and Johanna Brauer v. TG3 Enterprises Inc. et al

The lawsuit accuses Planet Fitness of gross negligence and reckless disregard for member safety, alleging that the gym:

• Failed to inspect or replace frayed cables known to be prone to sudden failure
• Placed heavy metal equipment too close to the cable station
• Ignored proper spacing and safety standards, creating a hazardous layout

The complaint further claims Planet Fitness was aware or should have been aware of prior fraying or snapping issues with Life Fitness SYNRGY 360T cables and failed to take the machine out of service or warn members.

Life Fitness is accused of negligent design and manufacturing, failure to warn, and strict liability for allegedly producing a machine with cables that were defectively designed, prone to fraying, and unsafe for use under ordinary conditions. The lawsuit also alleges the company failed to implement safer retrofit designs or communicate known risks to gyms and users.

The Brauers raise claims of gross negligence, negligence, strict liability, and loss of consortium against both defendants, seeking damages for pecuniary loss, past and future medical expenses, loss of services, pain and suffering, mental anguish, humiliation, and loss of life’s pleasures.

The case, which was originally filed in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, was removed to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on November 3 after Life Fitness invoked federal diversity jurisdiction.

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