Man sues fitness center over exploding exercise ball

SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah County man is suing 24 Hour Fitness after he says an exercise ball exploded while he was standing on it.

The man says a personal trainer in 2008 had him standing on the rubber ball, lifting two 90-pound weights over his head.

While lifting the weights above his head, the ball "exploded," sending the man to the ground, according to documents filed Thursday in 3rd District Court.

As he fell, the man hit his head on the floor, and one of the 90-pound weights "smashed" into his face, leaving an indentation in his face for more than two weeks, according to the documents.

After the accident, the man learned that the ball was a lighter-weight exercise ball not designed to take the weight for someone standing on it.

According to the court documents, 24 Hour Fitness replaced all the exercise balls at the gym.

The man also is seeking damages from the maker of the fitness ball, Apex Fitness Inc.

— Josh Smith