A woman's Pilates class took an unexpected turn when she ended up in hospital.
Lola Fernandez (@lolurrrra), 24, has a sensitive stomach and ate something that didn't sit well with her on January 20. The next day, she felt better after throwing up that morning and attended a Pilates class at her gym. She did not realize the class had intense HIIT-style elements.
"This is your sign to stay home and rot," she captioned footage of her in an ambulance with a sick bag, which has garnered 3.4 million views and 254,400 likes on TikTok. She added the hashtag: "Don't try this at home," in the caption.
"Having taken various types of Pilates—including classical mat, reformer, and others—I can confidently say that this was not a true Joseph Pilates class," she told Newsweek.
She hadn't eaten before the class but had done fasted workouts before, so she thought she would be OK.
After the 55-minute session, Fernandez knew she was going to be sick and ran to the bathroom. Twenty minutes passed, and she could not stop throwing up. Soon, she was passing out, and staff members called 911.
"It was a disorienting experience. I felt very lightheaded and out of control as I began to pass out, which was quite frightening since I had never experienced anything like it before," she explained.
Fernandez passed out four times before getting into the ambulance and twice more at the hospital, where they gave her fluids and Zofran.
"The doctor explained that the combination of the intense HIIT component and my body's reaction to the workout likely contributed to my passing out, " she said. "I was advised to monitor my exercise intensity, ensure proper hydration, and allow ample time for rest and recovery."
Chief Medical Officer and Interventional Cardiologist at VitalSolution Cardiology Dr. Bradley Serwer told Newsweek: "Lola is not alone. Syncope, or passing out is very common. There are many reasons why people pass out," he explained.
There are various reasons why a person might pass out, often linked to a temporary lack of blood flow to the brain caused by a drop in blood pressure. Common triggers include dehydration from illness, vasovagal syncope—a reflex response to nausea or pain—abnormal heart rhythms, and heart valve conditions such as aortic stenosis.
Regarding high-intensity workouts, Dr. Serwer emphasizes that while exercise offers significant benefits, individuals should be in good overall health before participating, especially if they have been vomiting.
He advises staying well-hydrated, stopping activity and elevating the legs if feeling lightheaded, and seeking medical attention if symptoms persist.
Most importantly, he stresses the need for a thorough medical evaluation before starting any rigorous fitness program and urges anyone who experiences fainting to consult a physician to rule out serious health conditions.
He advised others whose bodies are sensitive to high-intensity workouts to avoid such classes and recommended swimming.
TikTokers shared similar experiences in comments on Fernandez's video.
"Had rhabdo... TERRIFIED to get it again... hope you're feeling better!!," said one woman.
"Rhabdomyolysis put me in the hospital for a week at the beginning of this month. Be careful, girl," said Dominic.
Rhabdomyolysis is a serious condition that can result from overexertion, trauma, medications or an underlying health condition. Common signs and symptoms include muscle pain, weakness, swelling and dark-colored urine.
"The only reformer Pilates class I went to, I nearly overheated and felt so dizzy and nauseous. Had to spend half of it by a window," said another user.
"The first time I did a barre class, I threw up lol," said Lissa.
"Thanks for deinfluencing me," said Sav.
Newsweek reached out to the gym Fernandez attended for comment via email. We could not verify the details of the case.
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