Tulsans Encouraged To Know Limits When Working Out

Editors Note: The competition where Kevin Ogar was injured was not a CrossFit sanctioned event. Ogar is a CrossFit competitor who owns a CrossFit gym in Colorado. He was training for the CrossFit games while participating in the OC Throwdown when he was injured.

A terrible accident has some questioning the safety of CrossFit. A man severely injured his spinal cord during a CrossFit competition earlier in January and now he's a paraplegic.

CrossFit is a strength and conditioning program that builds muscle strength, physical stamina, and flexibility.

Christina Merlo with CrossFit T-Town, said, "Every time you come to the gym you're surrounded by people that support you and you support them and working out becomes fun again.

Like all physical workouts it also comes with risks.

"We give everyone the tools to be safe. We make sure that that they know the movements and can complete the movements to the best of their abilities and safely," Merlo said.

On January 11, Kevin Ogar had his spinal cord severed when a barbell fell on his neck during a CrossFit competition in California.

Dr. Kris Parchuri, an orthopedic surgeon in Tulsa called Ogar's injury a, "freak accident," but said he is seeing more patients with CrossFit related injuries.

"Most of the injuries that occur with CrossFit are due to people using improper form and technique, trying to push themselves too hard, or doing too many reps, and not properly warming up," Parchuri said.

Parchuri said most of the injuries are either to the neck and shoulders or lower back, nearly all of those happen while lifting weights.

"When you have a lot of weight that you are lifting improperly above your head it can put your spine in a position where it can be severely injured," said Parchuri.

He said it's important to note that none of the injuries he's seen have required surgery.

CrossFit athletes have rallied around Kevin Ogar, holding fundraisers to help pay his medical bills.

You Can Donate To Ogar Here.

Trainers say it's important to go slow when you work out, whether it's CrossFit or something else.

"Just being conscious of what your body is telling you, knowing your needs, knowing your limitations is going to help you keep yourself from getting injured," said Merlo.