Prominent fitness YouTuber Jeff Nippard was assaulted by fellow bodybuilder Mike Van Wyck after a gym argument caught on tape.
The video, which has immediately gone viral on social media, shows Van Wyck grabbing Jeff Nippard by the throat and pushing him across the gym. The incident has caused extensive debate in the fitness world, with many asking what triggered the violent altercation.
The altercation appears to be related to a recent reaction video that Jeff Nippard shared on Instagram in which he addressed a contentious remark made by Mike Van Wyck. Van Wyck questioned the validity of “science-based lifters” in his initial essay, posing the question, “Why are science-based lifters so mediocre?”
Nippard, who is renowned for his scientific approach to fitness, seems to take offense at fitness gurus who value science and evidence-based training methods over more conventional, instinctive methods.
What started the incident
A couple of days before the incident Jeff Nippard responded to Van Wyck’s comment with a video you can see below. In his response video, Nippard defended his credentials as an athlete and coach as well as the benefits of science-based lifting.
He clarified that the fact that he is not a Mr. Olympia contender does not imply that the information he provides is unreliable or unrelated.
With a degree in biochemistry, Nippard stressed that scientific ideas are evidence-based and universally applicable, regardless of whether someone is a professional or an amateur fitness athlete, or even someone who just goes to the gym to build some strength and muscle.
Many of Nippard’s supporters agreed with his message, and the film was positively welcomed by them. But it appears that Nippard’s remark did not sit well with Van Wyck. Below is a video of Jeff Nippard’s reaction:
Thankfully, except for minor bruising and cuts around his neck, Jeff Nippard seems to have survived the ordeal fairly unharmed. Maybe Mike Van Wyck will eventually give us his side of the tale. Whether Jeff Nippard will file charges after the incident is still up in the air.
