Popular fitness influencer Jeff Nippard has allegedly been attacked by another big-named bodybuilder while working out in the gym, with a viral video appearing to show him being shoved to the ground.
Nippard, a natural bodybuilder renowned for his science-based approach to the sport, has been caught on video in what appears to be a confrontation with ‘Big’ Mike Van Wyck.
In the clip, Van Wyck appears to approach Nippard in a gym, grab him by the throat and shove him to the ground.
Nippard, who has over 3.5 million subscribers on YouTube, took to Instagram afterwards to update followers on the conflict with Van Wyck.
The Canadian posted a photo of himself getting a scan in hospital and claimed that the alleged assault continued after the clip ended.
‘If you’ve seen the video by now, I want to clarify the incident,’ Nippard wrote.
‘First, I just want to give an update that I got a CT scan done and I’m okay.
‘In case you didn’t see it, this is exactly what happened and there were many witnesses.
Fitness influencer Jeff Nippard (right) has allegedly been attacked by bodybuilder Mike Van Wyck (left) while working out at a gym
Jeff Nippard (pictured) claims Van Wyck ‘jabbed’ him twice in the throat and shoved his cameraman
‘Mike Van Wyck jabbed me in the throat twice in the middle of the gym and then shoved my camera man.
‘There is already a lie going around that Mike asked me to stay away from him, and that I didn’t listen, and approached him first. This is FALSE and @puremuscleandfitness has security footage to prove it. I think they should release it.’
Nippard went on to thank the fitness community for the outpouring of support he has received.
‘I don’t know why he attacked me other than that he really, really hates my training style,’ he wrote.
‘I certainly gave him absolutely no reason to hate me. And even if I did, there’s no excuse to physically attack someone over a disagreement.
Nippard, who got checked out at the hospital after the alleged attack (pictured), says he’s given Van Wyck no reason to hate him
The feud may have stemmed from a video clip Van Wyck (pictured) recently posted questioning the legitimacy of science-based lifters, to which Nippard responded to
‘My opinion is that it was the result of anger brought on by the clip I posted yesterday responding to his question about science-based training. Pretty wild stuff.’
The feud may have stemmed from a video clip Van Wyck recently posted questioning the legitimacy of science-based lifters like Nippard.
Nippard responded to the swipe, pointing out the value of his approach and his credentials.
