Something similar happened at the gym I went to years ago, although I wasn't there when it happened. The poor guy collapsed while lifting weights. WEIGHTS. I kept reluctantly going for a few days before stopping. Then on the radio I heard about a guy collapsing while running on the treadmill, just like your fellow gymgoer, and it was the last drop in the bucket that kept me from doing any exercise other than slow to moderately paced walks. The prospect of collapsing from something that should make me healthier terrifies me.
Itβs well known that exercise is beneficial for overall health. Sure, some people die doing it just like some people die doing literally anything else.
Consider he was in his late 30s, which makes this even more absurd. For all I know, as you suggest, he could've also collapsed from doing heavy house chores or renovation, and it's something I've been careful not to overdo as well for that same fear.