Credit: Weibo
A fitness centre in north-east China is offering a luxury Porsche to anyone who can lose 50 kilograms in three months.
The gym in Binzhou, Shandong province, announced the challenge on social media – prompting criticism over the potential impact on participants’ health.
A fitness coach at the gym, identified only as Mr Wang, told local media that the contest was open to up to 30 people, and that a registration fee of 10,000 yuan (£1,065) would be required.
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The price includes accommodation and meals during the challenge, although the specifics of the regimen and the rules have not been disclosed.
Mr Wang said nearly 10 people had signed up so far. He added: “This is a competition that challenges the limits. We provide professional training and dietary guidance to help participants lose weight safely.”
A promotional poster by the gym, featuring a photograph of a shiny white sports car, states that the winner who “successfully loses 100 pounds” would be “awarded a Porsche Panamera”.
However, Mr Wang admitted that the prize was not a new car, and was instead his own 2020 model, valued at an estimated £65,000, which he had been driving for several years.
Rapid weight loss warnings
China has been grappling with an obesity crisis in recent years, with some forecasts warning that more than 65 percent of adults could be overweight or obese by 2030.
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However, scientists and doctors caution against excessive weight loss in short periods of time, especially among people who are not obese.
Crash diets, in which people lose weight rapidly, can cause gallstones and hair loss, as well as low blood sugar and blood pressure. They can also slow down a person’s metabolism and increase the chance of quickly regaining weight once the diet ends.
Long-term, drastic weight loss can also increase the risk of heart problems and kidney failure.
Several health professionals in China have criticised the challenge, which would require participants to lose an average of more than 0.5kg per day.
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An online influencer known as Dr Zeng, who has nearly 3.5 million followers on Chinese social media, said: “Unless someone is severely overweight, this pace leads to muscle loss rather than fat reduction, which can cause hormonal imbalances, hair loss, and even amenorrhoea [menstrual cycle disruption] in women.
“A safer target is losing around 0.5kg per week”.
The Binzhou gym said the intensity of the challenge would be adjusted according to the physical condition of participants, and that professional coaches would be on hand to monitor their progress and ensure their safety.