A 20-year-old young man residing in Russia was rushed to the hospital after facing a life-threatening condition due to extreme exercise at the gym, prompting doctors to issue a warning against excessive fitness challenges. The identity of the young man, who had decided to achieve a significant fitness goal by performing 2,000 squat exercises in one go, has not been revealed yet. However, it was reported that swelling rapidly started in his legs during the exercise, and he began to experience unbearable pain. When the symptoms worsened rapidly, the young man was taken to the emergency room, where tests revealed that he had developed a rare muscle disease called “rhabdomyolysis.” Rhabdomyolysis is a rare condition that causes rapid breakdown of muscles and can be fatal if left untreated. This disease can lead to acute kidney failure by damaging the kidneys with a protein called myoglobin released as a result of muscle breakdown. It is noted that only 50% of the young man’s kidneys are functioning while being treated in the hospital. Harmful substances released in the body due to rhabdomyolysis can reach the kidneys through the bloodstream, leading to kidney failure. Doctors mentioned that intense treatment processes had started for the young man’s recovery and he would need rehabilitation for approximately a year. Health officials warn athletes and fitness enthusiasts to avoid excessive exercise. This incident highlights the increasing number of similar cases worldwide in recent times. Last month, a TikTok user in America, Savanna Stebbins, was hospitalized due to rhabdomyolysis after an intense spinning class. Stressing that the disease is “not as rare as it seems,” Stebbins warned her followers to be cautious. Rhabdomyolysis occurs as a result of the breakdown of muscle fibers due to excessive strain on muscles. Along with the damage to muscles, toxic compounds mix into the bloodstream and harm organs. Symptoms of this condition include muscle weakness, pain, stiffness, and darkening of urine. In the United States, approximately 26,000 people are affected by rhabdomyolysis annually, and the number of cases leading to fatal outcomes is quite high. In particular, long-distance runners and individuals engaging in high-intensity exercises such as spinning classes are at risk of developing this disease. These incidents draw attention to the potential dangers of excessive exercise, and doctors warn athletes and fitness enthusiasts to be more cautious.