A gym in Binzhou, located in China’s Shandong province, has launched one of the most extreme weight loss challenges ever seen. The gym is offering a 2020 Porsche Panamera to anyone who can drop 110 pounds in just three months. The catch? Participants need to pay $1,400 upfront to enter the competition. That registration fee includes meals and accommodation in a fully enclosed training facility. If that sounds like a good deal, you may want to read on.
The Panamera in question is owned by the gym’s boss, and while it’s used, similar vehicles can fetch over $45,000 in the United States. When new, Porsche Panameras started around $180,000 in China, quite a bit more than the equivalent model in the United States, where pricing started just above $110,000. Sure, it may not be the fastest 4-door Porsche around, but who can say a free Porsche isn’t worth a bit of sweat?
The owner of the gym, Coach Wang, confirmed that the offer is legitimate and already underway, with seven or eight people having signed up so far. Registration will close once 30 participants join. But here’s where things get concerning. Losing 110 pounds in 90 days means shedding more than a pound every single day.
Health experts are warning about the potential dangers of such rapid weight loss. Medical professionals warn that losing weight this quickly can lead to muscle loss, hormonal imbalances, hair loss, and can strain vital organs to potentially life-threatening levels. Generally, a much more gradual approach of one to two pounds per week is what’s recommended for safe weight loss.
Gradual weight loss and a good diet allow the brain, body fat, muscles, and organs time to adapt. Despite the medical concerns, the promotion has gone viral on Chinese social media, with the story also attracting international attention. In the meantime, the Porsche sits parked outside the gym, waiting for someone brave or desperate enough to claim it.
