• A gym launches challenge offering luxury car for losing 50kg in 3 months, with registration fee covering meals and shared accommodation
• Experts warn rapid weight loss is dangerous, recommending only 0.5kg per week as a healthy rate

A fitness club in northern China has launched a controversial challenge, offering a luxury car to anyone who can lose 50kg within three months.

Participants are required to pay a registration fee of around $1,400, which includes shared accommodation and meals.

The announcement, made on social media, quickly drew widespread attention online, and sparked strong warnings from health professionals over the risks of extreme weight loss in a short period.

A trainer named Wang confirmed the challenge is real and already underway, noting registration will close once 30 participants enroll. He added that the car being offered belongs to the gym owner and is a used vehicle, not a new one.

Dr. Zeng, a surgeon and popular medical commentator, cautioned against losing half a kilogram per day, calling it dangerously fast. He warned that such a pace can lead to muscle loss, hormonal imbalance, hair loss, and even menstrual disruption in women.

He emphasized that safe weight loss should be around 0.5kg per week.

The promotion has triggered heated debate among Chinese social media users, with some mocking the challenge as nearly impossible, while others praised it as a clever marketing strategy.