A 20-year-old youngster living in Russia was rushed to the hospital due to a life-threatening situation arising from excessive exercise at the gym, prompting doctors to warn against extreme fitness challenges. The young man, whose identity has not been disclosed, had decided to accomplish a major fitness goal by doing 2 thousand squat exercises in one session. However, it was reported that his legs started swelling rapidly and he began to experience unbearable pain during the workout. As the symptoms worsened rapidly, the young man was taken to the emergency room, where tests revealed that he had developed a 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.The young man admitted to the hospital is said to have only 50% kidney function remaining. Harmful substances released in the body due to rhabdomyolysis can reach the kidneys through the bloodstream, leading to kidney failure.Doctors have started intensive treatment processes for the recovery of the patient, who is expected to need rehabilitation for approximately a year. Health officials warn athletes and fitness enthusiasts to avoid excessive exercises.This incident highlights the increase of similar cases worldwide in recent times. Last month in the United States, a TikTok user named Savanna Stebbins was hospitalized due to rhabdomyolysis after an intense spinning class. Stebbins emphasized that the disease is “not as rare as it seems” and warned her followers to be cautious.Rhabdomyolysis occurs as a result of the breakdown of muscle fibers due to excessive strain on muscles. 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 diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis each year, with a high number of cases leading to fatal outcomes. Particularly, individuals engaging in high-intensity exercises such as long-distance runners and spinning classes are at risk of developing this disease.These incidents shed light on the potential dangers of excessive exercise, and doctors warn athletes and fitness enthusiasts to be more cautious.