When workouts go too far: ‘Halfway through, I was puking and delirious’
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Extreme fitness challenges push the body to its limits, often celebrated as tests of endurance and mental grit.
But what happens when those limits are pushed too far?
One high-intensity workout, widely embraced by fitness enthusiasts, has recently come under scrutiny after multiple participants suffered severe health complications.
Extreme fitness challenges push the body to its limits, often celebrated as tests of endurance and mental grit.
But what happens when those limits are pushed too far?
One such challenge left a former World’s Strongest Man competitor in a medical crisis, sparking warnings from doctors about the hidden dangers of extreme exercise.
Michael Congdon, 32, took on the Murph Challenge in May last year, expecting it to be ‘less extreme’ than his usual powerlifting workouts.
The challenge required him to complete two one-mile runs, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, and 300 air squats.
Despite his background in strength sports, the 250-pound athlete quickly found himself ‘in tears and straight agony,’ struggling to continue.
Two days later, his arm muscles swelled dramatically, resembling ‘a balloon animal.’
Doctors diagnosed him with rhabdomyolysis—a dangerous condition where muscle fibres break down and release toxic proteins into the bloodstream.
Blood tests revealed his creatine kinase levels were ‘unreadable,’ reaching nearly 50 times the normal limit, which put him at risk of kidney failure.
‘Pushing myself to the max and almost dying was the final straw,’ he admitted, explaining that the experience made him abandon extreme workouts.
Watch the video below.
Jessica Johnson, 25, suffered a similar ordeal after completing 50 pull-ups while training for the challenge.
Her arms became so swollen she struggled to brush her teeth or shower, and doctors feared they might have to cut them open to relieve the pressure.
She spent four days in hospital on IV fluids after potassium flooded her bloodstream, damaging her liver and kidneys.
Doctors warned that rhabdomyolysis is a ‘medical emergency,’ and symptoms like muscle pain, swelling, and dark urine require immediate medical attention.
Dr Raeeda Gheewala, a sports nephrologist, said, ‘The Murph challenge is a high-intensity workout that requires aggressive preparation and guidance through a qualified healthcare professional.’
She explained that untreated rhabdomyolysis could lead to kidney failure and other life-threatening complications.
Dr Milica McDowell, an exercise physiologist, cautioned that the challenge was an ‘intense ask’ and should be modified to suit individual fitness levels.
She recommended scaling back the workout by walking instead of running, performing push-ups on the knees, or halving the reps.
Rhabdomyolysis affects approximately 26,000 Americans per year, with around one in 20 cases proving fatal.
Common causes include traumatic injuries, intense exercise, dehydration, prolonged immobility, and substance use disorders.
Congdon admitted he was unprepared for the challenge, having only completed a few CrossFit workouts before attempting it.
‘Halfway through, I was puking and delirious,’ he recalled, adding that his arms became so inflamed they refused to bend.
His fiancée rushed him to hospital, where he spent days receiving emergency treatment.
‘That moment alone terrified me so much that I rescinded any need to find any of my physical limits ever again,’ he said.
Johnson’s doctors confirmed her injury was caused by the pull-ups, despite her staying hydrated throughout her workout.
She initially dismissed her symptoms, with friends assuming she was simply ‘super jacked or something.’
However, when her condition worsened, she sought medical help and was immediately sent to the emergency room.
Doctors acted quickly to prevent permanent muscle damage, and she was released after four days of treatment.
Since his recovery, Congdon has stepped away from high-intensity training, focusing instead on less extreme activities like fishing.
Experts stressed that while fitness challenges can be rewarding, pushing beyond personal limits can have devastating consequences.
To understand more about this dangerous condition and how it affects the body, watch the video below.
With extreme fitness challenges gaining popularity, is the risk worth the reward? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
But what happens when those limits are pushed too far?
One high-intensity workout, widely embraced by fitness enthusiasts, has recently come under scrutiny after multiple participants suffered severe health complications.
Extreme fitness challenges push the body to its limits, often celebrated as tests of endurance and mental grit.
But what happens when those limits are pushed too far?
One such challenge left a former World’s Strongest Man competitor in a medical crisis, sparking warnings from doctors about the hidden dangers of extreme exercise.
When extreme workouts turn into medical emergencies. Image source: Instagram/michael_congdon_the_slice
Michael Congdon, 32, took on the Murph Challenge in May last year, expecting it to be ‘less extreme’ than his usual powerlifting workouts.
The challenge required him to complete two one-mile runs, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, and 300 air squats.
Despite his background in strength sports, the 250-pound athlete quickly found himself ‘in tears and straight agony,’ struggling to continue.
Two days later, his arm muscles swelled dramatically, resembling ‘a balloon animal.’
Doctors diagnosed him with rhabdomyolysis—a dangerous condition where muscle fibres break down and release toxic proteins into the bloodstream.
Blood tests revealed his creatine kinase levels were ‘unreadable,’ reaching nearly 50 times the normal limit, which put him at risk of kidney failure.
‘Pushing myself to the max and almost dying was the final straw,’ he admitted, explaining that the experience made him abandon extreme workouts.
Watch the video below.
Jessica Johnson, 25, suffered a similar ordeal after completing 50 pull-ups while training for the challenge.
Her arms became so swollen she struggled to brush her teeth or shower, and doctors feared they might have to cut them open to relieve the pressure.
She spent four days in hospital on IV fluids after potassium flooded her bloodstream, damaging her liver and kidneys.
Doctors warned that rhabdomyolysis is a ‘medical emergency,’ and symptoms like muscle pain, swelling, and dark urine require immediate medical attention.
Dr Raeeda Gheewala, a sports nephrologist, said, ‘The Murph challenge is a high-intensity workout that requires aggressive preparation and guidance through a qualified healthcare professional.’
She explained that untreated rhabdomyolysis could lead to kidney failure and other life-threatening complications.
Dr Milica McDowell, an exercise physiologist, cautioned that the challenge was an ‘intense ask’ and should be modified to suit individual fitness levels.
She recommended scaling back the workout by walking instead of running, performing push-ups on the knees, or halving the reps.
Rhabdomyolysis affects approximately 26,000 Americans per year, with around one in 20 cases proving fatal.
Common causes include traumatic injuries, intense exercise, dehydration, prolonged immobility, and substance use disorders.
Congdon admitted he was unprepared for the challenge, having only completed a few CrossFit workouts before attempting it.
‘Halfway through, I was puking and delirious,’ he recalled, adding that his arms became so inflamed they refused to bend.
His fiancée rushed him to hospital, where he spent days receiving emergency treatment.
‘That moment alone terrified me so much that I rescinded any need to find any of my physical limits ever again,’ he said.
Johnson’s doctors confirmed her injury was caused by the pull-ups, despite her staying hydrated throughout her workout.
She initially dismissed her symptoms, with friends assuming she was simply ‘super jacked or something.’
However, when her condition worsened, she sought medical help and was immediately sent to the emergency room.
Doctors acted quickly to prevent permanent muscle damage, and she was released after four days of treatment.
Since his recovery, Congdon has stepped away from high-intensity training, focusing instead on less extreme activities like fishing.
Experts stressed that while fitness challenges can be rewarding, pushing beyond personal limits can have devastating consequences.
To understand more about this dangerous condition and how it affects the body, watch the video below.
With extreme fitness challenges gaining popularity, is the risk worth the reward? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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