NEW DELHI: China does not officially run a prison for overweight people. Yet a viral weight-loss facility, widely dubbed a “fat prison” on social media, has sparked global curiosity and concern for its extreme, regimented approach to fitness.
The facility is not a criminal detention centre but a private weight-loss camp where participants voluntarily enroll, paying nearly $1,000 (around Rs 91,000) for a month-long programme. Shorter two-week packages are also available. Once inside, however, life follows strict rules, intense workouts, and limited freedom of movement.
Videos of the centre gained traction after an Instagram influencer shared glimpses of her stay. One clip showed a mass spinning class that looked more like a rave—complete with loud music, flashing lights, and packed rows of cyclists pedalling in unison.
Inside the facility, participants live in shared rooms accommodating up to five people. The daily routine begins at 7:30 am with a mandatory weigh-in, followed by a morning aerobic session. After a 90-minute workout, breakfast is served—high in protein and vegetables, with carbohydrates largely eliminated.
Afternoons are equally demanding. From 2 pm to 4 pm, participants undergo weight training, followed by another meal. Evenings include a HIIT session and a one-hour spin class, with the day ending as it began—with another weigh-in.
Participants train for nearly four hours a day and rotate through 19 different exercises each week. Sundays are designated rest days, though a mandatory evening spin class remains on the schedule. After 7:40 pm, residents are allowed limited free time.
Meals are strictly portioned and served on stainless steel trays. One viral video showed breakfast consisting of a single slice of bread, a small portion of tomato and cucumber, and four hard-boiled eggs. Lunch, considered the most substantial meal, may include roasted duck, lotus root, stir-fried vegetables, and a banana for dessert.
The facility is surrounded by high walls, locked gates, and perimeter fencing. Participants are not allowed to leave freely during the programme unless granted permission for valid reasons.
One influencer claimed she lost four kilograms in just 14 days, reigniting debate around extreme fitness regimes, body discipline, and the growing commercialisation of weight loss.
