What in the World China’s extreme weight loss camps
Mar 10, 2026
Wanqing Zhang, BBC reporter covering China trends; Luke Hanna, personal trainer and nutritionist; TL Huang, Australian creator who spent a month in a military-style camp. They describe strict daily routines and intense weigh-ins. They discuss emotional coping and community in confined settings. They explore the camps’ rise across China and the social and lifestyle forces behind growing obesity.
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Solo Traveller's 28 Day Fat Prison Reset
- TL Huang voluntarily joined a 28-day military-style weight loss camp while traveling in China to reset habits after gaining 20 kilos.
- Her daily routine included twice-daily weigh-ins, multiple exercise classes, strict supervision, no leaving the compound, and communal dorm life that felt like a support system.
Avoid Rapid One Kilo Per Day Targets
- Luke Hanna warns against extreme weight-loss targets like one kilo per day because they risk muscle loss, impaired development, and medical harm.
- He recommends gradual habit changes, adequate protein, fruits and vegetables, and promoting movement for enjoyment rather than punishment.
Stop Using Exercise As Punishment
- Luke Hanna cautions against framing exercise as punishment, noting camps sometimes add hours of exercise as punishment which harms long-term relationship with movement.
- He advises encouraging movement for skill, play and enjoyment to build sustainable habits.