Solving the mystery: Did Mike Mentzer’s training style cause his premature death?

One of the unsolved questions that gets tossed around a lot in the world of fitness is about Mike Mentzer’s death. Many people wonder if his workout style “High-intensity training” caused him to die at a very young age. Even though there is no way we could find a direct link between his training style and early passing, there are still some things we could talk about to at least come close to solving this mystery.

Don’t forget the role of genetics

When people talk about how Mike Mentzer died at 49, many of them tend to just look at his hard training routine and refuse to address the elephant in the room! The unspoken fact that Mike was already a genetic outlier in the bodybuilding world. Mentzer was naturally gifted with an incredible physique which made him stand out even more when he adopted such an extreme style.

But there is another side to this story! Our genetics can also play a huge role in the way our body responds to stress, and by that we also mean the stress caused by working out. Mentzer’s body was sensitive to this kind of stress, responding in an extreme type of way. That’s why the High-Intensity Training could stress his whole body beyond its limits.

Medical history

On the other hand, Mentzer’s personal medical history could have played a role in his early death. It’s been said that Mike had a predisposition to certain health issues such as heart disease.

But, let’s not forget about the fact that working out especially with intense styles like HIT, can put an incredible amount of pressure on the cardiovascular system. In fact, HIT increases the risk of heart issues if done excessively and without enough rest and care. When the body is pushed into such a high-stress state non-stop, the heart can become overworked, leading to conditions like hypertrophy (where the heart muscle thickens) and even arrhythmia.

Menzer himself had admitted to pushing his body hard and training beyond what many people call “reasonable”. So, even though we all know that Mentzer’s cause of death was complications related to a heart attack and he already suffered from heart-related problems in his family, we can’t stop ourselves from asking the question whether his intense workout routine had an effect on his early death.

Overtraining, Mentzer’s best and worst decision

We know that HIT is all about pushing your body to absolute failure. Yes, this can be an amazing idea to stimulate muscle growth. But let’s not forget that, if you get carried away with this style, you can put yourself at the risk of overtraining, just like Mentzer did. Overtraining isn’t simply about feeling a wee bit sore, it’s about imposing an unimaginable amount of stress on your body, the type of stress which can ruin your heart, mind and immune system.

Steroid use

Another important factor that might have played a role in Mentzer’s death is his use of steroids. Back in the 70s and 80s, steroids were widely used in the fitness and bodybuilding world and while Mike did not publicly talk about using steroids, there is still a theory going around about him being involved with performance-enhancing drugs.

Steroids, while effective in some cases, have a major impact on the heart. Using steroids, specially excessively, can cause higher blood pressure and even increase the chances of having a heart attach or stroke. Now, let’s combine that with his intense workout sessions and already existing heart problems; that’s where you get real trouble!

Was Mentzer’s death a result of poor decisions?

While, Mentzer’s poor decisions might have played an important role in his early passing, they’re not the only reason. Mike was a bit of a protectionist, constantly looking for more and pushing his limits. Yes, his workout style has probably played a role in his death but it’s more likely a combination of genetics, possible steroid use and an overly intense approach to fitness. Had Mike taken a more balanced approach, incorporating better recovery periods and moderating his intensity, it’s possible his life would’ve gone down a different path!

So, the real question is should you try HIT? And the answer is both yes and no! It’s all about keeping things in balance. Consult your trainer to see what’s fit for you and your body. Never forget to listen to your body. You can push yourself, but not to the point where you have to compromise on your health. And lastly, remember to give yourself plenty of time for recovery.