• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Generation Iron

Generation Iron Fitness & Strength Sports Network

  • Movies
  • Original Content
  • Reviews
    • Supplements
      • Pre-Workout
      • Fat Burners
      • Testosterone Boosters
      • Creatine
      • Protein
      • BCAAs
      • Multivitamins
      • Omega-3
      • Joint Supplements
      • Super Greens
      • Meal Replacement
    • Recovery
      • Best Cold Plunges
      • Best Saunas
      • Best Foam Rollers
      • Best Massage Guns
    • Programs
      • Best Online Workout Programs
      • Best Workout Streaming Services
      • Best Home Workout Programs
  • Equipment
    • Cardio
      • Treadmills
      • Best Exercise Bikes
      • Best Stair Climbers
    • Fitness Accessories
      • Best Apparel
      • Best Gym Bags
      • Weightlifting Shoes
    • Strength
      • Best Dumbbells
      • Best Barbells
      • Best Kettlebells
      • Best Squat Racks
      • Best Weightlifting Belts
      • Best Home Gym Equipment
      • Complete Home Gyms
    • Training
      • Best Knee Sleeves
      • Best Wrist Wraps
      • Best Weightlifting Wraps
      • Best Weightlifting Gloves
  • More
    • About Us
      • Our Team
      • Our Experts
    • Advertise
    • Franchise With Us
    • Exercise Guides
    • Athlete Profiles
    • Podcasts
    • Power 30
    • Bodybuilding Awards
    • Supplement Awards
  • Shop
Originals All GI Exclusives

Toney Freeman Shares The Most Dramatic Health Scares Of His Bodybuilding Career

by Derek Dufour Published on Nov 16, 2020

This post may contain affiliate links (disclosure policy).

Toney Freeman details the trial and error “experiments” that led to some pretty serious health scares.

Toney Freeman makes it clear right off the bat – there’s a big difference between bodybuilding and competing. Yes, bodybuilding is the name of the sport. But it’s to an extreme level different than most average people who are looking to improve their physique. Pro bodybuilders push their body’s to the extreme in search of greatness. This can also lead to health risks. In our latest GI exclusive interview, Toney Freeman details the most dramatic health scares he had throughout his bodybuilding career.

When pro bodybuilders reach a top tier of competition, they need to do anything and everything to get an edge up. Competitive bodybuilding is not just eating and training. It’s also supplementing and fine tuning every single aspect of what goes into your body. There are tactics and techniques in the weeks leading up to a competition that can make or break a physique.

Of course, each body is different. What works for one pro might not work with another. This is where the risk comes in. In an attempt to quickly put on mass or perhaps quickly drop weight and look shredded – risks are taken. Toney Freeman is familiar with this. He also warns against being “experimented on” by gurus and coaches.

Freeman is not saying that all gurus and coaches are bad. But he does warn to not blindly follow what they suggest. A bodybuilding coach will give you a protocol to follow promising it will lead to results. That’s not always the case. Sometimes you can feel with your body something is wrong. If you don’t go with that feeling – you can run into health scares.

During our conversation with Toney Freeman, we asked him about the health scares he experienced during his career. While he doesn’t list all of them, he admits he had many. He also goes into detail about the two most dramatic health scares he faced during his career.

Not surprisingly, both involved diuretics. We’ve discussed with other athletes and experts in the past about the heavy risks in taking diuretics. Toney Freeman agrees especially after his experiences. He’s had moments where he could barely stand on stage after dropping 17 pounds in one hour. He also had a health scare where he couldn’t see upon waking up nor hold down any food.

These are health issues not to take lightly. While Toney Freeman recovered without serious issue – there are others who might not. Unfortunately, nearly all sports require athletes to push to the extreme. This will always involve risk. Being a top pro athlete requires being a little bit of insanity – so to speak.

What is most important is to do your homework. You might take risks, but make sure to take calculated risks rather than blind ones. In any sport, many serious problems could have been avoided if more research was done beforehand. Toney Freeman hopes for his stories to help open young bodybuilders’ eyes about the importance in that.

You can watch Toney Freeman’s comments in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above.

About Derek Dufour

Derek Dufour has been managing all digital operations on the Generation Iron Network for over six years. He currently manages a team of editors, writers, and designers to provide up-to-date content across the GI Network.

View All Articles

Primary Sidebar

Get the Latest

Stay informed with the latest news, product reviews, & expert advice.

Popular Reviews

  • best protein powders

    The Best Protein Powder Supplements of 2025 (Tried and Tested)

  • Best Creatine Supplements For Bulking & Muscle Growth of 2025 (Personally Tested)

  • top x pre workout

    The 14 Best Pre-Workout Supplements of 2025 (MD Reviewed)

  • Performance Lab SPORT BCAA

    The Best BCAA For Bodybuilding Health & Performance Goals

Trending Articles

  • female fitness models

    18 Best Butts On The Internet (Updated 2024)

  • ronnie coleman the king workout

    Ronnie “The King” Coleman’s Complete Bodybuilding Workout

  • Chris bumstead's 2024 workout and diet plan

    Chris Bumstead’s 2025 Complete Bodybuilding Workout & Diet Plan

  • The Ultimate Mike Mentzer Workout and Diet

Popular Now

  • best protein powders

    The Best Protein Powder Supplements of 2025 (Tried and Tested)

  • Best Creatine Supplements For Bulking & Muscle Growth of 2025 (Personally Tested)

  • top x pre workout

    The 14 Best Pre-Workout Supplements of 2025 (MD Reviewed)

  • female fitness models

    18 Best Butts On The Internet (Updated 2024)

  • best citrulline supplements

    The Best Citrulline Malate Supplements for Performance and Pump

  • ronnie coleman the king workout

    Ronnie “The King” Coleman’s Complete Bodybuilding Workout

Generation Iron

Generation Iron is the first and only digital network delivering health, fitness, bodybuilding, and strength sports content. We deliver premium content with the biggest names in fitness and provide expert coverage, reviews on top brands, workout tips and trends in the worlds of fitness, health and strength sports.

Strongman Corporation
Vladar

Sections

  • Trending News
  • Original Movies
  • Original Content
  • Supplement Reviews
  • Equipment Reviews
  • Exercise Guides
  • Nutrition Guides
  • Athlete Profiles

More

  • About Us
  • Our Team
  • Our Experts
  • Advertise
  • Franchise With Us
  • Podcasts
  • Power 30
  • Shop

CONTACT

Generation Iron Brands LLC
134 West 29th Street Suite 902
New York, NY 10001
Email: [email protected]

Follow

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • X / Twitter
  • YouTube

© 2025 · Generation Iron · Disclaimers · Privacy Policy · Accessibility