In rare cases, excessive and/or exuberant exercise can result in exertional rhabdomyolysis where muscular damage results in potential long-term disability. The purpose of this review is to identify what can lead to exertional rhabdomyolysis, provide several legal cases where the duty of care of an exercise specialist is examined, and question the assumption of risk for exercise participants. Exercise specialists should understand the importance of carefully applying the principles of progressive overload and eccentric training to avoid putting the participant at risk for exertional rhabdomyolysis. It is also important that the exercise specialist and the exercise participant understand the legal implications of reasonable foreseeability when it comes to the potential for complications from exercise-induced rhabdomyolysis.