More Chinese go gym for fitness

Men's preference

"While women tend to buy the cheaper memberships and do only yoga and aerobics, men seem to be more inclined to spend money on equipment-assisted workout courses and even private coaching sessions - and they buy fitness products such as protein powders and L-carnitine more," said Sun.

Hua Yangyang, a 27-year-old communications specialist, said he spends at least eight hours in the gym every week.

"I lost some 10 kilograms in 16 months. It's something that's not worth boasting about compared with many other successful weight losers but I do feel better and more confident when I have less fat and more muscles," said Hua.

Hua said he spends about 300 yuan every month on fitness products including L-carnitine weight-loss pills, protein powder and meal-replacement diets, which help him to accelerate his metabolism, build up muscles and reduce his appetite.

Hua said gyms have become social networks and people talk about the brands of products they use, help one another on equipment drills and form competitive pairs to see who can achieve better results within a limited time.

Books, video programs and online coaching services for diets have also experienced an expanding market in China, with many specifically targeting men who want to lose weight.

"The best-selling ones are about how to build up muscles and how to keep fit via exercises. Most of the books target male readers who attach importance to quality of life," said Xu Juan, a shop assistant at a bookstore in the Huangpu district of Shanghai.

A 200-page imported book on diet aimed at men costs 187 yuan but buyers said it worth the money.

"If it helps me to lose 5 kg, then the cost-efficiency has exceeded that of those slimming creams my wife uses," said Zhu Jinzhe, a reader who bought five books on male slimming one afternoon in February.

David Kirchhoff, president and chief executive of Weight Watchers International Inc, a company that helps customers to track their food intake through a points-based system and which holds regular meetings, said the company is considering expanding in China, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal.

Despite the fact that online diet coaching services cost about 200 yuan a month, Zhong Fei, a 36-year-old financial services professional, bought the service without any hesitation when a friend recommended it.

"I am also thinking of keeping a dog to lose more calories when I walk it," said Zhong.

Some slimmers believe that losing weight has nothing to do with eating.

"I think all you need for weight-loss or slimming is a pair of good trainers so you can walk for an hour after dinner. I lost 15kg within nine months doing that," said Guo Shugang, a 65-year-old retired engineer from Shanghai's Zhabei district.

"Just keep walking and there will be no fuss over the side-effects of pills or losing the fun of eating," said Guo.

The benefits are no medical bills for obesity-related diseases and the wife's praise, said Guo.

wuyiyao@chinadaily.com.cn