Getting richer, getting fitter

A woman works out under the guidance of a fitness coach in Shenzhen. [Photo/Xinhua]

Cautious approach

Lin Shuo, 28, from Shantou, Guangdong Province, has become famous online by riding the fitness wave. The professional athlete-turned-fitness guru started blogging on Weibo and WeChat in 2014, sharing his expertise and gym experience.

"I never expected that my blogs would become an instant success," said Lin, who has 640,000 followers and resigned his post at a private company to launch a WeChat account called Body Philosophy. "Articles about how to chisel away body fat through exercise always receive thousands of hits."

However, some experts are urging caution when following online workouts. "Videos and photos can show you how to move, but they cannot tell how to breathe or how strenuous your exercise should be," said Shao Xiaofeng, a senior fitness instructor at a gym in Beijing. "Everybody is different, so fitness needs face-to-face instruction."

According to Shao, exercise can be a social activity for white-collar workers who live alone in big cities. "Some people find romantic or business partners. They can't do that looking at their mobile phone at home."

Three years ago, he led 24 gym classes a month, but now the number is 50. His income has doubled, but he has to compete against cheaper, unqualified services.

To remain competitive, Shao attends fitness conferences, strives for higher accreditation, and studies medicine, nutrition anatomy and psychology. He considered setting up his own gym in Beijing, but was dissuaded by the high rents: "Gyms in big cities are usually set up underground because of the low rents."

Most Chinese gyms offer long-term membership, usually for six months or a year, but the fees can run to thousands of yuan - far beyond the means of many people.

However, Shao remains optimistic. "It is a budding industry. The competition will become more professional, and consumers more sensible," he said.

After all, as a popular Chinese saying has it: "Breaking a sweat deserves a feast."


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