A boy plays football at the public area of a residential compound in Xicheng District of Beijing, capital of China, March 17, 2020. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)
YINCHUAN, China, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Even though gyms are currently closed due to the coronavirus outbreak, Zhao Wanting still undergoes regular strength training with dumbbells and foam rollers and strictly follows her fitness regime under the online instruction of her coach.
As an executive of a media company in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, 40-year-old Zhao pays great attention to her personal health and body shape. Three years ago, she hired a personal trainer to instruct her. "Now many people think I am no more than 30 because of my slim figure and shiny skin," she beams.
Bai Jinqin, a 74-year-old bodybuilding adept, exercises at a gym in north China's Tianjin, March 13, 2019. Bai has kept exercising for 14 years. After finishing her housework, Bai likes to spend one hour every day at the gym to build her body. The hobby has rewarded her with good physique and energy. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)
As the living standard in China continues to improve, workout has become an increasingly important part of life for many Chinese people. In 2016, China upgraded its "Fitness for All" program, stepping up efforts to raise people's awareness of scientific guidance in exercise.
Like many fitness enthusiasts, Zhao used to think exercise meant sweating before she realized the importance of professional instruction. "Scientific guidance can reduce the risk of getting injured and improve the effects of exercising," she says.
"Professional fitness requires knowledge of anatomy, nutriology and so on. I spend a lot of money on education each year," says Wang Guangdong, a coach with a fitness club in Yinchuan, Ningxia's capital. "Customer demand is higher than before, and coaches who are not professional enough will be weeded out," he adds.
In addition to personal training, fitness apps have boomed in recent years, as they can provide basic instruction for fitness enthusiasts with lower cost and no time limit.
Ni Mincheng trains in his gym in Jinhua City, east China's Zhejiang Province, July 2, 2018. Ni lost his hands when he was a child, then he became an athlete. Now he is running his own gym. (Xinhua/Ge Yuejin)
Zhang Xiaofan, 25, is a lawyer in Xi'an. No matter how late she returns home, she exercises every day under the guidance of an app called Keep. "I have mastered many training methods from the app. I've recently been doing abdominal muscle training every day, and observing a get-lean diet by myself. Now you can see my V-line abs!" she says proudly.
Zhang also pays more attention to sports equipment than before. She used to wear ordinary clothes when exercising, but now she has bought a sports bra, tracksuit and comfortable sneakers, as well as a skipping rope and foam rollers. "Good equipment can give you a better experience and results," she says.
As an industry insider, Guo Zhaoxia, a sales director of a sports goods company in Ningxia, feels that people's idea of exercise has changed a lot in recent years.
"People used to play basketball and badminton with the same shoes, but now they want more professional equipment. We have also introduced smart equipment with data analysis ability in recent years," he says.
At present, there are more than 16,000 qualified social sports instructors in Ningxia, which means two instructors for every 1,000 people. There are over 1,000 public fitness sites, and each facility has at least one social sports instructor to provide guidance for people.
"Our customers are more and more professional in their approach to fitness, which pushes our salesclerks to improve their professional skills," says Guo. ■
