Chinese have been increasingly interested in health and fitness. (Photo : Reuters)
Fitness training has boomed and become fashionable in China, leading China's sports industry to start cashing in on the rising trend to workout at gyms.
Celebrities and ordinary citizens alike who have been generous in sharing the results of their fitness endeavors are seen contributory in the creation of the new trend.
Recently, television actress Yuan Shanshan posted online a photo of her showing off her smooth stomach, relating it as a result of her workout routine.
Analysts also claim that the country's winning of the rights to host the 2022 Winter Olympic Games has sparked people's interest to partake in physical exercises.
Adam Zhang, founder of the Keysolution sports consultancy, said, "the upcoming Games has certainly fueled a passion for sports and fitness programs just like the summer Olympic Games in 2008 did."
In a State Council forecast, the consumer sports industry is expected to be valued at 5 trillion yuan by 2025.
Jin Yuqing, CEO of Tera Wellness Management Company Ltd., shared how he is a witness to this growth in the said industry.
"Daily visits to our gyms are rising and revenue is up this year compared to the same period in 2014," Jin, whose fitness chain owns over 200 gyms in China and lists around a million members, shared.
Although China has only less than 6,000 gyms in total, the trend will help boost development in the industry, with analysts noting that the rising income levels among Chinese consumers could further trigger the jump.
Moreover, the domestic market is seeing an increase in its number of players. As more firms are expected to join the bandwagon, experts predict that the investments are also not that far from coming in.
"A young generation of fitness fans born after the 1990s are fueling the sharp rise. Total membership at our chain of gyms has increased 21 percent year-on-year," Jin added.
