60 People, 60 Stories

Getting the right fit

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-09-30 11:19

The fitness industry in China has changed immensely.

Just a decade ago, health club memberships were those at four- or five-star hotels that cost about 10,000 yuan a year or the ones at small local gyms that cost 200 to 300 yuan a year. Now the public has a much wider range of choices, ranging from the very cheap to the extremely expensive.

There are now about 400 to 500 fitness clubs in Beijing and I do not think it is saturated yet. The industry is still growing and finding experienced people is one of the biggest challenges facing it.

In my fitness clubs in China, I have had members who are aged between 60-70 years who exercise during the day when everyone is at work. I think membership has a lot to do with the club and the area they are in. It is true that fitness clubs are a predominantly urban, middle-class phenomenon, but clubs are now attracting a wider client base than before.

The fitness industry will continue to grow in years to come, but not as fast as it has before. The people working at fitness clubs will have more experience and knowledge. Customers will be more sophisticated and knowledgeable as well. Prices will continue to fall and costs will become more transparent.

A lot of the trends that are happening overseas, like niche clubs with basic amenities or clubs with indoor running tracks and those that open 24 hours, will start happening here. As China becomes more customer-focused, fitness clubs will also improve and retain more customers.

Matt Lewis is a club manager, consultant and investor in the Chinese fitness industry.