Night workouts help busy urbanites let off steam

Supportive policies

A combination of greater awareness of health, lifestyle-related consumption upgrades, innovative use of digital technologies and high-quality equipment is spurring a boom in China's fitness industry.

In recent years, the government has introduced policies to vigorously support the development of the sector. In 2013, the State Council, China's Cabinet, issued a guideline to promote the industry by expanding a nationwide fitness campaign and raising awareness of healthy lifestyles.

In 2016, the National Fitness Program for 2016-20 was launched by the State Council to promote the development of general health, with the aim of getting 700 million people to work out at least once a week and to encourage 435 million people to take part in regular exercise by 2020.

China's fitness market also has huge growth potential thanks to a growing number of people seeking healthier lifestyles and relief from rising pressure at work.

Between 2013 and last year, the sector grew by 11.2 percent, according to IBISWorld, a global business intelligence information provider.

Meanwhile, a report published by Gymsquare, a Chinese fitness industry observer, said the country is now home to over 46,000 gyms, and the top 10 earners saw combined revenue of 10 billion yuan ($1.45 billion) last year.

Ren Xingrong, co-founder of LeFit, a 24-hour gym chain based in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province, said an increasing number of people, especially young people who have to work late, are choosing to visit its facilities after 10 pm, accounting for more than 10 percent of the company's total customer base.

The multidiscipline fitness chain operates small-scale facilities across the country, and its LeFit app enables users to book workout sessions anywhere, anytime at their convenience and preference.

The first LeFit gym opened in May 2015, and the company now has around 500 facilities in eight cities, with more than 3.5 million members, Ren said, adding that monthly membership costs from 129 yuan to 199 yuan, depending on location, but longer-term membership costs less.

The mix of tech, convenience and multiple pricing options has made LeFit popular with urban fitness fanatics; so much so, that at some branches, sessions have to be reserved far in advance, Ren said.