The reasons why women hit the gyms

Many women do not just want to stay slim－they are looking to get toned. [Gao Erqiang/China Daily]

Keeping fit is the in thing in Shanghai now as the fitness industry booms in the city. About 2 million people attend gym sessions at nearly 1,000 facilities around the city. A recent report by Labor Daily said these figures have grown exponentially over the past few years.

The demands on Shanghai's fitness market are also rapidly evolving as the perceived standards of beauty for women change. According to industry experts, many women are now focusing on building flat and firm abs as well as toning their arms and legs.

Luo Wei, the manager of Elephant Fitness Club in Shanghai, says women do not just want to be slim these days.

"Women no longer consider being skinny beautiful. They want to exercise and get toned and healthy. It's not just about losing weight anymore," says Luo, whose fitness center has seen a 70 percent surge in female customers in the past three years. Eighty percent of its members now are women.

Luo says many women also go to gyms for a sense of accomplishment.

"If a student can only complete 20 sets of exercises when she first started but can now do 22 after training, she will be encouraged by the improvement."

For people like Zhou Xianjun, 22, a college student, the gym environment provides a source of motivation.

"Seeing other people looking awesome motivates me. Besides, I've already paid for the membership, so I should make use of it."

Sun Shanglong, a private trainer, says that women require more of a push from their trainers, as compared with men when it comes to sticking to a training plan.

Sun, who runs a fitness studio, says only 20 to 30 percent of his female customers keep up their training for one year or longer.

"Also, some single women exercise to make themselves more attractive so they can find a boyfriend."

A manager at Tera Wellness Club, fitness chain, says yoga and spinning classes are some of the most popular programs among women today.

Many women exercise because they don't want to adhere to a constrictive diet to stay in shape, he says, adding that those returning from other countries where there is a stronger fitness culture have contributed to the current fitness craze.

Wang Qifan contributed to the story.