New | Gyms cash in on China’s ‘fitness fever’ as women pursue that healthy glow
Chinese motivated to keep fit as they follow fad of posting workout selfies online
Foreign workout videos have rapidly gained popularity in China where “fitness fever” has swept the nation.
Last month, Shanghai office lady Zhu Ling posted a photo on WeChat of herself in a yellow sports bra, flaunting firm, flat abs and shapely, muscular arms.
The picture quickly gained more than 40 “thumbs ups” from friends, with some praising her “model-like” figure.
Zhu says positive feedback from her friends motivates her to stick to her daily exercise routine using an aerobics workout video by South Korean fitness guru Jung Da-yeon.
“Almost every girl in my office does aerobics with Jung,” Zhu, 28, said. “We do it at least four days a week in our meeting room during lunch break. It’s simple, effective and easy to do at home or in the office.”
A nice figure has become a fundamental need for more and more Chinese women in big cities
Jung, 49, a housewife with two kids, lost 20kg in three months by following a strict diet and exercise plan. She shot to fame in South Korea, Japan and China after publishing her diet books and workout videos.