Laid back, looking good

Working out is not what it used to be. Body building, once the chief activity in Hong Kong gyms, is slowly being replaced by a more holistic emphasis on health, flexibility and body toning.

The front line in the fitness evolution is evident at Seasons Sports Club, a fitness centre located in Citibank Plaza (a year ago the club took over premises previously occupied by Tom Turks).

Gone is the male-dominated atmosphere, the emphasis on muscle building, and the odour of sweat. With a HK$10 million renovation, the new club's architects have converted the ground floor squash courts into a ladies-only spa and a mixed-gender yoga studio.

The changing rooms have been refurbished with woody elegance, a juice and snack bar added near the entrance, the pool re-surfaced, and the work-out studios upgraded with a diverse programme of tai chi, spinning, Pilates, aerobics and dance classes.

The weight rooms are still there, but instead of kilo-crunching, the emphasis has shifted to strength and tone, a mood enhanced by the female-friendly environment.

'We do it slightly differently,' explains club general manager Conrad Chan, pointing to the intimate atmosphere inside the snack bar. 'We call this the community zone. People come here to chat, relax and be social.'