Fitness clubs and spas are nothing new to Guangzhou, but the current wave of participants is. Since the Sars outbreak last winter, denizens have been flocking to health clubs like Total Fitness Club, in Dongshan, and New Life Health Centre, in Tianhe, to get into shape. While many members take part in aerobics, boxing, weightlifting and running, the real fitness activity of choice these days is spinning.
An import from the United States, spinning made its way to China about three years ago and has recently become popular in cities like Shanghai and Guangzhou. The sport is akin to aerobics; only it takes place on a stationary bike. These sleek machines are fully adjustable and fitted with toe straps like a regular racing bike.
Groups of about 50 bikers pump, climb, stretch and sway to the commands of an instructor. A compendium of emotionally charged music plays throughout a 45-minute session as bikers peddle away the calories.
'Some people just like the atmosphere because it's fun and has lots of music,' said Jason Luo, head instructor at Total Fitness. According to Mr Luo, there are no real spinning classes being held in Guangzhou. Technically, Guangzhou's health clubs are holding 'tempo bike' classes, he says.
'Spinning is more intense than tempo biking,' said Mr Luo, who explained that in the beginners' class, the average heart rate is 160 beats per minute while the intermediate class pushes most participants to 180 beats per minute. Advanced classes have not yet opened. Spinning and tempo biking are activities that concentrate on cardiovascular exercise and fat burning.
But spinning and tempo biking are not for everyone. 'It's a pretty intense activity, so if you have a heart problem it's not advised,' said Mr Luo.
In Guangzhou, most participants are between 20 and 30 years old. While spinning and tempo bike classes are suited to the young, the number of male and female participants is about the same.