If you feel you're running on nervous energy, with too much to think about and too much to do, exercising in the gym may help you to de-stress, re-energise and strengthen your immune system.
Studies by the Chinese University's Centre for Health Education and Health Promotion found that only about 50 per cent of Hong Kong secondary school students do regular exercise. Such an inactive lifestyle leads not only to poor health but can also result in emotional problems.
'Exercise is vital to your body, but also to your mind as it releases endorphins - a group of proteins in the brain which generate happiness,' says 32-year-old personal trainer Nathan Solia. And going to the gym is a convenient alternative to team sports and ball games.
'It's more of a singular sport. It's not about scoring goals or being competitive. It's about getting fit rather than having fun,' says Solia.
Getting fit in the gym can improve your performance in other sports. 'The gym is often used to train for a sport. Some people come and train in the gym during the week and play soccer at the weekend,' Solia says.
Exercising in the gym is often slated as being boring, and many gyms are now offering personal TVs and DVD players so that gym members can watch their movie of choice while exercising. Solia says that working out is being packaged as part of a relaxing lifestyle like going to the movies.