China’s younger generation hit the gym in search of sculpted bodies
The ‘ideal’ body image is changing on the mainland, and more people are willing to pay both time and money to achieve it
Jessica Xiao has a hectic job working as an executive’s assistant at an international car company in Beijing, but she still finds time to work out. To stay motivated, she meets her personal trainer twice a week at a local gym.
“I want to have a firm body and improve my overall look. I like the idea that exercising is part of my life,” the 27-year-old said. Like Xiao, many young people are turning to fitness training, be it hiring a private coach, working out in a gym or simply following videos on a yoga mat at home.
And with the toned arms and tummies come bragging rights. Social media is awash in selfies of young mainlanders showing off the results of their sessions. Others regularly post their workout statistics, such as the distance they cover on a nightly run.
Gyms cash in on China’s ‘fitness fever’ as women pursue that healthy glow
Xiao is content with a monthly “fitness report”, which gives figures for her body mass index, body fat ratio and waist hip ratio. She’s encouraged by their steady improvement.
One of the most popular fitness apps is Keep, developed by Beijing Calorie Information Technology. It had been downloaded 40 million times up to June, with 10 million active users.
Now people think having a flat abdomen is the new cool
Some 63 per cent are under 30 and 25 per cent are in their 30s. Men are more interested in working on their chests and arms, while women focus on honing their legs and buttocks.
“On the one hand, people are increasingly aware of keeping fit and healthy. But times have also changed, and so too has the aesthetic standard,” said Claire An, a Keep branch director. “Now people think having a flat abdomen is the new cool. It says the person works hard to have a perfect body and it deserves compliment that no limited edition designer bag can match.”
The dark side of Hong Kong’s fitness industry
Zhang Di, a personal coach with 14 years of experience, said he had witnessed a surging demand for private lessons. “Many of my clients are office workers who have returned from overseas studies. They like a strong, fit look and have visible arm muscles, which is beyond the imagination of people living in earlier times,” Zhang said.
Previously only the wealthy could afford gym memberships, yoga lessons and private trainers, which cost between 200 yuan (HK$230) and 500 yuan per hour. But young people now considered these necessities.
“Some pay for membership with credit card instalments, but feel it is totally necessary because they are not at ease if they don’t work out at the end of a day,” Zhang said.
