Gyms struggling after COVID-19
Print Edition
With the current positive momentum in novel coronavirus pandemic control, Lanzhou, the capital city of Gansu province, has reopened its sports venues. While sports lovers return to fields and courts around the country, local gyms are struggling to recover the loss from the lockdown.
鈥淔or the sake of the prevention and control of COVID-19, we saw a bleak turnout in our gym, less than half that of last year. Pressure is mounting on many gyms,鈥 said Peng Yidong, runner of a local gym in downtown Lanzhou. 鈥淗ow to rebound from a record low is what every gym, or even the whole sports industry, had better figure out.鈥
When the pandemic first hit and forced the closure of public places, many gyms in China chose to livestream exercise lessons, in the hope that once an online fitness community was built, customers, as well as their membership fees, would stay.
Peng and his colleagues also created a WeChat group for online tutoring.
鈥淎t first merely one or two customers 鈥榗locked in鈥 every day. As time went on, the numbers grew. Quite a lot of exercisers would ask questions about the moves, which is nice to see,鈥 Peng said. 鈥淒uring the pandemic, the number of indoor workouts showed a sign of rising professionalism.鈥
Amid the outbreak, the importance of physical health is alerted, as the less athletic expressed less resistance and gym lovers pursued a higher degree of professionalism.
鈥淎fter the gym reopened, I found myself a personal trainer to guide my anaerobic exercise and diet choices,鈥 Zhang Peng, a sports fan, said at the downtown gym.
He used to be not very disciplined with his exercises schedule, but now wanted them to be more customized and systematic. 鈥淗opefully, I will have the perfect body shape and be healthier through training.鈥
鈥淧rofessionalism is among the factors that could save gyms from collapsing,鈥 said Peng. 鈥淕ood quality equipment, experienced teachers for group fitness classes, and highly qualified coaches are the key factors in the recovery of gyms. We should keep this in mind and take a step further.鈥
Atmosphere important
Every week, Li Ming, an office worker living near the downtown gym, took the dance fitness class. 鈥淚 love dancing in the gym. At home, there鈥檚 not the relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere as there is during the class. Dance exercise not only strengthens my body, but helps me unwind with music,鈥 she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a healthy, efficient and delightful way of exercising.鈥
So far, the gym has opened more than 15 different kinds of group fitness classes, including yoga, kickboxing and Pilates.
鈥淭hey are of a very high standard,鈥 Peng said. 鈥淔or example, teachers for the dance fitness class must be certified. Qualifiers are few and far between, and much more so for ones with the charm to kindle enthusiasm.鈥
As the industry embraces professionalism, under-qualified coaches may well be weeded out. Xu Qi, a personal trainer in the gym, said that with the spread of fitness knowledge and higher customer expectation, coaches ought to meet a higher standard for work performance.
鈥淣ow people come to gyms not only for fitness and to slim their physiques,鈥 Xu said. 鈥淭hey vary in goals.鈥
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