China plans to include regular physical exercise into its over 1 billion people's weekly routine by 2022 with its National Fitness Plan. There is even a dramatic rise in this industry. Now that the country has a lot of fitness centers everywhere, there is this one that differs from the others.
Loop Fitness originated from Denmark. When Guangzhou-based jewelry trader and sports fanatic Thomas Sylvest visited the gym in 2013, he quickly got the idea he needed to bring it to China. However, getting into the Chinese market was no easy feat, but he took the risk and did it anyway.
Sylvest quickly talked to the company's CEO Brian Schneider to bring Loop Fitness to China. It took them five years to negotiate, work, get permissions, stamp rubber, and look for a location before they open their first branch in the Asian country. Finally, on October 21, the Guangzhou flagship outlet opened.
Just like in its 100 gym centers in Denmark, Loop Fitness in China also avoids playing loud music. It also doesn't have a mirror, a big difference compared to the regular fitness centers.
"The chain's main goal is for members to feel welcome and to provide a relaxed atmosphere," Schneider said about Loop Fitness' main goal, per the South China Morning Post. The CEO continued to say that the gyms feature a coffee corner where members can relax after their workout, and talk with other fellow fitness enthusiasts.
"It is vital for the company to stay true to its simple roots - an approach that could not be further from the general fitness model in China," Schneider added. Fitness centers in China encourage its members to share their workout routines and results on social media. It's a win-win situation for both parties as it also promotes the facilities while the members give an update about themselves.
In October, China market research report revealed the rise of fitness centers in the country by IBISWorld, via Marketing China. The industry is expected to generate a total of US$ 6.91 billion in 2018. It shows 10.4 percent growth from 2013 to 2018. It is also assumed to grow in the coming years.
Sports & Leisure Group's Theo Hendriks said that China has the possibility to become the "biggest fitness market in the world within the next 20 years." If four percent of Chinese people will regularly visit fitness centers, the country has to build 30,000 new gyms over the next two decades. The country's citizens also become more health conscious today.
