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China’s fitness enthusiasts exercise caution as they seek value for money

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China’s fitness enthusiasts exercise caution as they seek value for money

“A lot of people are just not spending like they used to,” said Dengle, co-founder of exeQute, a class-based fitness centre located in downtown Shanghai. “Before our most popular membership was a three-month membership. This month, we sold only one three-month membership, with the most popular being flexible credits on smaller packages.”

Jay Dengle and his wife Eliana are co-founders of exeQute. The couple opened their Shanghai gym in March. Photo: Handout
It comes as economic data released this week showed the world’s second largest economy growth momentum had weakened, while retail data came in well below expectations.

Still, China’s fitness market is expected to continue growing as consumers are paying increasing attention to health and fitness. New fitness models are emerging all the time, including group class boutique studios and private teaching studios. The fitness industry is expected to cross 100 billion yuan in 2026 (US$13.8 billion), compared with 70.6 billion in 2021, according to Statista.

Apps like ClassPass also offer competitive sales for price-conscious consumers, making the price per class even cheaper for users than going directly to the retailer.

“I thought customers were price-sensitive, but now I have realised that they are just not spending,” said Dengle, who believes the wave of shutdowns of prominent fitness franchises in China during the Covid-19 pandemic has weakened trust between consumers and fitness centres.

Tera Wellness, once a dominant player, shut down its operations in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou in May 2023 after declaring bankruptcy. At the time, several aggrieved trainers took to social media, claiming the company had failed to pay wages and rent, while customers were left fuming as their membership fees were not refunded.

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Other franchises like SpaceCycle and Physical also shut down several branches across China in the past year, causing an uproar among consumers who had to forfeit their deposits.

Raphael Coelho, the managing partner at X-Sigma Partners, an accelerator focused on scaling up retail brands in fitness, pet care, and food and drink, said consumers in China are looking for community-oriented gyms.

“We saw this trend globally, of people wanting to go to boutique fitness studios,” said Coelho, and while China is going through a slower economic transition, only niche concepts with strong business strategy can survive.

“There may be a lot of reasons why a concept fails,” he said. “You can’t just blame it on the economy. “It may be the business model, or the structure may have always had a problem to begin with.”

A slow market means only the best businesses will thrive and grow, he added.

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02:43

Chinese dog owners race alongside their dogs in new fitness trend

Chinese dog owners race alongside their dogs in new fitness trend

One of the rare successes in China’s wellness industry is MYBarre, which opened its first gym in Shanghai in 2016.

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MYBarre gym is popular with women, as it incorporates ballet, full body workout, sculpting, toning, strengthening and flexibility.

Siri Nordhejm, co-founder of MYBarre, says they were lucky to make it through the pandemic, mainly because most of her customers were Shanghai residents and not foreigners, who left the city in droves during the pandemic.

Consumers are more price-conscious and looking for the best value for money, Nordhejm said. The shift in attitude forced Nordhejm and her business partners to rethink the way they offered memberships to customers.

“We don’t lock people in the system which, I think, is definitely the way to make consumers feel happy,” said Nordhejm. They can try it for the experience and do not have to opt for any long-term contracts, she added.

“If you really have a great product, a great experience, I don’t think people mind actually spending the money,” she said.

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Fitness

Sweat in Style: Exploring the Boom in the Exercise Fitness Apparels Market

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Sweat in Style: Exploring the Boom in the Exercise Fitness Apparels Market

WiseGuy Reports

A Market Pumped for Growth
The market size for exercise and fitness clothing was projected to reach USD 340.35 billion in 2023. It is anticipated that the market for exercise and fitness apparel would increase from 357.4 billion USD in 2024 to 528.5 billion USD in 2032. During the forecast period (2024-2032), the exercise fitness apparels market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR (growth rate) of approximately 5.01%.

Get a Free Sample File of Exercise Fitness Apparels Market Research Report @ https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request?id=552510

Shifting Trends Fueling the Demand

The Rise of Athleisure Athleisure, a blend of athletic and leisure wear, has been a game changer in the fitness apparel industry. Consumers now demand clothing that is versatile, stylish, and comfortable, suitable for both workouts and everyday wear. With celebrities and influencers endorsing fitness gear as a fashion trend, athleisure has taken center stage, appealing to a broader audience beyond gym-goers.

Wellness and Fitness as a Lifestyle The global pandemic acted as a catalyst, transforming how people perceive fitness and well-being. Home workouts, virtual fitness classes, and outdoor activities became popular, fueling the demand for quality exercise apparel. People are investing more in activewear that supports their fitness goals, enhances performance, and provides maximum comfort.

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Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Practices Today’s consumers are increasingly environmentally conscious, pushing brands to innovate in sustainable activewear. Companies are leveraging recycled and organic materials, adopting eco-friendly manufacturing processes, and creating products with reduced carbon footprints. This shift toward sustainability is not only a trend but also a necessity as brands aim to capture the environmentally aware segment of the market.

Key Companies in the Exercise Fitness Apparels Market Include:

Nike

Adidas

Lululemon Athletica

Under Armour

Puma

Columbia Sportswear

VF Corporation

Asics

Mizuno

New Balance

Anta Sports

Li Ning

Fila

361 Degrees

Kappa

Technological Innovations Transforming Activewear

Advancements in technology are revolutionizing fitness apparel. Moisture-wicking fabrics, odor-resistant materials, and compression wear that aids muscle recovery are just a few examples of how technology is enhancing performance. Furthermore, smart textiles equipped with sensors to monitor biometrics like heart rate and body temperature are slowly entering the market, catering to the growing demand for data-driven fitness experiences.

Read More About Exercise Fitness Apparels Market Report @ https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/exercise-fitness-apparels-market

The Impact of E-commerce and Social Media

E-commerce has become a significant distribution channel for exercise fitness apparel, making it easier than ever for consumers to browse and purchase products. Online platforms offer a wide variety of styles and brands, while social media plays a crucial role in shaping consumer preferences. Fitness influencers and brand ambassadors showcase the latest trends, making activewear more aspirational and accessible. Direct-to-consumer brands are also using digital marketing and e-commerce to gain traction, offering personalized experiences and convenient shopping.

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Challenges and the Road Ahead

Despite the positive outlook, the market faces challenges. Intense competition, fluctuating raw material prices, and the need for constant innovation can put pressure on brands. Moreover, meeting the demands for sustainability while maintaining affordability and performance quality is a balancing act that many companies are still navigating.

Future Outlook

The future of the exercise fitness apparels market looks promising, with several growth opportunities on the horizon. Expect to see more hybrid garments that blur the lines between fitness wear and everyday clothing, as well as further integration of smart technologies. Customization and personalization will become key focus areas, as consumers seek apparel that reflects their individual style and preferences.

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Sales +91 20 6912 2998

About WiseGuy Reports:

We Are One Of The World’s Largest Premium Market Research & Statistical Reports Centre

Wise Guy Reports is pleased to introduce itself as a leading provider of insightful market research solutions that adapt to the ever-changing demands of businesses around the globe. By offering comprehensive market intelligence, our company enables corporate organizations to make informed choices, drive growth, and stay ahead in competitive markets.

Integrity and ethical conduct are at the core of everything done within Wise Guy Reports. We ensure transparency, fairness, and integrity in all aspects of our business operations, including interactions with clients, partners, and stakeholders, by abiding by the highest ethical standards.

This release was published on openPR.

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Fitness

Sweat Your Way to Rewards: Live4Well Revolutionizes Wellness with Innovative “Exercise-to-Earn” Ecosystem #Live4Well #VIVPASS #movetoearn #web3 #sports #globalsportsalliance #wellness #NFT

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Sweat Your Way to Rewards: Live4Well Revolutionizes Wellness with Innovative “Exercise-to-Earn” Ecosystem  #Live4Well #VIVPASS #movetoearn #web3 #sports #globalsportsalliance #wellness #NFT

HONG KONG SAR –
Media OutReach Newswire – 18 November 2024 – The past decade has witnessed a dramatic shift in consumer behavior, with online shopping becoming the norm, further accelerated by the pandemic. Reward programs have sprung up everywhere, incentivizing spending and fostering brand loyalty. The core of cashback is to encourage consumers to develop a habit of continuous shopping through rewards. This same logic is beginning to take root in the field of sports and health.

LIVE4WELL VIV PASS

LIVE4WELL VIV PASS

GYMetaverse, the innovative team behind the successful
Live4Well Genesis NFT collection, is disrupting the rewards landscape with the launch of its upgraded
VIV PASS program. This groundbreaking “move-to-earn” ecosystem incentivizes healthy habits, transforming sweat equity into tangible rewards. Live4Well envisions a positive feedback loop where exercise leads to better health, and better health leads to tangible benefits, realizing the concept of “health as wealth.”

Pioneering the “Fitness Mileage” Concept: Earn Rewards for an Active Lifestyle

This inclusive program is open to users worldwide with zero barriers to entry. In just minutes, users can download the
Live4Well mobile app and register for free access to the
VIV Pass ecosystem. Initially,
Sweat Points, the program’s reward currency, can be earned through three primary avenues:

(1)
Daily Exercise — Users accumulate points by tracking steps and calories burned, turning daily workouts into rewarding experiences.

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(2)
Competition Participation — Points are awarded for participating in designated sporting activities, simply by uploading proof of participation.

(3)
Health & Fitness Spending — Users can upload receipts for eligible purchases in the designated sports and wellness categories to earn additional Sweat Points.

Live4Well makes the benefits of exercise immediately tangible, converting effort into visible rewards. Accumulated
Sweat Points can be redeemed for a variety of prizes, including cash vouchers, fitness products, and exercise classes. The
Live4Well app also empowers users to track their fitness data and participate in engaging challenges.

Creating a Global Sharing Economy: A triple win for Users, Businesses, and the Industry

Live4Well’s vision extends beyond simply creating a health management platform. The “exercise-to-earn” concept fosters a mutually beneficial ecosystem:

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(1)
User Benefits
VIV PASS motivates individuals to adopt and maintain healthy exercise habits through a rewarding system.

(2)
Business Advantages The platform connects businesses with their target audience through community engagement and strategic partnerships, driving more effective product promotion.

(3)
Industry Transformation By creating a “move-to-earn” economy,
Live4Well stimulates consumer spending, transforming calorie expenditure into a quantifiable reward unit. This innovative approach empowers businesses to generate revenue, expand operations, and seamlessly connect the virtual and physical worlds.

Since its inception,
Live4Well’s fitness alliance ecosystem has continued to expand. With ongoing optimization of its operational framework, the
VIV PASS ecosystem provides easy access and a tiered membership system, fostering a comprehensive wellness mechanism which stimulates consumer engagement, and builds a thriving global sharing economy.

https://www.live4well.io/
https://x.com/live4well
https://www.facebook.com/live4well.io
https://www.instagram.com/live4well.io
https://www.youtube.com/@live4well

Hashtag: #Live4Well #VIVPASS #movetoearn #web3 #sports #globalsportsalliance #wellness #NFT

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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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Fitness

What your grip strength says about your health — and exercises that will improve it

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What your grip strength says about your health — and exercises that will improve it

Want to know how healthy you are? There’s one health metric experts can look to for hints about everything from your cardiovascular risks to your brain health: grip strength, or how firmly you can hold on to something with your hand.

“There’s nothing about grip strength, per se, that makes it special,” except that it’s easy to measure, Mark Peterson, a University of Michigan professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation, tells Yahoo Life. Research also shows it’s an excellent predictor of how you’re doing overall.

So what does your grip strength say about you, and how can you improve it? Here’s what to know.

What is grip strength, and why does it matter?

Grip strength refers to how much force you can generate when you squeeze something in your hand, and experts look at it as a good way to gauge someone’s overall strength or weakness. If you’re finding it harder to twist open a jar of pasta sauce, for example, that’s a signal you may be losing some grip strength.

Grip strength is measured using a device called a dynamometer, which provides readings of how many kilograms of force someone generates when they compress its handle in their hand. Normal grip strength varies with factors including BMI and sex, and researchers are still debating exactly what indicates weak grip strength. But one study suggests that men’s grip strength is considered weak if they produce less than 26 kilograms (or 56 pounds) of force; for women, it’s less than 16 kilograms, or 35 pounds, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

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What grip strength indicates about overall strength also turns out to be an excellent predictor of other health status factors, research has found. People with weaker grip strength are more likely to develop heart disease, high blood pressure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and to die of any cause. Losing grip strength over time has also been linked to a greater risk of cognitive decline. Grip strength “has proven to be the strongest predictor of disease and mortality, [better] than virtually anything else,” says Peterson.

That’s because a loss of grip strength “is such a good marker of frailty,” Dr. Ardeshir Hashmi, section chief of the Center for Geriatric Medicine at Cleveland Clinic, tells Yahoo Life. When someone becomes frail due to a loss of muscle mass, they generally are aging more quickly and will fare worse against any health problems, he explains. And frailty isn’t a problem just for the elderly. “As early as the mid-40s, these changes can start happening, especially when we’re very sedentary,” says Hashmi.

The good news is that adopting exercise habits and good nutrition can restore strength to your grip, and everywhere else.

What’s the best way to improve grip strength?

It might be tempting to run out and buy the sort of hand-strengthener tool some athletes use to improve their grips. But Peterson says not to bother. “That’s just not going to help your heart, kidneys or brain,” he explains. Instead, Peterson advocates for resistance training, because strengthening your body overall has widespread benefits and will help prevent you from becoming frail. Hashmi agrees that strength training is important, but says that exercise to improve your cardiovascular fitness — such as cycling or walking — matters too, especially because it ensures good circulation.

Exercise combats frailty by building up a good reserve of muscle which, in turn, will make your body more resilient against aging and help it bounce back more quickly from injuries or illness. Hashmi adds that you also need to be getting the right nutrients — especially protein — to fuel muscle development.

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Getting stronger has also been linked to better brain health. “We found a link between low grip strength and cognitive deterioration and anxiety and depression, but I think it’s mostly that … people who are physically active are healthier from the top to the bottom, and that includes mental health and brain health,” says Peterson. “Exercise is one of the most potent treatments for prevention and help with mental health disorders like depression and anxiety,” he adds.

Exercises to try

The most important thing is to choose exercises you like and will do daily, even if only for 10 minutes, says Hashmi. Peterson recommends doing exercises that require two joints, such as squats or lunges. Exercises that “use the hip and knee are the most important because so much muscle exists in the lower extremities that you can get a lot of benefit from doing those,” he explains.

It’s worth talking to your doctor about what kinds of workouts will work best for you, but exercises the two experts do recommend include:

  • Swimming and water aerobics

  • Lifting weights, especially deadlifts or dumbbell lunges. You don’t need fancy equipment to do either. Try them at home while holding light dumbbells, milk jugs or cans.

Don’t focus so much on:

  • Bicep and chest workouts such as curls. These won’t do much for overall muscle tone and grip strength, Peterson says.

  • Hand-strengthening exercises. It’s fine to do them to strengthen your grip, but full-body workouts will have more important benefits for your health, experts say.

One upside of resistance training is that “strength happens really fast,” says Peterson. “Neurological changes happen virtually in the first week of exercise.”

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And, yes, your grip strength will likely also improve as a result of this exercise; experts say that matters as an indicator of more widespread internal changes that are benefiting your overall health. Hashmi likens it to athletes training during the preseason. “If you’re not putting [work] in now, something will catch you unawares,” he says.

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