Entrepreneur offers fitness services, tips through social media

Fit-start gains traction as healthy lifestyle trend catches on

Never in his wildest dreams did Wang Yin imagine he would quit his coveted, well-paid job in banking to start up a business in China's underdeveloped fitness industry.

But today the 30-year-old owns a booming fitness company, Shanghai Fit-start Network Technology Co, while running two popular fitness social-networking accounts on WeChat and Weibo with more than 1.8 million followers collectively.

The change came in 2013, when Wang focused on working out for three months while in between jobs and said it completely changed his body and mind.

As he witnessed changes physically and mentally, Wang started sharing his training tips on social-media platforms WeChat and Weibo, attracting numerous followers wanting to keep in shape like he did.

The deeper he dug into the health and fitness industry, the bigger business potential he sensed, especially against the backdrop of social media and online marketing playing increasingly prominent roles in people's lives.

"Suddenly, showing off selfies of six-pack abs or a firm behind became a trend on WeChat and Weibo, which reflects the growing public awareness of healthy lifestyles in China," said Wang. "That's where my confidence comes from - our service could net gains in the fitness market in the digital era."

Wang's team, including professional trainers, sports-science specialists and nutritionists, uses an online to offline business model to offer tailor-made workouts and diet plans to clients who sign up for a 1,599 yuan ($250) six-week fitness camp the company offers on WeChat's e-commerce platform.

Clients with similar fitness needs and levels are placed in the same WeChat networking group and are required to post photos to motivate each other and prove they have done their daily workout, which is overseen and guided by a Fit-start trainer online.

Offline workouts are regularly held at Fit-start's gym in downtown Shanghai to check progress and improve communication. "It's hard to work out at home alone, but when you have companions who motivate you and share everything with an online social group, it makes it much easier to carry on," Wang said.

Fit-start recently launched a fitness app offering optimized services on Apple's IOS platform, and saw more than 100,000 downloads within two weeks.

Since the company was launched six months ago, Wang said his team has helped about 5,000 customers achieve their personal goals, either losing weight or building muscle.

"I just hope to provide customized services through an accessible online platform for people who are keen to get into better shape and lead a healthier life, but haven't achieved them in the traditional way. Hopefully it will continue to consolidate my career in the booming fitness industry," Wang said.

sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily European Weekly 11/13/2015 page25)