Senior fit-izens

The club is vigilant about the risks of elderly people pushing themselves to their physical limits. Gao Changyou, a retired doctor, plays the role of the gym's medical advisor, and happily advises other members on how to exercise safely and scientifically.

"For example, old people should avoid doing handstands. Many old people have arteriosclerosis and high blood pressure. Doing handstand is very dangerous for us and it could easily result in a stroke," Gao told Beijing Daily.

"But doing exercise scientifically is really beneficial to us. I, for example, had high blood sugar and cholesterol two years ago. After two years exercising here, it's a lot better now."