Smart technologies fuel booming fitness campaign

For example, new sets of smart equipment were recently installed at a mass fitness and sports center in Wudi county, Shandong province. Before exercising, users watch video instructions on the equipment, which also tracks their physical data and provides scientific suggestions. Much of this new equipment is recharged through solar power.

Liu Yuhua, a 76-year-old local resident who regularly visits the center, told China Sports Daily: "It's really convenient to use this equipment. We watch the fitness instruction video first and then follow it to complete our exercises.

"What is more impressive for me is that I can acquire a range of data about my body after I finish the training, which is very useful for adjusting my training plans to a more scientific approach."

According to the local sports bureau, the authorities in Wudi spent 1 million yuan ($144,000) last year on 700 sets of smart equipment to upgrade fitness venues in 138 villages. This upgrading will continue, as the local government aims for residents to have a location for quality fitness workouts within 10 minutes of their homes.

According to the 2022 National Fitness Trend Report published by the General Administration of Sport of China, or GASC, taking physical exercise with the assistance of smart equipment and portable physical data trackers has become a new fitness trend in China.

Some 35 percent of interviewees for the report believe that digital rewards such as online rankings or medals provided by smart equipment are more encouraging than constant reminders from sports clubs about the need to continue exercising. Many of these respondents want to share the digital rewards they earn with others to encourage them to embrace sports and fitness.

Wang Xueli, director of Tsinghua University's Center for Development of Sports Industry, said: "Smart and interactive fitness equipment is increasingly entering our lives. For example, much of this equipment provides instruction videos. There are also sensors to track body movements and physical reaction, which monitor our speed, strength and agility.

"This equipment allows people to learn more about their weak spots during physical exercise, and they can receive professional suggestions. Most important, it guarantees sports safety and helps avoid injuries.

"A lot of this smart technology is being used in professional sports, and now it is increasingly entering the public domain."