Too busy during the day to squeeze in a workout? Not a fan of having to wait in line for equipment to open up at your regular gym during the day? Maybe you should try one of the 24-hour gyms that are opening up in Shanghai.
Though quite common in some Western countries, 24-hour gyms are relatively new to China. Lefit, a Hangzhou-based gym chain that came to Shanghai a few months ago, and US-based Anytime Fitness, now have several branches across the city, allowing members to scan QR codes on the doors with their phones to gain access at any hour.
For those worried about safety, remote surveillance is a common practice for 24-hour gyms in Shanghai. According to Li Rong, a staff member at one of these outlets on Longchang Lu, the facility is monitored by surveillance cameras 24/7, and gym members can press an emergency button if they need help. “The buttons are connected to our service center, where we have staff on duty at all hours,” says Li.
Space rental and staff wages are the major costs when running a gym,” says Gao Sheng who’s Anytime Fitness’ alliance director in China. “With a 24-hour format, we can reduce staff costs and narrow down space to target certain customers. More branches will be opened in China in the next three years.”
[Images via jfdaily]
