Gym life working out for more women

On the back of recent trends, a Spring Festival blockbuster last year and the overarching desire to lead healthier and empowered lives, Chinese women continue to flock to the gym in droves and even outnumber the opposite sex in what is often perceived as a male-dominated field.

As awareness of the importance of physical health and the pursuit of fitness grows, more women are making exercise an integral part of their lives. From following workout videos by fitness bloggers at home and sweating over weights in the gym, to outdoor hiking, rock climbing and running marathons, women are embracing a diverse range of fitness activities.

According to the 2023 China Fitness Industry Data Report, women account for 55.41 percent of fitness consumers. The China Outdoor Sports Industry Development Report (2022-2023) also indicates that women make up 59.9 percent of outdoor sports participants, becoming the leading demographic in this field.

With this trend has come a shift in typical goals when working out: instead of pursuing a slim and curvy figure, they exercise to be healthier, to gain a better understanding and control of their bodies, and to be more independent and powerful, according to the reports.