Growing health awareness feeds new 'slimming economy'

High-tech help

In 2024, China shipped 61.16 million wearable fitness devices and was also the largest market for such devices, according to a report by global market consultancy IDC.

Supporting this trend, the April 2024 Special Action Plan for Promoting Healthy Consumption encourages technological empowerment and smart, portable fitness and outdoor equipment.

As AI continues to be applied in fitness, companies like Speediance are betting that personalization, consistency, and community will define the next era of health management in China.

Yang Wenhui, head of global market development at Speediance, said: "The biggest value of technology is to improve efficiency, reduce trial-and-error, and enhance the feeling of being accompanied."

Speediance's flagship product, Gym Monster 2, an all-in-one home gym machine, provides intelligent resistance training, while products like VeloNix, a smart indoor cycling bike, and the Wellness+ platform expand the ecosystem into cardio, nutrition, and personalized guidance.

"Wellness+ represents the company's evolution. It's not just a coach, it's more like a health steward that understands your personal rhythm," said Yang.

By integrating AI algorithms with real-time health data, the platform adapts training plans, tracks progress, and connects nutrition with exercise, providing a holistic approach that goes beyond traditional dieting and workouts.

"For example, Wellness+ allows users to snap a photo of their meal, instantly calculating calories and syncing data to adjust training plans. Instead of letting diet and exercise remain disconnected, we bring them together in one loop," said Yang.

Speediance also emphasizes community building, encouraging users to share experiences and celebrate milestones.

"That kind of peer-to-peer encouragement strengthens motivation, gives users a sense of belonging, and provides the real energy that makes people go further," she said.

Yang envisions the slimming economy expanding into a broader health ecosystem, one that covers not only weight but also strength, endurance, mental well-being, and social connection.

"For Speediance, the goal is to evolve from a hardware provider into a long-term health partner. We don't want people to see us merely as a manufacturer of fitness equipment, but also as a company providing sustainable solutions for holistic health management," said Yang.

Contact the writer at sunnyu923@163.com