From the beginning, the fitness industry was as chaotic as "not buying personal education and feeling unwelcome"
As "learning to swim and keep fit" has become a frequent voice on the streets of cities, gyms have gradually become a common consumer place for the public. However, the coach is unprofessional and only wants to sell personal education, gym money and other issues, so that bodybuilders worry about expenses. The development and construction of gymnasiums has gradually become a hot issue of general concern in society.
Fitness is a big business.
The National Fitness Program (20 16-2020) released on 2016 promoted national fitness as a national strategy and supported the sports industry as a green industry and a sunrise industry. Also in 20 16, the number of users holding fitness cards in China reached150,000.
"20 16-20 17 China fitness industry white paper" shows that the fitness population in China has increased at an average speed of 10% in recent years, and fitness normalization has become a trend. According to statistics, there are currently 37,627 gymnasiums in China, more than in the United States.
"Without a fitness card, I feel that I am behind the times." The reporter found that fitness has not only become the lifestyle of young people, but even some middle-aged and elderly people have gradually become frequent visitors to the gym.
"I used to think that walking around the company at noon was a sport. Now seeing that everyone in the circle of friends is drying the vest line, I feel that I can't lift iron and not produce steel. " A female interviewee told reporters. Compared with women's "just need" to lose weight, young men's "gain muscles and exercise blocks", middle-aged men's "get rid of greasy bellies" and aerobics and yoga popular among middle-aged and elderly women have also become popular reasons for gyms.
"With the growth of economic income, people's demand for daily consumption has changed from eating, drinking and having fun to healthy exercise, which is consistent with the international trend." With regard to the rapid development of the fitness industry in recent years, Shen Ganrui, the operator of a private fitness studio, told the reporter that since he came into contact with the health industry more than 10 years ago, the gym-centered industrialization of the whole industry has rapidly approached the level of developed countries such as the United States.
"For example, the fitness content on WeChat official account may eventually link to paid videos or nutritional supplements; After fitness, the demand for a diet with less oil and salt breeds the concept of light diet and related catering development; The flexibility and athletic ability shown by the stars also gave birth to the public's demand for various sports teachers and fitness coaches. These factors will make more and more customers walk into the gym for consumption. " Shen Ganrui concluded.
Private education has become a "class peddler"
Fitness is very popular, but there are also many problems in the fitness industry. The reporter found that the profit of the gym mainly comes from membership cards and private classes. As the "main force selling classes", the performance of private education directly determines their income, and many private education have turned into "class sellers".
"I just arrived at the gym, and the coach inside helped me test various physical conditions, saying that I had too few skeletal muscles, so I had to buy a personal trainer if I wanted to exercise effectively." Ms. Wang, a white-collar worker in Beijing, told reporters that under the constant persuasion of the coach, she spent several thousand yuan to buy private lessons.
"I lied to me for three years and didn't go for a few months. Either I can't take a shower or the equipment is broken. Public activity rooms are often occupied by private teachers, ordinary members are not allowed to go in, and they quarrel with us. " Ms. Zhang, a citizen of Beijing, told the reporter, "I feel like an unwelcome person in the gym without buying personal education." When Ms. Zhang proposed to return the card, the store tried every means to evade it, which made Ms. Zhang quite helpless.
On the one hand, private education has become a "class seller", constantly asking consumers to spend more money, but on the other hand, some consumers spend money but have no time to exercise.
"Because it doesn't cost much, I don't feel bad if I don't go." This has become the knowledge of domestic bodybuilders. "Many customers feel that they will follow the trend with a fitness card or have so-called health protection. They think it is only a matter of time before they go or not. For a long time, it is equivalent to providing financial support for the gym. " An industry insider said that the gym attracted most consumers who were trapped by the concept that "exercise is sweating in the gym". Because there is no clear motivation and health concept guidance, these people often fish for three days and dry the net for two days, and they can't go to the gym several times a year.
In addition, the threshold of personal trainer is quite low. In some training institutions, you can get a private education qualification certificate as long as you pay. According to media reports, some "crash courses" of training institutions can often "produce" personal trainers with relevant qualification certificates after five to seven days of training; What's more, a "package" advertisement was also played.
According to the Research Report on the Career Development of Fitness Coaches issued by the State Sports General Administration, only 42% of the people who are engaged in fitness coaching in gymnasiums are graduates majoring in physical education, and most of them have been trained for 1 to 3 months before obtaining relevant professional certificates.
Improve fitness awareness or enforce industry norms.
"Walking into the gym is consumption, so consumers must first establish a correct concept of consumption and choose the consumption method that suits them best. Secondly, in the event of a dispute in the consumption process, consumers can also properly defend their rights. " Wang Yanru, a lawyer at Beijing Handing United Law Firm, said that the gym and the whole industry often have problems.
Due to the rapid development of the fitness industry in recent years, it is not uncommon for operators to unilaterally pursue commercial interests. Running in the gym, the low quality of fitness instructors and frequent replacement, and the careless personal safety of members can all be solved by signing contracts when consumers apply for membership cards.
"If you want to avoid being fooled by an informal gym or fitness instructor, you must first have a sense of problems, nip in the bud, agree on the terms in advance, and show evidence to go through legal procedures when necessary. And if most consumers form good consumption habits and vote with their feet, the whole industry will automatically become formalized. " Rebecca told reporters that since gym membership fees or private courses cost tens of thousands of yuan, it is even more necessary to have a reasonable consumption concept. Consumers should consume rationally according to demand, and don't be confused by the verbal agreement of merchants.
"Fitness is a good thing, but you should make a fitness plan that suits you according to your spare time, commuting distance, hobbies and physical fitness, and don't be kidnapped by popular consumption concepts." Rebecca suggested.
One is willing to fight, and the other is willing to suffer. There is no harm in not comparing with others.