Chinese singer Liu Genghong and his wife livestream their workout session on Douyin.
Millions of people under lockdown amid the COVID-19 pandemic now share a common routine: online fitness sessions.
JINAN, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese singer Liu Genghong has become increasingly famous these days. But instead of appreciating Liu's songs, many people under lockdown are fond of his fitness sessions on video sharing platforms.
The 49-year-old singer, now more of a star personal trainer, who has also been locked down with his family in Shanghai, has been giving online fitness sessions several times a week on Douyin.
Liu is usually seen exercising to the fast-paced tune of his friend Jay Chou's "Compendium of Materia Medica" and other works. So far, his account on Douyin has drawn 55 million followers and 53 million thumbs-ups, igniting people's interest in indoor exercise.
According to Pu Zhengning, associate professor at Southeast University, the epidemic has limited access to gyms and fitness centers, meaning people need a set of simple aerobics without professional equipment, which is exemplified by personal trainers like Liu on social media platforms.
Since the epidemic outbreak in 2020, downloads of fitness-related apps have increased rapidly, indicating the growing popularity of online fitness. In the meantime, new styles of exercise have helped prevent gatherings and kept people fit.
According to a Douyin report in March, the number of fitness videos in 2021 increased by 134 percent, while followers of fitness trainers were up by 208 percent compared with the previous year.
Wei Fang, a student at Shandong Normal University, is one of Liu Genghong's fans. Wei also posted short videos on Douyin to record her exercise. "My major requires me to sit for a long time, sometimes for the whole day," Wei said. She started to follow Liu's fitness sessions to keep fit.
"Who could refuse a professional star personal trainer? Besides, when watching the livestream, I feel like working out with friends, which encourages me to hold on until the end," Wei said, adding that she lost 3.5 kg in seven days.
Cloud fitness is not a flash in the pan, as only a few have gym memberships. In the past, TV aerobics programs have proved their popularity. Nowadays, simple and easy-to-learn exercise methods are gaining more followers thanks to short-video platforms and social media.
Famous Olympian Su Bingtian also started an online fitness course on how to exercise at home. Many fans called Su "Champion personal trainer" in the comment zone. German fitness model Pamela Reif also attracted over 8.3 million followers on social platform Xiaohongshu with her workout videos.
According to the 2022 Spring/Summer Sports and Fitness Consumption Trend Report released by Jingdong Institute of Consumer and Industrial Development, sales of yoga and dance products have grown rapidly since March. Sales of yoga stretchers, yoga shoes, yoga domes and yoga bags increased by 868 percent, 816 percent, 110 percent and 104 percent respectively.
Along with several social media platforms, China's sports authority launched an online games on April 28. Ding Dong, an official with China's General Administration of Sports told Xinhua, "The aim of the games is to inspire the masses' enthusiasm in participating in fitness." ■
