Chinese Character - Some get fit on the cheap

CITYLIFE / Hip & New








Some get fit on the cheap
By Zhang Yu (Shanghai Delta)
Updated: 2006-09-25 17:18



Card-sharing amongst gymgoers in Shanghai's offices is becoming the
latest trend in the city.

Annual membership fees for fitness centres are often expensive in the
areas around the office clusters of West Nanjing Road and Central Huaihai
Road.

So, to reduce individual costs, canny white-collar workers are teaming up
with colleagues to negotiate special deals and get fit together.

"The idea of learning yoga in a fitness club has been hovering in my mind
for almost one year, but I still didn't let it come true until one week
ago," said Wang Ping,who works at a foreign bank on Central Huaihai Road.

She is now taking classes with three of her colleagues after work. "By
buying four cards, we got 20 per cent off the normal price, which is a
good deal for us," said Wang.

While not all fitness centres seem receptive to the idea at first, many
workers are using their powers of persuasion to negotiate special rates.

Some of them just go directly to the counter and bargain with the
receptionist on the spot. Thomas Liu is a typical example.Working in a
software company,Liu organized a group of more than 10 colleagues with
similar fitness interests.

They bargained with the boss of a nearby club, who eventually agreed to
give a big discount on membership fees.

"Normally one annual card in this club is 1,300 yuan (US$162), but we
bought it for 900 yuan (US$112), which is the same price of a six-month
card,"
said Liu, smiling.

To take advantage of this trend, some fitness centres are now putting
together packages themselves. A fitness and beauty complex in Huangpu
District recently decided to increase their customer base by asking old
members to introduce new ones to the centre at special rates.

Liang Hao, the manager, said the special discounted cards have become "a
hit in the market."

"Card-sharing can save a lot of money for me, so it's an important way of
personal financing," said Zhang Yu, who works for a foreign company on
West Nanjing Road.

A beauty salon nearby Zhang's office promotes an annual "duo-card."

"This type of card can be shared by two persons, but it is much cheaper
than two separate annual cards," said Zhang. "I posted a message in a
website forum and finally found a partner. Each of us saved nearly 1,000
yuan (US$125)."

Swimming pools and tennis courts are also trying to cash in on the
trend,such as Shanghai Pudong Swimming Pool which is offering special
deals to groups of 10.
















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