What do you go to a gym for? The majority of people will likely answer to develop a good figure. However, a local fitness trainer finds that several misconceptions exist among gym buffs.
"Regular exercise is the most effective way to keep fit or lose weight," said Charlie Li, a fitness trainer at the Physical Club's Xuhui branch. "However, many people have hasty tempers and rush to the gym on impulse. Often, they quit after a short time."
The Shanghai native said that short-term exercise can make a person's weight drop, but once they give up regular exercise, it will likely go back to as it was before. In addition, the immediate intensive practices for long hours will bring potential threats to health.
"I've seen many cases where some people hope to achieve quick results within a short period of time. They often get injured in the end."
The 27-year-old Li is a true sports lover. After serving two years in the army, he quit a job as a salesman and pursued a career in physical training. It was a good move as he passed the Test of International Personal Training Academy months later.
"People here (at the gym) are mostly young and fashionable white-collars who always work under great pressure. So they pay more attention to fitness and are enthusiastic about body-building."
The club provides various aerobics classes tailored to the different levels, ranging from the basic steps to difficult moves and complicated dance choreographies.
"Many girls, however, are afraid of having too many muscles, so they refuse to do apparatus practice," Li said. "It's not true."
He explained that because of the different organization of muscular tissue, it is much easier for a man to develop muscles through exercise for they have more androgen.
"For girls, apparatus practice does them good. Leg presses, arm curls and dumb-bell lifting are particularly good. All these exercises will toughen muscles and enhance their endurance and speed which girls often lack."
The club currently has about 20 full-time trainers and part-time teachers from sports schools. Since its foundation in 2001, it has signed up more than 10,000 members.
Each new member receives a physical assessment measuring their body fat mass, water content and cardio condition to help them choose the appropriate workout.
"Many students here hold the misconception that the more they sweat when exercising, the more good they are doing and the more calories they are burning. But it doesn't work like this," Li said.
He warned that too much exercise without drinking water will cause prostration which is a dangerous condition.
"The best way to exercise is on a regular basis, four to five times a week."
Li added that physical training was a life-long activity for all people. "There is no short cut. The only way here is to persist with continual life-long exercise."
Physical Fitness and Beauty Center Xuhui outlet
Address: 4/F, Metro City, 1111 Zhaojiabang Road
Tel: 6426-8282
Hours: 7am-10pm
Weider Tera Gym Pinliang outlet
Address: 1/F, 1500 Pingliang Road
Tel: 6570-2222
Hours: 8am-10pm am-9pm weekends
Alexander City Club
Address: 6/F, Xintiandi Square, 123 Xingye Road
Tel: 5358-1188
Hours: 6am-12am
Megafit Gym
Address: 3/B, 300 Huaihai Road M.
Tel: 5383-6633
Hours: 6:30am-11pm
9am-9pm weekends
Total Fitness Club
Address: 6/F, 819 Nanjing Road W.
Tel: 6255-3535
Hours: 7:30am-10:30pm
9am-10pm weekends
"Regular exercise is the most effective way to keep fit or lose weight," said Charlie Li, a fitness trainer at the Physical Club's Xuhui branch. "However, many people have hasty tempers and rush to the gym on impulse. Often, they quit after a short time."
The Shanghai native said that short-term exercise can make a person's weight drop, but once they give up regular exercise, it will likely go back to as it was before. In addition, the immediate intensive practices for long hours will bring potential threats to health.
"I've seen many cases where some people hope to achieve quick results within a short period of time. They often get injured in the end."
The 27-year-old Li is a true sports lover. After serving two years in the army, he quit a job as a salesman and pursued a career in physical training. It was a good move as he passed the Test of International Personal Training Academy months later.
"People here (at the gym) are mostly young and fashionable white-collars who always work under great pressure. So they pay more attention to fitness and are enthusiastic about body-building."
The club provides various aerobics classes tailored to the different levels, ranging from the basic steps to difficult moves and complicated dance choreographies.
"Many girls, however, are afraid of having too many muscles, so they refuse to do apparatus practice," Li said. "It's not true."
He explained that because of the different organization of muscular tissue, it is much easier for a man to develop muscles through exercise for they have more androgen.
"For girls, apparatus practice does them good. Leg presses, arm curls and dumb-bell lifting are particularly good. All these exercises will toughen muscles and enhance their endurance and speed which girls often lack."
The club currently has about 20 full-time trainers and part-time teachers from sports schools. Since its foundation in 2001, it has signed up more than 10,000 members.
Each new member receives a physical assessment measuring their body fat mass, water content and cardio condition to help them choose the appropriate workout.
"Many students here hold the misconception that the more they sweat when exercising, the more good they are doing and the more calories they are burning. But it doesn't work like this," Li said.
He warned that too much exercise without drinking water will cause prostration which is a dangerous condition.
"The best way to exercise is on a regular basis, four to five times a week."
Li added that physical training was a life-long activity for all people. "There is no short cut. The only way here is to persist with continual life-long exercise."
Physical Fitness and Beauty Center Xuhui outlet
Address: 4/F, Metro City, 1111 Zhaojiabang Road
Tel: 6426-8282
Hours: 7am-10pm
Weider Tera Gym Pinliang outlet
Address: 1/F, 1500 Pingliang Road
Tel: 6570-2222
Hours: 8am-10pm am-9pm weekends
Alexander City Club
Address: 6/F, Xintiandi Square, 123 Xingye Road
Tel: 5358-1188
Hours: 6am-12am
Megafit Gym
Address: 3/B, 300 Huaihai Road M.
Tel: 5383-6633
Hours: 6:30am-11pm
9am-9pm weekends
Total Fitness Club
Address: 6/F, 819 Nanjing Road W.
Tel: 6255-3535
Hours: 7:30am-10:30pm
9am-10pm weekends