People dance in an underground garage in Beijing. [Chen Ruishi/China Daily]

Winter exercises around the country

BEIJING

On Monday, as people in the capital experienced the coldest day since winter started two months ago, square dancers in Chaoyang district moved to underground public parking places to continue their daily practice. The local weather forecast said that this week is likely to be the coldest this winter with temperatures around-11.6 C.

Last week, I participated in a half-marathon in Beijing's Yanqing district. The 21.0975 km distance took me two hours to complete. The temperature was as low as-20 C that day, while I was just wearing shorts. I didn't decide that on the spur of the moment, as it was a usual practice in my daily exercises, three times a week and at least 10 kilometers every time. As many people believe, exercising during the year's coldest and hottest times are best for strengthening one's determination. I got fond of running in 2011, because this sport can grant me confidence. I also want to pass on the positive influence to others and I chose the more eye-catching way. Running is now an important part of my life and I don't care about how cold it is.

Zhang Guocai, 22, fitness trainer and marathon athlete

Zhang Guocai runs a marathon in Beijing in January. [Photo provided to China Daily]

LIAONING

As the temperature in Dalian, Liaoning province, dropped to-14 C on Monday, I still went to swim in the sea at Fujiazhuang beach. I've been doing this for 21 years. Every day when I am in the city－except for the hot tourism season from July to September－I swim in the sea. It has become a habit. If I cannot make it, I feel uncomfortable.-14 C is not big deal. I went to swim in the sea when it was-23 C one day in 2000. The strong wind and cold air froze my hands as soon as I got out of the sea. In such a temperature, I swim for only about four minutes. Unscientific exercise will hurt the body. To swim in cold water, one must pay attention to the weather and his or her own physical conditions. But there is no doubt that scientific exercise is good for health. I know an elderly man who is now in his 80s who still keeps swimming in winter.

Liu Fuyong, 55, enthusiast on outdoor sports such as winter swimming, snow-covered mountain climbing, and long-distance running

HENAN

It is really cold recently, but I could not stop practicing tai chi twice a day with about 20 enthusiasts. If people stop practicing because of bad or cold weather, they will find it hard to keep fit.

Yu Dingguo, 77, vice-president of Zhengzhou Yang-style Tai Chi Committee, who volunteered to teach nearly 2,000 people in the city to learn tai chi