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Fitness fetish
In 2002, the US health club chain - with more than 400 clubs in North America - formed a joint venture with China Sports Industry Group Co Ltd (CSI), a domestically-listed company in which the General Administration of Sports (GAS) holds the controlling stake. Bally holds 35 per cent. The first CSI-Bally Total Fitness Club opened in Beijing in June that year; and during the past three years, the chain opened two directly-owned fitness centres and 15 franchised centres around China. Beijing is home to eight CSI-Bally clubs. "In the past, fitness was more for athletic people. But now we are getting the general public coming in for better health," Amante says. "The industry has very good long-term prospects. There are at least 20 to 30 years of steady growth in the industry worldwide as more and more people want better health." Amante's view is shared by Li Bin, president of Nirvana Fitness & Spa Club, one of CSI-Bally's biggest competitors. "When I invested 22 million yuan (US$2.7 million) in the first Nirvana fitness club in Beijing in 2001, people thought I was crazy," Li tells China Business Weekly. "But I always believe as long as the Chinese economy keeps growing, the market demand for fitness will also keep growing." Nirvana's fast growth proves the "crazy man" has made a wise investment. The 3,000-square-metre club, with large windows where you can see the hustle and bustle on East Third Ring Road, was running at full capacity barely three months after its opening. The gym greets about 800 fitness enthusiasts every evening. Li opened the second Nirvana club a year later; and now, there are five Nirvana fitness centres in Beijing, of which two are franchised. Li is now expanding Nirvana into other large cities through franchising.
Dalian, a coastal city in Northeast China's Liaoning Province, will have its
first Nirvana club in September.
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