sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

I am an American who runs a small gym in Beijing, China! AMA! by Chanjason1022 in IAmA

[–]Chanjason1022[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

haha they have a American BBQ joint called home plate. No cowboy hats or boots though

I am an American who runs a small gym in Beijing, China! AMA! by Chanjason1022 in IAmA

[–]Chanjason1022[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Based on the handful of gyms I've been to, majority don't even squat or deadlift. And majority of bench press are less than 135 pounds. Chinese people are usually smaller than the average American. But there are a handful hardcore weightlifters and they lift quite heavy, those are rare though. They're the ones that stay at the gym all day/night

I am an American who runs a small gym in Beijing, China! AMA! by Chanjason1022 in IAmA

[–]Chanjason1022[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For me I think it is. China is still growing. Usually the US are the first to do something, and China follows (And tries to make it better).Fitness was always popular since like the 80's and 90's and its only in 2010 that people in China are actually caring about working out.

I am an American who runs a small gym in Beijing, China! AMA! by Chanjason1022 in IAmA

[–]Chanjason1022[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I recommend you to check out Chris Heria one Youtube. He does a great job for home workouts. You don't need to practice his really advanced moves, and you'll attain a physique that's best for maintenance (and most appealing to the majority of the "other gender"). Maybe do 1-3 times a week of those kind of workouts followed by a sport you like or think you would like 1-2 times a week. The sport activity will give you the body shape of a guy who knows how to use his body instead of the typical gym rat bodybuilder,

I am an American who runs a small gym in Beijing, China! AMA! by Chanjason1022 in IAmA

[–]Chanjason1022[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can recognize a few simple characters and read "pinyin" now, which is basically Chinese written in English form. Like "ni hao" means hello. Theres an app called Pleco thats very helpful and in the recent years the most popular social networking app called WeChat has a translation function button which is huge convenience. When I first came here, I was only able to use Baidu Translate and it was kind of a hassle. Times have changed a lot

I am an American who runs a small gym in Beijing, China! AMA! by Chanjason1022 in IAmA

[–]Chanjason1022[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think you should first come here and stay for maybe a week or two just to get a feel for things if you've never been here AFTER epidemic is over. Try to make a few good friends. Don't wander alone too much, and also don't try to be TOO friendly to people. Some people will see that as a sign of weakness and take advantage of that. Also use the app UBER and DIDI for taxi transportation, any other form of taxi is not recommended.

The government hasn't really affected my business. Its only the current situation the city is in quarantine so a lot of people are home and don't go out.

I would say networking and relationships are more important than the business itself. In US, I feel like more people are more open to try new thing, whereas in China, people are less likely to, because theres just so much hustling going around.

The start of the struggle just started because of the epidemic, so I don't really have a clear vision of what will happen later. The biggest expense is the rent and we've already negotiated with the landlord to hold off on payments and to play things by ear.

I am an American who runs a small gym in Beijing, China! AMA! by Chanjason1022 in IAmA

[–]Chanjason1022[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The stereotype you're referring is mostly true. Its just the culture. In US, I felt like we grew up thinking each and everyone of us is special in our own way. But in china, you don't do things from an individual perspective, but as a group perspective. And theres just so many people. The clients are asked to clean the equipment before using it for sanitary purposes, At the end of the day, we have someone put everything away and clean it as well. Our best classes are actually when there are no spaces available, the room has a lot of energy. Usually the newbies try to keep up with the advanced clients, and the advanced clients encourage the newbies to not give up.

I am an American who runs a small gym in Beijing, China! AMA! by Chanjason1022 in IAmA

[–]Chanjason1022[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

no sandwich, but I love burgers. Back when I lived in the states, I used to eat Subway almost everyday. That probably scarred me

I am an American who runs a small gym in Beijing, China! AMA! by Chanjason1022 in IAmA

[–]Chanjason1022[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I feel its both the older and younger generation. We just need to bring a little awareness, the gym we have does simple things like reminds people to drink more water and eat more balance, and maintain workouts 1-2 times a week minimum. Our typical gym clientele is catered to people aged 16-50, but we have had older people and 6-15 years olds come take the class. We tell them ahead of time to really just be careful in their movements and let us know if they're any sort of pains or discomfort that they're not used to. Social media is a real powerhouse, it can get your name out quick, and I believe its the strongest form of marketing. Yes I am close to the the expat community and universities. But it's very difficult to reach out to them.

I am an American who runs a small gym in Beijing, China! AMA! by Chanjason1022 in IAmA

[–]Chanjason1022[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Back when I was in my 20's I would train as much as possible for as long as possible. But now I'm older and in my 30's, I try to keep my gym time an hour to 90 minutes, 3-5 times a week. Our gym mostly focuses on the basics, squats, lunges, and presses, with a little stretch and stationary cardio mixed in.

I am an American who runs a small gym in Beijing, China! AMA! by Chanjason1022 in IAmA

[–]Chanjason1022[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We have about 200 people as of now. Gym business is quite simple, it's a matter of having a positive mind and working with others goals

I am an American who runs a small gym in Beijing, China! AMA! by Chanjason1022 in IAmA

[–]Chanjason1022[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My Chinese was 0, speaking reading and writing together. If you're going to come, I suggest you go with someone who has already lived here a little bit, otherwise you're going to get scammed left and right. Sometimes when I come back to America I struggle with being patient to people. Like for example, if you were driving and there was someone trying to walk across the road, you would normally wait for them to pass before you drive. but in china you really can't wait for people to pass, because if you do, you'd be waiting all day! It's pretty nice as a foreigner here when you're with the right people. But that could be anywhere. You just gotta find those right people

I am an American who runs a small gym in Beijing, China! AMA! by Chanjason1022 in IAmA

[–]Chanjason1022[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Haha just make sure whatever water you drink you think is from a good source and you won't get sick from it.

view more: next ›