Seven Gym Archetypes You'll Encounter Here in Beijing
When many of us expats first land in China, we think we can fix everything about our lives, and a common first step is joining a gym. Meeting gym goers in China can be a whole new world. Whether you're a long-time gym user or have just gone a few times, odds are you've probably encountered one of these gym archetypes in the flesh! Or maybe you identify with one of these yourself…
1. The "Too Many Noodles" Redemption Arc
There is always that one expat in a Chinese gym who keeps complaining that they've gained so much weight since they came here. Oh yeah, we know how those Xinjiang noodles hit at 11pm, but there's a price to pay. So this type of person joins the gym in hopes of undoing what the noodles have been doing to them.
2. The Ultra-Friendly Gym Buddy
For the ultra-friendly gym buddy, the language barrier means nothing. They walk into the gym and greet everyone, not really getting anything back but knowing everyone all the same. Gym goers will give them a thumbs up when they walk on by, they'll spot for you in a heartbeat, or give you advice, and there are always extra protein bars in their pockets to lend to fellow gym buds. They love to sign up for group HIIT classes and are always the first to join an outside group run when the sun is shining. If these people were dogs, they'd be golden retrievers.
3. The WeChat Warrior
This type of gym goer is your go-to person for all the gym deals. They barely work out, but they've got you covered with the best packages and add-ons. They are in every WeChat group that advertises any sort of fitness membership and you'll often see them lurking at Supermonkey and other pay-as-you-go gyms trying to strike a deal. The problem with WeChat warriors though, is that they'd have a six pack if they dedicated this same amount of energy to the gym instead of the deals.
4. The Yoga Nomad
This person is a wanderer, a soul unknown. They are seen in shadows and away from the rat race of mainstream gym goers. They usually have a purple or other brightly colored yoga mat in their hands and find a peaceful respite amidst the usual gym chaos! They're members of every single yoga studio WeChat group and will proudly espouse the many benefits of yoga any chance they get.
5. The Douyin Diva
This is the person who looks the part more than they do the work. You'll always find them in those pricey gyms in the heart of the CBD, decked out in color-coordinated Lululemon and a full face of makeup. They have a tripod on them and they record their every move. The weird part is that these people never break a single sweat, always pristine with the latest gym gear and cute accessories.
6. The Silent Lifter
There's always that one gym goer who comes in, lifts the weight of 16 blue whales and leaves. You barely see them, they don't speak to anyone, and they always wear a loose T-shirt and the same grey trousers. But one day, when there is an emptier gym, you may just be lucky enough to see them take that shirt off to see the progress, and bam! That's when they become the official crush of everybody at the gym lucky enough to bear witness.
7. The Caffeinated Gym Bro or Sis
And let's not forget the ones who are running on caffeine pumping through their veins like nobody's business. They enter with a large cup of Luckin or Starbucks in hand and sip their way through the ultimate workout. They wear noise-cancelling headphones and don't look away from their weights.
Have you encountered any of these gym archetypes before? Or does one of them hit a little too close to home? Let us know in the comments!
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Images: Unsplash, Canva
