JWhite's picture JWhite Submitted by Guest on Tue, 03/22/2011 - 17:42

The details are in the link above. Just a guess but you'll need to be a native Chinese speaker at the very least and then I'd say they would want experience as GM of a large national (if not multinational)company or a high-level sports administration background. I also think that guanxi may play a factor for whoever lands the post.

Good luck.

Jonathan White, Managing Editor the Beijinger/TheBeijinger.com

merri0's picture merri0 Submitted by Guest on Tue, 03/22/2011 - 17:35

I'm picky about gyms so I've tried a good many on this list Smile

Reviews as follows:

1- Haosha: Haosha branches are super inconsistent. There is an OK Haosha in Dongdan and also a decent one at Dongzhimen Bridge (there is a pool included at the latter but it's in Gongti, which I find annoying). However, one consistency seems to be broken equipment. At each location I've been to (about 2-3), there have been "equipment malfunctions" at least twice a month wherein half of their treadmills or ellipticals-- as well as their locker room facilities--would be broken for a few days. If all you're looking to do is swing weights around though, Haosha might be good for you.

2- CSI Bally: I've been to the Wudaokou, Wangfujing, and SOHO CSI Bally's. All have been pretty good with decent rates. Their rush hours get more crowded than at other gyms. The Wudaokou locker rooms are terrible and the SOHO location is an improbable three-story building. It is also the only location to have a pool, but it's not worth it, particularly with..ahem, pool etiquette being what it is here.

3- Pacific Century Club: not worth it. Sorry. Also, treadmills are crap.

4- Nirvana: It is a toss up as to whether or not the rates for Nirvana are worth it, especially since they raised their prices a couple of years ago. The Jialong Fandian Nirvana is OK. The Wu branch isn't that great, except that it has a killer Friday evening spinning class. The clientele is obnoxious. Locker rooms have a hilarious "stand up dryer" in case you forget your towel.

5- Powerhouse: the staff has a piss poor attitude and will try to make you pay RMB 4000/year for halfway decent equipment and lockers that smell like death. Find someone who already has a membership and get them to hook you up with their membership consultant for a better deal. Also, if you agree to go during "non peak hours" they'll usually give you a better rate. Don't use the showers. No, seriously, don't use the showers.

6- Aomai Fitness at Sanyuanqiao is decent but located underground, so claustrophobes beware. Has possibly the nicest pool I've been in in Beijing. Locker rooms are decent.

It also should be mentioned that a lot of the "perks" these gyms offer, i.e., hot yoga, are not included in membership fees. You need an extra card for them.

Hope this helps!

TX_Chick's picture TX_Chick Submitted by Guest on Tue, 03/22/2011 - 10:23

I certainly wouldn't. I heard that an Australian girl died in Chiang Mai in Feb because of tainted street sushi. There was a problem with the seaweed and it killed her without any warning. They were able to save her friend after that, unfortunately they figured it out too late for her.

jeffo's picture jeffo Submitted by Guest on Sun, 03/20/2011 - 13:09

Legal rent agreements mean nothing in Beijing.
I know of several restaurants who face rising rents every month and one off "payments" to keep their basics like electricity and gas on. And they have fixed leases.
It is getting almost impossible for foreign places to do business here.

ronjonhawaii's picture ronjonhawaii Submitted by Guest on Sun, 03/20/2011 - 11:12

What kind of moron takes the Chinese name "Cao Cao"? If some Chinese guy picked a famous military strategist's name we would be mocking him endlessly. Perhaps I will give my Chinese friend a new English name, "Douglass McCarthur" perhaps? Napolean? or Maybe a king's name? Louis the XIV? The guy must be a total tool.

And "Ai Hua"? What kind of suck up to commie China kind of name is that?

Monkey King's picture Monkey King Submitted by Guest on Sat, 03/19/2011 - 13:50

They were only open for six months, and "the rent kept rising"?

Why would anyone agree to a lease without fixed rent prices?

I mean, sure, the greedy fucking landlords will still try to cheat you, but at least you've got a legal agreement.

Never mind. I just realized how silly that sounded.

WARNING: China Foreign Teachers' Union (CFTU) is a scam run by a convicted felon. UPDATE: He's now calling it China Teacher's Alliance. Still a scam.

Count_zero's picture Count_zero Submitted by Guest on Sat, 03/19/2011 - 12:53

Thanks, admin!

But are you sure that's right? According to dictionary.com Lhasa is pronounced "lah-suh" which sounds nothing like "let's".

Also, isn't business or visiting relatives an attractive possibility? And why the question mark in "Or maybe not?" why's he asking me? Are we supposed to write in to opine on whether Tianjin is or is not a reasonable travel destination?