In a recent survey conducted by the China Youth Daily’s Social Survey Center and Questionnaire Network, a striking 64.7% of respondents are calling for the construction of more accessible sports facilities in their neighborhoods. The convenience of having fitness options nearby plays a crucial role in promoting mass fitness. Over the past few years, initiatives have been introduced across the country to establish a “15-Minute Fitness Circle,” which aims to ensure that people can reach a sports venue within a 15-minute walk from home.
However, the survey revealed that only 15.5% of participants said it takes them less than 15 minutes to get to a convenient fitness location. In fact, a notable 60.9% indicated that a lack of nearby sports facilities dampens their enthusiasm for exercise.
We spoke to several individuals about their experiences and expectations regarding local fitness facilities. Ma Yan, a mother of two from Sichuan, has struggled to maintain an outdoor exercise routine over the years. “The nearest park to my home is a 20-minute walk away. While it has workout equipment and a running path, extreme weather makes me reluctant to walk that distance to exercise. I can jump rope on my balcony or do aerobics in my living room, but it doesn’t feel as fulfilling,” Ma shared.
In Anhui, Wang Ning has taken to jogging along the roadside because there are no suitable recreational areas nearby. “My family worries it’s unsafe and advises me to do simple exercises at home. They are also concerned about the health risks of running near traffic. If only there were proper fitness facilities closer to home,” he lamented.
Zhang Qiaran, who lives near the Third Ring Road in Beijing, shared a more positive experience. “There’s an area with various exercise equipment right outside my community. I go there after dinner, and I sometimes run into young people exercising after work as well.”
In contrast, Song Jianping, a retired man from Wuhan, has a routine that he enjoys due to his new neighborhood’s offerings. “I used to live in an old community with few public exercise options. Now, I have a park and a public square nearby, which meet my daily activity needs. There’s also a new sports center that offers free swimming access to students during holidays. I appreciate the improved fitness environment and feel more satisfied with my life.”
To further improve public sports services, a plan was established by multiple agencies, including the General Administration of Sport, which aims to enhance public fitness facilities across counties, towns, and villages by 2025 to ensure comprehensive coverage of the 15-Minute Fitness Circle.
When asked how long it typically takes to reach a fitness location, only 15.5% reported a travel time of under 15 minutes, while 48.0% travel 15 to 30 minutes, and 36.5% take over half an hour.
Wu Han, a young professional in Shanghai, expressed her views on this issue: “The convenience of fitness facilities is directly related to my enthusiasm for exercise. When I was an undergraduate, I would walk just a few minutes to the swimming pool, but during grad school, the facilities were inadequate, and I stopped swimming regularly.” Similarly, Zhou Ru, who works in Beijing, echoed these sentiments, noting that the absence of a local exercise area requires him to take two bus rides to play sports.
While some, like Wang Yuan from Hebei, remain motivated to exercise despite a lack of nearby facilities, the broader survey indicated that over 60% (60.9%) of respondents feel their motivation to work out would diminish if there were no convenient options close by. This trend was notably higher among those born after 2000, with 69.0% feeling this way.
Reflecting on the importance of accessible workout spaces, many respondents advocate for the construction of more sports facilities within communities, emphasizing the need for sensible planning and strategic placement. “With busy work schedules and family responsibilities, I often find myself too tired to exercise,” Ma Yan acknowledged.
The survey also pointed out several barriers to fitness participation, with 55.9% citing inadequate public sports spaces, 51.3% finding facility fees too high, and many others expressing concerns about a lack of knowledge about fitness and the dangers of injury due to improper techniques.
As Wang Zongping, Dean of the Sports Institute at Yunnan University, highlighted, while enthusiasm for fitness is growing, many young people still lack consistent exercise habits. He stressed the importance of providing better access to fitness environments to help address the community’s needs.
This survey’s findings emphasize the crucial role that proximity to fitness facilities plays in encouraging an active lifestyle, sparking an ongoing conversation about how to make exercise more accessible for everyone.
