The fitness industry in China is booming on the back of a keep-fit fever that is sweeping the urban white-collar population.

A report by the Qianzhan Industry Research Institute, based in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, showed that sales at China's fitness industry have increased to 127.2 billion yuan ($19.6 billion) in 2014 from 69.1 billion yuan in 2009－that is, a whopping 84 percent rise over a five-year period or an average annual growth rate of almost 17 percent.

The number of gyms or fitness clubs, too, has risen to a record 3,650 in 2014 from 2,930 in 2009, at an average annual growth rate of 5 percent. Figures for 2015 are yet to be released, but are presumed to reflect the uptrend.

On average, there is a gym for every 1 million people in China, far behind the United States, where there is one for every 10,000 people. There is just one fitness instructor for every 83,333 Chinese.

According to a survey by Nielsen Holdings Plc and the General Administration of Sport of China, there are 3.5 million gym members in China compared with 50 million members in the US.

The variety in fitness regimens is also an attraction. These days, gym customers could do aerobics, practise yoga, dance, use fitness equipment and swim.

The Nielsen-GASC survey said fitness-minded people take exercise 7.5 times per month, and spend 10,000 yuan per year on average to stay fit and healthy.

A female student in Liaocheng, Shandong province, visits a gym to de-stress. [Photo provided to China Daily]