Empowering health: Guiyang and Gui'an spearhead national fitness drive

In recent years, venues for exercising, fitness equipment, and sports guidance have become part of everyday life for residents in Guiyang City and Gui'an New Area.

In 2023, Guiyang invested nearly 30 million yuan ($4.14 million) to build 200 public fitness facilities around 140 urban living circles. A total of 12 public sports venues in the city are now open to the public free of charge or at low cost, and 822 primary and secondary school sports facilities are now also open to the public. The coverage rate of public sports facilities in the city has reached 100 percent.

A free public sports venue in Guiyang. [Photo/guiyang.gov.cn]

"My home is nearby, so after school, I often invite classmates to come to the Olympics sports center to play basketball, which is very convenient," said middle school student Chen Yujie, who lives in the Huarun Community in Guiyang.

Public fitness events in Guiyang are thriving. A total of 300 public fitness events of various levels and types were held in 2023.

A marathon kicks off in Gui'an New Area in March, with over 20,000 participants. [Photo/guiyang.gov.cn]

Having fitness facilities is not enough, there also needs to be fitness guidance to help residents exercise scientifically. Since 2023, Guiyang has organized over 100 voluntary fitness guidance activities. These activities involve sports instructors who provide guidance to more than 10,000 people.

Volunteer fitness instructors help residents get better at playing tennis. [Photo/guiyang.gov.cn]

On April 8, at the Huifu Community in Guiyang, volunteer fitness instructor Ma Mingjie led residents in badminton warm-up exercises and then demonstrated basic movements such as grip, forehand serves, and footwork.