Busy young professionals turn to sport to boost social circles
China DailyFitness enthusiasts attend a Body Combat group exercise class at Locker Space gym in Beijing late last month. In August 2022, Zha Xianyao, a real estate professional from Shanghai, founded the b15c cycling club as enthusiasm for outdoor activities was rekindled following the pandemic. Zha's passion for cycling started in June 2022 when he purchased his first road bike and took an unforgettable night ride through Shanghai's Lujiazui financial area with another cyclist. "It's this balance of fitness and fun that keeps everyone engaged as we aim to blend fitness with meaningful interactions," Zha said. According to lifestyle platform Xiaohongshu's 2023 Outdoor Lifestyle Trend Report, cycling-related content saw remarkable growth between January and October 2023.The number of posts about such content increased by nearly 400 percent to exceed 1.8 million during that period.