Instead of buying memberships for a gleaming, modern-day gym, Xu and his friends prefer to train at their own rather less-luxurious establishment－"2-7 Fitness Club", a refurbished bicycle shed in the historic western Beijing neighborhood February 7 Locomotive Industry.

Most regulars at the club, which was established over 40 years ago, are retired workers of the nearby locomotive factory. The youngest members are over 60 years old, while the oldest is an 83-year-old grandfather.

The set up at the club is certainly old-fashioned. Most of the equipment is rusty and there is no air-conditioning. There are no dazzling lights or dynamic music－the only entertainment in the room is an old radio. However, the aging members appear to be more motivated than your average young office worker.

"True, our fitness club looks a little bit shabby, but we have all the equipment we need," said Xu, a regular at the gym for the past 20 years. "Every day, I first warm up my body and then do bench presses. I normally start with 55 kilograms and then gradually work my way to 100kg. Then I do other exercises. I work on a different part of my body each day."