Wang Gang (right) provides one-on-one training for a client.  Wei Xiaohao / China Daily

Challenging and rewarding

When he arrived in Beijing in September, Wang Gang, from the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, had no idea how he would make a living. He was 18 and had just retired from semi-pro weightlifting.

As an up-and-coming athlete, Wang had received a very limited education. He had little hope of a lucrative post-athletics career until he signed up for a two-month course to earn the National Fitness Trainer Certificate issued by the General Administration of Sport of China, the country's top governing body for sports. "To be a professional fitness instructor seems a natural fit for me because I will be able to make a living by using my long experience and knowledge of physical training and strength exercises to benefit other people," he said.

Wang obtained the certificate and was hired by NowFitness in December. He has since become one of four trainers employed to offer personalized one-on-one courses to members.

On a typical day, Wang works with at least four clients individually for 60 minutes each, and spends the rest of his time patrolling the gym and offering guidance to regular visitors.

His leisure time is mainly devoted to designing tailor-made training programs for his clients and maintaining his own workout routines.

Earning a cut of 25 percent of the fee for each one-on-one session, and with a low basic wage, Wang can earn at least 12,000 yuan ($1,933) a month in his rookie year, almost three times the monthly per capita disposable income in Beijing.

"I'm happy with my income, but what satisfies me more is the sense of accomplishment after helping my clients stay in good shape and seeing my expertise deliver," he said.

According to analysis undertaken by the Sports Industry Commission at the China Sports Science Society, professional fitness trainers in urban China have joined the upper-middle income group, with estimated average monthly incomes ranging from 8,000 to 15,000 yuan.

Still, challenges such as heavy sales pressure and picky customer requirements present tough learning curves for up-and-coming trainers such as Wang, who are desperate to succeed.