Changes in Consumers Behavior at Fitness Clubs among Chinese Urban Residents - Dalian as an Example

Abstract

Consumer behavior at fitness clubs has always been a focus of research in the area of leisure and sports, but few attention has been given to behavior changes over time. Since their first appearance in China in 1990s, health and fitness clubs have been playing important roles in urban residentspsila sports and recreation. The behaviors of the exercisers have undergone great changes. A good understanding of the changes and trends of their behavior is very important both for the management of clubs and for the organization of the national fitness movement. Based on two surveys spanning eight years, the paper identifies dramatic changes experienced in the consumerspsila behavior at fitness clubs, from which the trends of consumers demands are predicted. The results could be helpful for the operation of clubs and organization of sports and recreation for urban residents.