Gym - Passion and challenge

To improve their physique, many young people in Thai Nguyen have opted for one-on-one personal trainers.

A spectacular transformation

Over the past three years, gyms have sprung up like mushrooms in the central area of Thai Nguyen province. In Phan Dinh Phung ward alone, there are nearly 100 gyms of various sizes, with investments ranging from under 1 billion to over 2 billion VND. At these gyms, the majority of regular users are young people (70-80%), such as students.

Thanks to diligent gym workouts, many people have improved their health and physique. For example, Ms. Khanh Ly, 30 years old, from Phan Dinh Phung ward. Previously self-conscious about her disproportionate body, with excess fat around her waist and a small bottom, Ms. Ly decided to go to the gym. Boldly paying a considerable amount for one-on-one training with a personal trainer, after only six months, Ms. Ly's physique has dramatically transformed.

Mr. Tran Quang Tung, manager of the gym at 99 Bac Kan Street (Dragon Gym Fitness) - who directly created the meal plan and training program for Ms. Ly - shared: In 6 months, Ms. Ly only lost 2kg, but her muscle mass increased, her fat mass decreased, and her BMI (body mass index) returned to an "ideal" number as her fat percentage decreased from 28 to 23%. Most happily, all the excess fat in her waist area has "disappeared," her buttocks are more shapely, and Ms. Ly's health has improved significantly…

It's not just Ly; many young people have also dramatically transformed their physiques thanks to gym workouts. Nguyen Thanh Tra, 28, a businesswoman on Phan Dinh Phung Street, proudly shared: "Thanks to gym workouts, I've lost 10kg. Since successfully upgrading my body, I can easily wear clothes that used to be difficult to pull off."

Nguyen Manh Cuong, 32 years old, residing in Group 20, Phan Dinh Phung Ward, said: "My business is quite busy and stressful. Therefore, I go to the gym not only to exercise, improve my physique, and enhance my health, but also to relieve stress and fatigue."

In gyms across Thai Nguyen province, young people make up 70 to 80% of the clientele.

In gyms across Thai Nguyen province, young people make up the majority of the clientele.

But it's not easy to maintain.

The effectiveness of exercise in general, and gym workouts in particular, is proven by real people and real results. However, maintaining a scientific and consistent diet and exercise routine is not easy.

Mr. Tran Quang Tung said: "I started going to the gym when I was 15 years old and have continued for almost 14 years now. Driven by my passion for this sport, after graduating from the University of Theatre and Film, I participated in training courses and became a professional trainer. After many years of accumulating experience, I have been chosen as a manager by many gyms."

Through my experience training and managing at various gyms, I've noticed that pursuing this sport is not easy at all. Some people only come to the gym for one session and then disappear; many others start with great enthusiasm but only last a few weeks before quitting. In some exceptional cases, people spend tens of millions of dong hiring personal trainers for one-on-one sessions, achieve their desired results, but then regain weight after quitting.

Mr. Tung's observation is very valid, as many people who start exercising then quit. For example, Ms. Ha Minh Thu, 28 years old, is an office worker at a company in Phan Dinh Phung ward. After giving birth to her first child, Ms. Thu gained nearly 20kg. She tried going to the gym and regained her figure from her younger days, but lacked the perseverance to continue long-term.

Ms. Ha Minh Thu shared: "Every training session is very stressful. Furthermore, I always have to maintain a diet rich in protein like chicken breast, salmon, and beef… Meanwhile, I'm 'addicted' to carbohydrates like potatoes, cassava, rice, donuts, pho, and vermicelli… Therefore, I can only 'push' myself for a while before I can no longer maintain the training sessions and healthy meals."

Build healthy habits

Dragon Gym Fitness currently has approximately 180 regular members. Having received an investment of around 2 billion VND and operating since 2017, the gym continues to retain its loyal members. Mr. Nguyen Bao Ngoc, who lives near the gym, is one example. With the goal of improving his health, Mr. Ngoc has been a member of this gym for 8 years. Maintaining a healthy exercise routine is what motivates him to come here every day.

Maintaining a regular gym routine has helped many young people in Thai Nguyen achieve good health and a positive mindset.

Maintaining a regular gym routine helps many young people maintain good health and a positive mindset.

According to active members, simply maintaining three gym sessions per week is already a success. Thanks to consistent practice and a solid foundation, 26-year-old Nguyen Quang Huy has transformed from a gym enthusiast into a trusted trainer. He currently works at the gym located in the Thai Nguyen Provincial Sports Arena.

He believes that every coach should be a "spiritual medicine," accompanying and helping students maintain their enthusiasm for training sessions. To achieve this, coaches must constantly learn and improve their knowledge of nutrition and teaching methods.

Huy shared: "I started learning to become a coach in this sport in 2019 and perfected it in 2020. To continuously improve my professional skills, I don't hesitate to invest time and money in courses taught by Mr. Ly Duc (Vietnam's number one bodybuilder in the 1990s). I still attend advanced courses every month."

Perhaps, thanks to his passion, perseverance, and ability to create personalized workouts for each student, Huy has become the number one choice for many people seeking one-on-one gym training. However, besides the trainers' skills and qualifications, investing in facilities such as exercise machines, equipment, gym space, and regular machine maintenance is also a major plus in attracting students to the gym.

Mr. Tran Quang Tung said: The "pikleball" craze has drawn many gym members to this vibrant and novel sport. But it is the meticulous investment in facilities and proactive marketing that has helped bring members back to the gym...

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