HANGZHOU, May 4 (CNS) — Swimming, working out, playing tennis… Chen Xin, a post-1995 woman from Zhejiang province, packed her May Day holiday schedule with sports activities. She even changed her social media status to “Preparing for the Olympics.”
Recently, “Preparing for the Olympics” has become a trending term online, describing people engaging in high-intensity and high-density physical training in their spare time. On the social platform Xiaohongshu, discussions around “Preparing for the Olympics” have reached 15,000 posts.
“I didn’t travel this holiday. Instead of crowding into scenic spots, I’d rather go back to my hometown, enjoy a slower pace of life, and use exercise to regulate my rhythm,” said Chen Xin. She explained that her daily work schedule is fast-paced with fragmented free time, and the long holiday gave her the chance to try so many activities.
During the May Day holiday, a young customer works out at a gym. Photo by Bao Mengni
Surprisingly, even in her hometown, a third-tier city in Zhejiang, there is a rich variety of leisure and entertainment options. The cost of trial classes for some sports is only half of what she would pay in the city where she works. “It’s very wallet-friendly,” she said.
Many young people followed the same trend. In Jinhua, Zhejiang, a gym was already bustling with customers sweating profusely in the morning.
Yang Xiaomei, who wants to lose weight, maintains a regular workout routine. During the holiday, she scheduled two anaerobic and two aerobic training sessions, hoping to reach her target weight before summer. When asked why she pushed herself so hard, Yang said she is a mother of two and wants to set a good example for her children while also finding a personal goal outside of family responsibilities, rebuilding herself.
A fitness industry insider believes that young people’s rush to “prepare for the Olympics” during the holiday reflects their desire to regain control over their bodies and find focus. At the same time, the dopamine released through exercise boosts mood and heals emotions.
Outdoor activities also saw a surge in participation among young people this holiday. For example, a Hangzhou outdoor club launched hiking routes to nearby areas like Fenghua in Ningbo and Anji in Huzhou over four days, all fully booked.
In Chun’an, Hangzhou, Wang Zhichao, a post-2000 young man, and his partner spent nearly three hours cycling 50 kilometers around Thousand Island Lake. He said the natural “gate” of the mountain forest, which requires physical effort to reach, offers a chance to avoid crowds while enjoying scenic landscapes and challenging oneself, making it uniquely enjoyable.
