On July 19-20, the 13th ChinaFit/HFA China Management Forum was held for the first time in China’s capital city of Beijing. This was more than a change of venue—it was a signal that China’s rapidly evolving fitness landscape is entering a new era of growth and international collaboration.

This was also the first time that the ChinaFit/HFA China Management Forum was held in conjunction with the ChinaFit Beijing Sport & Fitness Convention, a consumer show that features a number of workshops, exercise sessions, competitions, and other events.

Since 2011, the ChinaFit/HFA China Management Forum has worked to build bridges between domestic markets and international best practices, hosting more than 5,000 domestic and international fitness industry investors and operators over the years. With the theme of “Altruism Fueling a Healthy New Future,” the 2025 ChinaFit/HFA China Management Forum sought to crystallize the direction of China’s growing fitness market and the ongoing mission of the global industry.

ChinaFit and the HFA Expand Their Partnership

Representing the HFA at the event was Maria Gonzalez, CEO of ClubFitness Greensboro and a member of the HFA board of directors, and Sean Tan, HFA APAC director. During the event, Gonzalez and Tan met with ChinaFit founder Arthur Yan to extend the ChinaFit/HFA partnership and formally sign a landmark three-year agreement that will keep the forum in Beijing through 2027.

“We’re grateful for the many years of partnership and collaboration with ChinaFit and Arthur Yan,” Tan said. He added that the HFA would like to thank ChinaFit International Director Frances Fan for her work in supporting the ongoing partnership.

The three-year commitment acknowledges Beijing’s position as China’s business capital and signals stability and growth in an industry that has learned the value of speaking with one unified voice.

Global Voices, Local Impact

Gonzalez delivered a keynote address, “Moving Together: US Market Trends, Innovation, and Global Opportunity,” which emphasized the collective responsibility to address the global inactivity crisis through international cooperation.

“This was my second time attending ChinaFit, and once again, it reminded me why I love this work,” Gonzalez said. “Our collective responsibility is to collaborate across borders, sectors, and cultures to address the global inactivity crisis, reduce the burden of chronic disease through prevention and lifestyle, and build healthier, more connected communities to combat loneliness.”

Tan moderated a CEO panel that included Gonzalez, Viva Leisure/Plus Fitness General Manager of Franchising Gordon Martin, and RSG Group Head of Franchise Expansion Moritz Lamprecht.

“We shared views on why franchising in the fitness industry is going absolute gangbusters in recent years—although it’s been around for a while—and whether company-owned locations are competitive to the other franchisees,” Tan said.

Pairing the ChinaFit Beijing Sport & Fitness Convention with the 2025 ChinaFit/HFA China Management Forum added energy to the forum and demonstrated what the industry leaders were working to promote. The convention events included the Beijing Bodybuilding Open, the CFC Iron Gym Elite Challenge, the Beijing Sport University International Strength & Conditioning Conference, the ChinaFit Personal Training & Sports Rehab Forum, and the ChinaFit Pilates & Yoga Conference, as well as group exercise and education sessions.