Summary of the Key Points
This news article discusses how group fitness class instructors have unexpectedly become "grassroots idols," with many members pursuing them as fervently as they would a celebrity. Fans go to great lengths to secure front-row seats, exclude other supporters, travel across cities to attend classes, and even form rival factions. New members face exclusion from these groups, leaving the instructors in a difficult position between maintaining their performance metrics through their fans and preventing excessive attention. The reasons for this phenomenon include the high cost-effectiveness of group classes, the instructors' approachable and idol-like personalities, and the members' desire for attention and a sense of belonging in a physical space.
Scene 1: The "Star-Chasing" Atmosphere in the Fitness Room
The fitness room has turned into a mini-star-chasing arena, with various absurd behaviors:
- The "Class Domination" Group: Women in their 70s and 80s send "scouts" to reserve front-row seats in advance, using bottles as barriers to block others; those who accidentally knock over the bottles may face criticism.
- The Inclusive "Fans": Middle-aged women wear heavy makeup for every class, use the instructor's car, store their equipment in the trunk, and exclude other female members from seating spots.
- The Dramatic Fans: Middle-aged men in the back of the room attract the instructor's attention with exaggerated breathing and shouting, living out their own "heroic" fantasies.
- The Entertaining Support Teams: Some sign in for the instructor before class, form groups after class (like sales assistants), help arrange equipment, create a lively atmosphere, and even bring snacks and special treats (like ice lattes, banana pancakes, or three-course meals).
- The Cross-City Fans: Instructors who teach in different cities have fans who travel by high-speed train, writing on social media about "taking a brave leap in life"—although they're actually just going to another gym for a class.
Scene 2: The New Members' Nightmare: The Barrier of Existing Factions
For first-time attendees, the fitness room feels like an exclusive clique:
- For example, a new member named Anqi attended a Zumba class and found the front row completely blocked by seven people, making it impossible to see the instructor; she felt like a helpless gorilla praying for rain for 44 minutes out of 45.
- New members in the back were in chaos, while regulars and the instructor were chatting and laughing.
- Anqi later complained, "I don't want to spend money just to be near someone else's warm spot," and never returned.
These factions act like invisible walls, preventing new members from joining in: you have to buy the same fitness clothes or join their groups to get close to the instructor. Some even argue over the distance between yoga mats to be closer to them.
Scene 3: The Instructors' Dilemma: A Job as Difficult as Public Relations
Instructors face significant challenges:
- Performance Pressure: Low recruitment standards (as long as you can lead a class), intense competition, and a reliance on fan groups to fill the classes (at least three people are needed to start a class).
- The Idol Burden: Male instructors are expected to be handsome, tall, and charming; female instructors need to be beautiful, muscular, and good at interacting with members (praising them during class and maintaining relationships outside of class).
- Preventing Overexposure: Fan fervor can lead to exclusive groups, and instructors must balance keeping fans satisfied without alienating them. One instructor described it as "working like a PR professional in Kabukicho."
Why Have Group Fitness Instructors Become "Grassroots Idols?"
Not all professions can become popular among the public, but group fitness instructors meet several key criteria:
1. High Cost-Effectiveness: Much cheaper than pursuing K-pop stars—chain gyms offer free group classes, and premium classes cost only a few dozen dollars per session. Buying a coffee for the instructor can even get you noticed.
2. Impeccable "Idol Qualities": Instructors are seen as approachable, punctual, and engaging (e.g., providing personalized guidance and taking photos).
3. Emotional Fulfillment: Many members lack attention in their real lives (e.g., from their spouses or friends), and the 45 minutes in the gym provide a sense of belonging. Instructors' praise and the recognition from their groups give them a temporary sense of importance.
Scene 4: The "War" in the Fitness Room: It's About the Desire for Attention
The frenzy is actually a manifestation of the desire for recognition:
The small space of the gym becomes a micro-society where members compete for status and approval. They engage in behaviors like fighting over seats and pleasing the instructor to gain a sense of importance. What they lack in real life, they try to gain in the gym.
In conclusion, group fitness classes, which are meant for exercise, have become a place for emotional fulfillment. Some find happiness, while others face exclusion; some become idols, and others seek a sense of presence. Ultimately, it's about ordinary people trying to find a bit of warmth and recognition in their everyday lives.