The fitness equipment industry in China has experienced remarkable growth in recent years. Driven by rising health awareness and the nationwide fitness trend, demand for professional and home workout equipment continues to surge. As a result, several regional industrial clusters have formed across the country.
Industry experts often describe the market landscape as “South Fujian & Guangdong, North Shandong & Hebei.” While this phrase captures the main distribution pattern, a deeper look reveals a more diverse and competitive industry structure.
Northern Powerhouses: Shandong and Hebei
Shandong Province has become a leading hub for commercial fitness equipment manufacturing. Cities like Dezhou and Ningjin have developed strong industrial ecosystems. By July 2023, Ningjin alone hosted more than 2,000 fitness equipment companies, accounting for nearly 70% of China’s commercial fitness equipment output and exporting to over 170 countries worldwide.
Famous brands such as Impulse, Taishan Sports, MBH Fitness, BodyStrong, Shua, and Huixiang originated here. The local industry has evolved from small workshops to smart manufacturing and from OEM production to global branding, making Shandong the largest production base for commercial fitness equipment in China.
Hebei Province, particularly Dingzhou, is widely recognized as the “Hometown of Barbells and Weight Plates.” Since the late 1990s, Dingzhou’s fitness equipment industry has expanded rapidly, specializing in iron-made strength training equipment for export. Today, the cluster produces more than 3,000 types of fitness and sports products, with “Made in Dingzhou” dumbbells and barbells holding around 25% of the global market share.
Southern Leaders: Fujian and Guangdong
Fujian Province is another major player, with Xiamen being one of China’s earliest fitness equipment bases. Initially led by Taiwan-invested enterprises, the city nurtured leading brands like Shuhua and Kanglijia. Over decades, Xiamen built a complete manufacturing supply chain, where 95% of parts and materials can be sourced within a one-hour drive. Today, it is the largest export base for fitness equipment and massage devices in Asia and China’s only national-level export quality and safety demonstration zone.
Guangdong Province stands out for its focus on smart fitness equipment and digital solutions. Industrial clusters are mainly located in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, with supporting factories in Dongguan, Foshan, and Jiangmen. According to the provincial development plan, by 2025 the sports industry scale will exceed RMB 900 billion, with fitness equipment manufacturing expected to surpass RMB 500 billion. This positions Guangdong as a key driver for the next generation of intelligent fitness equipment.
Emerging Hubs: Jiangsu and Zhejiang
Beyond the “North-South dual core,” other regions also play vital roles.
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Jiangsu Province (Nantong) specializes in functional training equipment such as kettlebells, dumbbells, yoga gear, and hula hoops. Over 90% of these products are exported, with XinDian Town honored as the “Fitness Equipment Capital of Jiangsu.”
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Zhejiang Province (Jinhua, Yiwu, Yongkang, Wuyi) has become the center of home fitness equipment and e-commerce supply chains. Well-known brands like Yijian, Umay, and Irun are based here, making Yongkang the largest home fitness and leisure sports product cluster in China, strongly linked with online retail and international trade.
A Diverse and Competitive Landscape
The phrase “South Fujian & Guangdong, North Shandong & Hebei” accurately reflects the core distribution of China’s fitness equipment industry. Shandong and Hebei dominate in large-scale commercial and strength equipment, while Fujian and Guangdong lead in exports and smart fitness solutions.
At the same time, Jiangsu and Zhejiang have carved out strong positions in niche markets such as functional training equipment and home-use fitness devices. Together, these regions form a diverse, export-oriented, and innovation-driven fitness equipment ecosystem that is increasingly integrated into the global market.
As health and fitness trends continue to expand worldwide, China is set to remain the world’s largest manufacturing base for fitness equipment, with growing influence in both commercial and home-use segments.