A total of 60 government-funded gyms are set to be established in Huzhou, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/WeChat account: huzhoufabu] 

A total of 60 gyms funded by the local government will be built in Huzhou, East China's Zhejiang province. 

The gyms, which will all be entitled "People's Gym", come as part of a broad push by local authorities to offer more exercise venues for local residents, with the ultimate goal being to ensure that all residents of populated urban areas are within 10 minutes of a gym at all times. 

Six gyms will be located in the Southern Taihu Lake New District, 10 in Wuxing district, 10 in Nanxun district, 12 in Deqing county, 10 in Changxing county and 12 in Anji county. 

The gyms will be required to remain open at least six hours a day and at least two hours in the evening. Fees will generally not exceed 500 yuan ($72.4)/year, 100 yuan/month and 10 yuan/visit.

Sites are currently being selected for the gyms, and construction is expected to finish by October. By that time, local residents will have access to fitness facilities and personalized guidance at low prices and near home. 

To learn the actual demands of the public, a seminar attended by citizen representatives and experts was held recently.

Yin Zhen, an entrepreneur in the city, said he hoped that the gyms, in addition to traditional fitness facilities, will open some specialized training programs such as fighting, which, in his opinion, will help attract more customers.

"We hope that the People's Gym will be attractive in appearance, with the equipment easy to operate and use and professionals ready to guide us," said an official from the Yangguang residential community on Kangshan sub-district.