The sub-district is home to eight Sports and Health Homes for the Elderly, where nearly 2,000 seniors have created digital health records, logging over 400,000 visits to date. That is the answer!

As the birthplace of Shanghai's first Lohas Space, Daning Road Sub-district has partnered with professional organizations since 2016 to build community-embedded sports and health spaces for seniors. This initiative effectively solves seniors' difficulties in finding accessible fitness venues and accessing safe exercise guidance, and was recently featured on Xinhua News Agency's English app for global promotion. From personalized health profiles and custom senior-friendly equipment to a welcoming experience that blends exercise, socializing, and rehabilitation, the Lohas Space in Daning Road Sub-district has become a wellness destination for seniors.

Personalized exercise prescriptions for safer, science-based fitness

On the third floor of the Daning Road Sub-district (Western) Party-mass Service Center at Lane 1199, Wanrong Road, over a dozen age-friendly fitness machines are neatly arranged for an optimal workout flow.

Inside the cozy facility, several seniors exercise leisurely: Some pedal gently on stationary bikes, while others, guided by staff, adjust stretching equipment. Occasional chats and laughter add to the welcoming atmosphere.

All staff members are certified community sports instructors and Red Cross first aiders, with some also qualified as exercise health specialists. These professional credentials ensure seniors can work out safely.

Shen Jianzhong, in his 70s, is a regular who has visited daily since recovering from a leg fracture in 2024. He is currently taking a fitness assessment on an AI-powered machine, which updates his cardiopulmonary, strength, flexibility, and balance metrics in real time.

"I was tested once before. The staff reviewed my chronic disease history and fitness test data to give me a personalized exercise prescription," Shen Jianzhong said with a smile. "I've been following it since, and I came back today for another test to see the results."

Comparing the data from the two tests, the changes are clear: Lung capacity rose from 3,097 ml to 3,259.7 ml, grip strength increased from 33.5 kg to 39.8 kg, and reaction time improved from 0.63 s to 0.758 s, with scores improving across multiple indicators.

"Look! My lung capacity, grip strength, and reaction speed have all improved significantly!" Shen Jianzhong said happily, pointing to his test report.

Sun Lang, a sports instructor at the venue, explained that the main difference from a regular gym is how both services and equipment are fully adapted to seniors. "Instead of making seniors adapt to the machines, we tailor the equipment, workout intensity, and duration based on their medical history and test results to avoid risks from the start."

To put these science-based plans into practice, the venue has set up a comprehensive dynamic tracking system. Seniors check their blood pressure before and after every workout. The readings offer direct feedback on their health and help instructors adjust exercise recommendations promptly. A personalized digital health profile tracks metrics like blood pressure and workout duration in real time, triggering instant alerts for any abnormal indicators. Furthermore, children can remotely monitor their parents' activity using a Family Account.

This personalized exercise prescription also updates dynamically as the senior's physical condition changes. For example, as Shen Jianzhong's fitness test results steadily improve, the instructor fine-tunes his workout plan based on his latest cardiopulmonary and balance indicators, ensuring his routine remains scientifically tailored to his needs.

Thoughtfully designed senior-friendly equipment and intuitive layouts

A science-based service system forms the core, while equipment and layouts tailored to their physical conditions empower seniors to exercise safely and effectively. At the Lohas Space in Daning Road Sub-district, high-intensity machines common in regular gyms have been replaced by senior-friendly alternatives. The equipment is arranged sequentially into aerobic exercise, strength training, stretching, and rhythmic relaxation zones. This progressive flow suits the physical limits of older adults, allowing them to follow the rhythm and easily complete their workouts, even without professional guidance.

Fitness bikes in the aerobic exercise zone offer a gentle workout to prevent knee and joint strain. They feature two distinct designs: one for older seniors focusing on rehabilitation, and another for fitter individuals seeking a moderately intense workout. Stroke patients can use the bikes to let their healthy limbs assist the affected ones, gradually restoring their physical coordination.

For seniors with hypertension or hyperglycemia, the facility recommends smart isokinetic resistance machines for arm and leg exercises. Building muscle mass helps absorb excess blood sugar and regulate physical indicators.

Accessible vertical vibration machines and vibrating sofas in the rhythmic relaxation zone offer a special perk for seniors who have limited mobility and cannot exercise on their own. The steady vibrations provide passive exercise without any physical effort, helping to increase bone density, improve sleep, and relieve constipation. To ensure safety, the facility strictly screens users for contraindications.

After Xia Yun suffered hemiplegia from a sudden stroke in 2023, his doctor told him the first six months offered the best window for recovery, and progress would be difficult afterward. In the summer of 2024, Xia Yun walked into this Lohas Space with a walking stick. The specialized foot training equipment recommended by the staff proved to be a lifesaver for his rehabilitation. "At first, I couldn't even push my foot down, but I forced myself to keep training. Fifteen days later, I could finally move it slowly. After two months, I ditched the stick entirely!" Today, Xia Yun arrives punctually at the venue every day, working out for an hour and a half. Through sheer perseverance, he went from struggling with a stick to walking independently, defying his doctor's expectations. "The equipment here is exactly the same as in a rehabilitation hospital, but it's closer to home. Having staff on hand to guide us makes it far more convenient than a hospital visit."

More than a gym: a social hub for seniors

Helping seniors exercise safely and easily is just the baseline. The real secret to the immense popularity of Lohas Space is inspiring them to actually enjoy working out and stick with it.

Daning Road Sub-district understands that behind seniors' need for exercise is a deeper desire for companionship and connection. That is why this space is more than just a gym; it is an all-in-one fitness, rehabilitation, social, and educational hub for seniors, where older adults gain not only health but also warmth and joy through their workouts.

For seniors, certified community sports instructors are both caring companions and professional guardians.

When seniors first use the equipment and seem anxious, instructors will sit down to chat about their health and gently put them at ease. Then, they offer hands-on guidance, patiently explaining how to adjust resistance and read the data. For those in recovery, instructors closely monitor their progress and adjust training plans as needed, repeatedly teaching even the simplest techniques until they are fully mastered.

Shen Jianzhong still remembers his first visit. Unable to even adjust the resistance on the stationary bike, he felt overwhelmed. But thanks to the instructors' patient guidance, he gradually relaxed and grew to love working out here. Xia Yun often mentions how the instructors recommend equipment tailored to his stroke recovery needs and watch to ensure he uses it correctly, preventing injuries. "With them around, I feel completely safe exercising," he says.

The venue's welcoming atmosphere extends well beyond just fitness instruction.

The reading corner, well-stocked with newspapers and books, provides a welcoming space for seniors to unwind after their workouts. It is common to see residents gathered here, catching up on family news and sharing the simple joys of daily life. Curated classes such as Tai Chi, Baduanjin (a Chinese form of qigong), and aerobics inject fun into physical fitness. Furthermore, targeted workshops on fall prevention and smartphone literacy offer practical solutions to everyday challenges—bridging the digital divide and empowering seniors to better integrate into modern life.

Ding Weiqing, Deputy Director of the Community Service Office at the Daning Road Sub-district Office, explained that the Lohas Space was created to give seniors convenient access to safe, science-based exercise options right in their neighborhood. "Regular, science-based workouts help seniors prevent or slow the progression of chronic diseases, allowing them to truly enjoy healthy and fulfilling lives in their later years."

Deeply rooted in the community and focused on people's livelihoods, this practice has won unanimous approval from seniors in the Sub-district, serving as an outstanding model for China's community-based pension. Behind Xinhua News Agency's praise lies a precise response to seniors' needs, a refined and compassionate approach to community governance, and the beautiful vision of care, health, and happiness in old age.

In every Lohas Space across Daning Road Sub-district, this vision is turning into tangible warmth, quietly taking root and flourishing.