Guangzhou opens gyms and pickleball inside metro stations. Pazhou's 6,000+ sqm center starts end of October; pickleball is 60 yuan/hr weekdays, 120 weekends.
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After a long day at work, you might be too exhausted to hit the gym. And when the nearest fitness center is far from home or out of your way, finding time to work out becomes even harder. So, what if the gym came to you instead?
Guangzhou has come up with an unconventional solution: bringing gyms and sports facilities directly into metro stations.
At the end of October, the fitness center at Pazhou Metro Station is set to begin trial operations. Covering more than 6,000 square meters, the facility features fully equipped cardio and strength-training areas, as well as shower facilities where commuters can freshen up after a workout before heading home.
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And the gym is just the beginning.The table tennis center inside Pazhou Station is already open to the public, with nearly 20 tables available for players. Since opening, it has served more than 70,000 visits, according to reported figures, and is frequently fully booked during peak hours.
Meanwhile, a pickleball center and a tennis training area equipped with ball-launching machines are already operating at Tianhe Park Station.
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One online commenter summed up the idea with a joke: “While metro systems in other cities are thinking about adding more seats for exhausted passengers, Guangzhou Metro is asking: What if passengers still want to work out after their commute?”
Of course, this new approach to urban life has also sparked debate.
Many residents have welcomed the facilities, praising their convenient locations, comfortable air conditioning and suitability for busy office workers. Turning underused underground spaces into sports venues, they say, is a clever way to make better use of existing urban infrastructure.
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However, pricing has become a point of contention. At the pickleball courts in Tianhe Park Station, court rental costs 60 yuan (about $8.40) per hour before 6 p.m. on weekdays and 120 yuan (about $16.80) per hour after 6 p.m. On weekends and public holidays, the rate is 120 yuan per hour throughout the day. Some residents hope the prices will become more affordable and accessible to a wider range of people.
Others have raised concerns about the playing experience, noting that the relatively low ceilings in underground venues can interfere with shots and make certain sports less enjoyable.
At its core, the metro is designed to make getting around the city fast and convenient. Bringing fitness facilities into stations is a creative attempt to extend that convenience beyond transportation and respond to the changing needs of urban residents.
Imagine grabbing breakfast on your way to work, squeezing in a game before leaving the station, or finishing a workout and taking a shower before heading home.
When a metro station becomes more than a place to catch a train — when it becomes part of people's everyday lives — the city itself begins to feel more alive.
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Editor: Mira
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