A new CrossFit gym, Beneath the Surface CrossFit, has opened at CREATER SPACE, a creative hub in Changning district that was once Shanghai's first textile factory.

CrossFit is a high-intensity training method that blends gymnastics, weightlifting, and cardio to provide varied full-body workouts.

The gym boasts a spacious two-level layout with dedicated zones for training, rest, showers, and a hydration bar. The ground-floor training area features air-resistance rowing machines and bikes, barbells, gymnastic rings, and a full-height rope climbing station. Soft, sound-absorbing foam flooring minimalizes noise and enhances safety throughout the space.

"We offer three classes per day, each lasting one hour," said the gym manager. "Each session includes 40 minutes of warm-up and skill practice, followed by 20 minutes of high-intensity training. The workouts are challenging, but members support each other, which fosters a strong sense of community."

To meet individual needs, the gym creates customized training plans that integrate a range of equipment and movement types. For example, the air-resistance rowing machine uses rotating fan blades to generate resistance. The faster you row, the greater the intensity, providing a full-body workout that builds both strength and cardiovascular endurance. A digital screen tracks key metrics such as calories burned to support progress monitoring.

The rope climb has also become a standout attraction. Built to professional competition standards, it has drawn fitness enthusiasts eager to test their limits and refine their skills.

Located in the Zhongshan Park specialty shopping area, the gym benefits from its central location and easy access to nearby office buildings and residential communities.

"We hope to turn this space into more than just a gym," the manager said. "We want it to be a hub for fitness, community, and healthy living. With 2025 set as the first year of the three-year campaign on public weight management launched by China's National Health Commission, we aim to spread scientific fitness knowledge and encourage more people to stay active."

If you go

Address: Room 5102, Building 5, CREATER SPACE, Alley 546 Changle Road

Business hours: Daily, 6 am to 9:30 am; 1:30 pm to 8:30 pm

How to get there: Metro Line 11, Exit 5, Jiangsu Road Station

Source: Official WeChat account of Changning district information office at "shchangning"