China Fitness Equipment Industry News: AI Innovation, Record Exports, and Global Brand Ascendancy | May 2026

May 26, 2026 – China's fitness equipment industry capped a dynamic May with the successful conclusion of the 43rd China International Sporting Goods Show (China Sport Show) in Xiamen, alongside surging export figures, major brand partnerships, and accelerating AI-driven product innovation. The sector is rapidly transitioning from "Made in China" to "Global Brand," leveraging technological advancement and manufacturing excellence.

1. China Sport Show 2026 Sets New Records in Xiamen

Xiamen, China – The 43rd China International Sporting Goods Show concluded a landmark four-day run from May 21 to 24 at the Xiamen International Conference and Exhibition Center. The event set new records with over 2,000 exhibitors and an exhibition area exceeding 200,000 square meters – the largest in the show's history .

The show demonstrated that China's sporting goods industry is entering a new development phase characterized by technological empowerment, quality upgrading, and global competitiveness. According to the "China Sporting Goods Industry Annual Development Report (2025)" released during the show, China's sporting goods manufacturing and sales output reached 2.085 trillion yuan in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 3.6%, accounting for 54.3% of the total sports industry output .

French buyer Amine Salmi, attending the show, told CCTV News: "This equipment feels very innovative. It provides 98% accuracy in my assessment and generates a report. I came here not only to find new products I've never seen before but also to see what new concepts Chinese manufacturers are developing" .

2. Lightweight Fitness Equipment Emerges as Major Growth Sector

A notable trend at this year's expo was the rise of lightweight fitness equipment – low-barrier, portable, and home-friendly workout solutions. The dedicated lightweight fitness zone drew significant crowds with colorful, innovative products designed for fragmented, everyday exercise .

Jinhua Huojin drew attention with its creative cordless jump rope featuring a flower-shaped design, alongside a tennis trainer equipped with an intelligent swing feedback system. The smart version includes LED frame lighting and an intelligent counting display on the handle, blending functionality with engagement .

Hebei Junshang Sports showcased differentiated dumbbell and kettlebelt products targeting various consumer segments, from premium silicone designs to cost-effective cast iron options. Yangzhou Weisfit Textile introduced innovative elastic bands featuring skin-friendly fabrics, gradient resistance levels, and trendy patterns .

Industry experts note that lightweight fitness, with its low entry barrier and flexible scenarios, can easily integrate with cafes, leisure spaces, and digital technologies to expand sports and social engagement opportunities .

3. AI-Powered Smart Fitness Takes Center Stage

Artificial intelligence emerged as the dominant theme at the 2026 China Sport Show, with manufacturers showcasing equipment capable of real-time biometric feedback, personalized workout recommendations, and dynamic resistance adjustment .

Impulse (002899) , a leading Chinese fitness equipment manufacturer and official partner of the expo, unveiled nearly 30 new domestic-launch products across four scenario-based categories: digital training, strength, aerobic, and outdoor .

The company's AI large-model scientific health platform, which won an Innovation Excellence Award at the 2025 China Sport Show, has been further upgraded. The system now encompasses intelligent body assessment, AI evaluation, scientific exercise prescription, fitness planning, and knowledge Q&A – delivering full-cycle health management services .

"We have integrated treadmills, ellipticals, rowers, and strength equipment with the AI platform," an Impulse representative explained. "After collecting user assessment data, the system automatically generates personalized exercise prescriptions and adjusts resistance and intensity in real-time. Post-workout, it produces visual reports and nutritional recommendations based on lactate threshold and oxygen intake metrics" .

Shuhua Sports, celebrating its 30th anniversary, showcased its latest innovations under the theme "AI + Scientific Sports." The company demonstrated how AI-powered equipment can guide users through proper form, provide real-time corrections, and deliver data-driven training insights .

Taishan Sports debuted its new outdoor smart gym, which won a China Sport Show Gold Award. The product integrates smart control, multi-site exercise, and scientific fitness functions, creating an equipment-mobile phone-cloud platform data loop. It features an 83m³ immersive exercise space with an intelligent retractable canopy, occupying just 18㎡ while serving users aged 18-65 with 55-level constant resistance adjustment.

4. Shuhua Sports Becomes Chinese Olympic Committee Fitness Equipment Supplier

Xiamen, China – On May 20, Shuhua Sports signed a strategic partnership agreement with the Chinese Olympic Committee (COC), becoming the official fitness equipment supplier for the Chinese Olympic Committee for 2026-2028 .

Under the new agreement, Shuhua Sports will provide professional training equipment and support services for Chinese athletic delegations at major international events including the 2026 Nagoya Asian Games, 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games, and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics .

This marks the latest chapter in a long-standing partnership. Since first collaborating with the COC in 2013, Shuhua has been featured five times at Olympic "China Houses" – Sochi, Rio, PyeongChang, Paris, and Milan. During the Beijing Winter Olympics, Shuhua equipment was installed in three Olympic Villages .

Zhang Weijian, Chairman and President of Shuhua Sports, stated: "After thirty years, Shuhua remains deeply committed to the fitness equipment sector, covering all scenarios including home, commercial, public fitness, campus, athletic training, and senior wellness. Renewing our partnership with the COC marks a new strategic starting point for brand development. We will continue to strengthen technological innovation and serve the national strategy of building a leading sports nation and Healthy China" .

The company also released the "Scientific Sports Development Report (2014-2024)" in collaboration with the China Sport Science Society and Shanghai University of Sport – China's first systematic research report on "scientific sports".

5. Export Boom: Fujian Sports Goods Exports Surge 6.9% in Early 2026

Driven by the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup (hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico), global sports consumption demand has been releasing rapidly. According to Fuzhou Customs, Fujian Province's sports goods and equipment exports reached 4.28 billion yuan in the first four months of 2026 , a year-on-year increase of 6.9% .

The European Union remained the primary export market, with exports of 1.07 billion yuan (up 21%), accounting for 25.1% of Fujian's total sports goods exports. Notably, demand from emerging markets surged – exports to Latin America grew 61.8% and to Africa 36.1%, fueled by World Cup enthusiasm .

Fitness equipment and mass leisure sports products dominated the export mix. Treadmill exports reached 540 million yuan, growing 26.9% year-on-year. Tennis rackets and roller skates also performed strongly, with growth rates of 29.9% and 23.8% respectively .

General trade dominated, accounting for 28.2 billion yuan (65.9% of total), up 18.8%, while processing trade reached 12.9 billion yuan (30%), up 82.5%. Private enterprises led export growth, contributing 24.1 billion yuan (56.3% of total), up 26.6%.

 6.Industry Outlook: From "World Factory" to "Global Smart Brand"

The China Sport Show 2026 Fitness Industry Exchange Conference, held on May 22 under the theme "From Asian Manufacturing to Global Brand – The Deep-Sea Voyage of the Fitness Industry," brought together industry leaders to discuss globalization, intelligent manufacturing, digital operations, and service ecosystem upgrades .

Wen Jia, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Sporting Goods Federation, shared that China's fitness equipment industry export value reached $7.325 billion in 2025 , demonstrating Chinese manufacturing's competitiveness in the global supply chain. Artificial intelligence, digital interaction, and data-driven training systems are driving the industry's transition from "selling products" to "selling services" .

"Future industry competition will hinge not just on hardware performance, but on who can best connect users, data, and services," Wen emphasized .

The China Sporting Goods Industry Enterprise Prosperity Index rose to 158.7 in 2025, up from 143.8 in 2024 – moving from "moderately prosperous" to "strongly prosperous" territory .

Wen Jia added: "Why are so many companies now investing in innovation excellence and new product development? Because everyone has strong confidence. The improvement in Chinese product quality and brand recognition is being increasingly acknowledged internationally" .