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5 Hong Kong fitness influencers and entrepreneurs to follow now, from BeEarth yogi Elva Ni and XYZ’s Belinda Koo, to power couple Shirley Chan and Sammy Sum at 111 Ones Fitness

Belinda Koo, Elva Ni and Lynus Woo are all trailblazers in Hong Kong’s fitness scene. Photos: Handout; @misselvani, @lynuswoo/Instagram

In the bustling metropolis of Hong Kong where a fast-paced lifestyle dominates, finding a harmonious balance between personal well-being and daily demands can be a daunting task.

However, amid this challenging environment, Hong Kong’s wellness industry is undergoing a remarkable transformation with an influx of innovative fitness studios and wellness boutiques.

Several trailblazers have played a pivotal role in establishing said projects, which have inspired the city to adopt a more active and healthy lifestyle. Here are five of them …

1. Belinda Koo from XYZ

Founder Belinda Koo poses for picture at XYZ cycling studio in Central, Hong Kong. Photo: Dickson Lee

Belinda Koo is a formidable force indeed. As the founder of indoor cycling studio XYZ, which opened in 2013, she has paved the way for many fitness enthusiasts in the city.

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However, her accomplishments extend beyond the realm of entrepreneurship. As well as being a mum of three, she also formerly served as the managing director of UBS Wealth Management.
XYZ is great for fitness. Photo: @youarexyz/Instagram

With a commitment to nurturing the mind, body and soul, XYZ offers an array of activities from yoga sessions to movement classes. The studio, which is best known for its intensive spin classes, has solidified its status as a favourite among fitness fanatics and celebrities alike.

2. Lynus Woo from Rep

After discovering a passion for fitness in high school and getting inspired by his personal trainer during university, Lynus Woo became a personal trainer himself. Photo: Lynus Woo

Lynus Woo started his business, Rep, in 2022, as per his LinkedIn.

A fitness enthusiast with a degree in art from Oxford University, Wu considers bodybuilding another form of art. “When you ask people why they go to the gym, they’ll say they’re trying to build the body they want. So, technically, that’s a ‘living sculpture’,” he told Hong Kong media.

Lynus Woo standing in front of his paintings at his gallery in Central. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

Rep has evolved into one of the hottest spaces in town, offering premium personal training services, physiotherapy and guidance for nutritional plans.

3. Shirley Chan and Sammy Sum from 111 Ones Fitness

Shirley Chan and Sammy Sum are the ultimate fitness duo. Photo: @111.onesfitness/Instagram

Celebrity couple Sammy Sum and Shirley Chan are the brains behind the ultra-stylish 111 Ones Fitness.

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Chan recounts how they chose this number as the brand name because it seemed to follow them everywhere they went. “Whether it was our hotel room number on holiday or when we checked our watches each day,” Chan told Hong Kong media.

Fitness enthusiasts head to 111 Ones Fitness to work out in style. Photo: @111.onesfitness/Instagram

The gym boasts a team of certified physical therapists to administer stretching sessions as well as rejuvenating cupping treatments. It also claims to help alleviate muscular discomfort and even realign bones.

4. Elva Ni from Be Earth

Elva Ni at Be Earth Yoga. Photo: @misselvani/Instagram

Elva Ni’s triumph in the 2005 Miss Chinese Toronto Pageant kick-started her journey as a model, actress and influential figure in Hong Kong. As a skilled cosmetologist, her talents extend to the beauty and wellness industry too.

Be Earth in Hong Kong. Photo: @beearthofficial/Instagram

A certified yoga instructor, she took the bold initiative to co-launch sustainable yoga studio, Be Earth. “I hope to inspire and motivate more people to incorporate yoga into their lives and experience the balanced life I’m having,” she told Hong Kong media.

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Be Earth yoga studio stays sustainable by incorporating bamboo flooring, ethically sourced mats, energy-efficient heating panels, and an array of other environmentally conscious features.

5. Tricia Yap

Tricia Yap is a fitness guru. Photo: @triciayap/Instagram

Tricia Yap made history as Hong Kong’s first female professional mixed martial artist, per Fit Summit. She also contributed her vast knowledge and skills as a coach on the MMA reality show, G1 Fight Club on ViuTV.

Tricia Yap has made history in MMA over the years. Photo: @limitlesshealthhk/Instagram
In 2020, she established a fitness facility called Limitless HK, offering integrated personal training while focusing on metabolic resetting strategies like gut health, per the company’s LinkedIn. Yap also has qualifications as a functional medicine health coach.
  • Hong Kong’s health and fitness scene is ever expanding, but we can thank these influential figures who have helped developed the city into the sporty hub it is today
  • Lynus Woo may have graduated from Oxford with a degree in art, but he’s since launched his own personal training gym Rep, while Tricia Yap started Limitless HK and was on ViuTV’s G1 Fight Club