Therapist stretches her skills to fitness

After nearly a decade of working as a rehabilitation therapist at a hospital in Beijing, Hao Yue took another step in her career.

"Having my own fitness studio has been a dream of mine since I entered this field. It allows me to maximize my passion for the profession and apply my understanding of rehabilitation," Hao said. "I want every client who walks into my studio to feel satisfied with their physical condition and athletic abilities."

After graduating from university, Hao became a rehabilitation therapist in 2014 and stayed in the occupation until last November. Six months after leaving her steady job, she opened her studio in Beijing's Chaoyang district.

Unlike the overloaded hospital environment, in her studio she enjoys greater freedom, which allows her to pursue personal interests.

"I am a woman in my thirties who loves sports and enjoys participating in and organizing activities like running and tennis groups. I have many friends with similar interests. As a result, helping my clients better understand their bodies and improve their abilities in different sports has become my current goal," she said.

Last month, one of her clients, Yuanzi, injured her right hip while rock climbing.

To ensure Yuanzi could still participate in a hiking trip a week later, Hao adjusted the client's training and included strategies for her to manage injuries while traveling.

"During the National Day holiday, I received photos of Yuanzi walking in a natural environment, and I was thrilled to learn that she completed a 38-kilometer hiking trip," Hao said in a post on the lifestyle-sharing platform Xiaohongshu.

"Every time I receive feedback like this after helping a client return to sports, it feels like a healing moment for me," she added.

Hao closely observes her clients during training, pointing out subtle flaws that may be inappropriate or lead to injury.

There are significant differences between men and women in muscle strength and flexibility.

"For example, take the wrist. Women and individuals with weak or loose ligaments around the wrist need to be cautious participating in sports. During exercise, the wrist should be maintained in a neutral position," she said.

"Slightly spreading the fingers and using opposing forces — where the fingertips point down, and the palm lifts up — can help reduce pressure on the outer side of the wrist and avoid chronic injuries," she said.

In addition to enhancing her clients' physical fitness, Hao loves reading and is a fan of the podcast platform Xiaoyuzhou.

Many of her friends run podcasts on the platform, and she has been interviewed on a popular one called Stochastic Volatility, sharing basic knowledge on sports rehabilitation. Some clients have discovered her through these podcasts.

"In the future, I envision my studio as a relaxed and reassuring training space, as well as a cultural hub for various exchanges and sharing activities."