All in step

Compared with many other popular pastimes, dance classes have a strong social aspect. Members share common interests in music, dance moves and filming their activities, Yan noted.

Hilefit has organized at least 10 large-scale public events that offer dance sessions, including one at a sports carnival in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, in June. "Dance classes were in demand and were mostly fully booked shortly after they were made available during the carnival," Yan said.

Dance sessions held during the carnival were broadcast online and attracted over 800,000 views on the short-video platform Douyin alone.

"We received requests from users expressing their desire for more dance classes afterward," Yan said, adding that more traditional gym trainers have started to learn how to become dance instructors to meet the rising demand for classes.

"It's exciting that an increasing number of male dance teachers have emerged in our system," Yan said.

Hilefit said it will continue to upgrade its dance classes, and introduce new ones to satisfy its customers' needs.

"We welcome professional and outstanding dance course brands and research and development teams to contact us for in-depth cooperation," Yan said.