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Kylie Knott

The global wellness industry is booming, much of it fuelled by a pandemic-influenced shift in mindset that sees people focusing more on physical and mental well-being.
The numbers speak for themselves: according to a report from the Global Wellness Institute, the sector was worth US$6.3 trillion in 2023.
It is no surprise, then, that Hong Kong’s annual Fitness and Wellness Expo (FWE) is also getting bigger.
Now in its fifth year, FWE takes place this weekend, July 26-27, at AsiaWorld-Expo. Guests can expect an endorphin-packed couple of days.

Hyrox, a global indoor fitness competition combining running and functional workout stations designed for all fitness levels, is again a key feature.
Introduced in Germany in 2017, the global competition sees participants run eight 1km (0.6-mile) dashes, each time to a different functional fitness station to complete a challenge.
These could include pulling or pushing a weighted sledge for 50 metres (160ft), rowing 1km or doing sandbag lunges – walking lunges while holding a sandbag on your shoulders – for 100m.
Participants can race as individuals, in teams of two, or in relay, to see how they fare in the global ranking system.
Since its debut in 2022, when just 700 people competed, Hyrox Hong Kong has become a cornerstone of the city’s fitness calendar. This year’s event is set to welcome a record attendance of almost 10,000 racers.


For the first time in Hong Kong, Hyrox features the Adaptive Men/Women category, a division designed to make fitness racing accessible to athletes with physical disabilities.
“Hong Kong has always been a model for Hyrox’s growth in Asia,” says Gary Wan, managing director of Hyrox APAC, and chief executive and co-founder of sporting event management firm Hybrid Group.
“Our inaugural event here in 2022 welcomed just 700 participants. Fast forward to today, and we’re celebrating a fully sold-out event featuring almost 10,000 racers from over 48 countries,” Wan says.
“To see the event return for its fifth edition, bigger and more inclusive than ever, is a testament to the city’s vibrant and enthusiastic fitness community.”
The introduction of the Adaptive Men/Women category means even more people can experience the thrill of Hyrox, Wan adds.
“We can’t wait to welcome everyone of all backgrounds and fitness levels to the start line.”

This year’s event will include star-studded appearances from top racers such as Hong Beom-seok from Netflix’s South Korean sports survival show Physical 100, and elite Hyrox racers Rylan Schadegg, from the US, and Dexter Buchanan, from New Zealand.
Wan says Hong Kong’s fitness scene has experienced significant growth in recent years, with a noticeable shift towards holistic wellness and community-driven activities.
“Much of this growth can be attributed to the rise of Hyrox, which has given people a goal and a reason to stay fit,” he says.
“People are no longer just focused on traditional gym workouts. They’re embracing diverse fitness trends, fitness communities, and events that combine physical challenges with social experiences.”
He says this evolution has created a thriving ecosystem of fitness studios, boutique gyms, digital platforms and other businesses in the fitness and wellness space.

Hyrox may be the main event, but FWE offers much more, from booths promoting nutrition to tech and innovation – key elements for the younger generation, who appreciate personalised and data-driven solutions.
A stand-out feature this year is the Recovery Bay, where attendees can find saunas, ice baths, stretching professionals and cutting-edge recovery technology.
The expo is also dishing up the biggest-ever line-up of food and drink partners, offering everything from delicious bites to matcha, kombucha and ice-cold beers.

A night-market-themed marketplace – open all day – features many sports and wellness brands and innovative products.
Other booths include stretching specialist company Dr Stretch, which will be on hand to offer science-backed technology to help improve flexibility and accelerate recovery.
Who should attend? Wan says FWE is for everyone.
“Whether you’re a Hyrox racer, a fitness enthusiast or simply someone looking for a fun and active weekend, there’s something for you,” he says, adding that FWE caters to all ages and fitness levels.

Wan says FWE’s evolution has been impressive, starting as an expo and evolving into a festival that brings together fitness enthusiasts, athletes and the wider community to celebrate health, wellness and active living.
“Our goal is to create a dynamic space for communities where people can connect, refuel and recharge, blending fitness, lifestyle and entertainment into one unforgettable experience.”
AsiaWorld-Expo, 1 Airport Expo Blvd, Chek Lap Kok, July 26-27, 8am-10pm.
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Wellness

What to do at Hong Kong Fitness and Wellness Expo 2025, from Hyrox to saunas and ice baths

South Korean athlete Hong Beom-seok competes during the Hyrox Open Asian Championships at the AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong in 2024. He will be competing again at this year’s event. Photo: Edmond So

This year’s FWE will again feature Hyrox, the indoor fitness competition that attracts athletes from around the world. Photo: Edmond So

Gary Wan, managing director of Hyrox APAC. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Hong Beom-seok at the Hyrox Open Asian Championships at AsiaWorld-Expo in 2024. The Netflix Physical 100 star will be competing in this year’s Hyrox competition. Photo: Edmond So

This year, the Hong Kong FWE will feature Recovery Bay, an area dedicated to helping racers rest and recover. Photo: FWE

 The Hong Kong FWE will feature a market featuring fitness and wellness brands. Photo: FWE

Singaporean ‘Pull-up Grandma’, 79, defies age with her fitness feats

Charlotte Lim at the gym with her children, Yan Lin (left) and Tiat Lim. Known affectionately as “Pull-up Grandma” or “Auntie C”, the retired anthropologist is stronger and fitter than most people half her age. Photo: Instagram/coachwhy_yan

Charlotte Lim’s diet excludes added sugar, additives and processed food. Photo: Yan Lin

Charlotte Lim won the first foot race she ever entered, taking gold in the 100m sprint in her age group – 75 to 79 – at the Singapore Masters Track and Field championships in early July. Photo: Instagram/coachwhy_yan

Charlotte Lim has built a strong core by joining her children in the training programme they designed at their gym. Photo: Instagram/coachwhy_yan

One of Charlotte Lim’s home-cooked meals. Photo: Instagram/coachwhy_yan

Gardening is one of Charlotte Lim’s favourite hobbies. Photo: Instagram/coachwhy_yan

How a woman bodybuilder’s brutal mugging inspired her to another physical level

Daniella Means is a professional bodybuilder and champion powerlifter. She was also previously a rugby player for the Hong Kong team. Photo: Instagram/daniellameans

Daniella Means in 2013 (left) and in 2025 after 12 years of lifting weights. Photo: Instagram/daniellameans

Means plays for the Hong Kong women’s rugby team at the Hong Kong Sevens in 2013. Photo: Nora Tam

Means at the Ultimate Performance gym in Central, Hong Kong, in 2016. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

Means at the United States Powerlifting Association national championships in 2021. Photo: Instagram/daniellameans

Means at her first competition after receiving her bodybuilding “pro card” in 2023. Photo: Instagram/daniellameans

Means holds her “pro card” for bodybuilding in May 2023. Photo: courtesy of Daniella Means

Means with her husband Jonathan Bond. The two co-founded Relentless Online Coaching. Photo: Instagram/relentlessonlinecoaching

Longevity wellness gyms can help extend health spans so you live longer in good shape

Chi Longevity with Sparkd fuses physical and cognitive training. Photo: Chi Longevity with Sparkd

At Singapore longevity wellness centre Sparkd, brain-body workouts aim to extend participants’ health spans, or the years they live in good health. Photo: Chi Longevity with Sparkd

Chi Longevity with Sparkd is a new partnership in Singapore integrating physical exercise with cognitive training to prolong clients’ lifespans and health spans. Photo: Chi Longevity with Sparkd

Anna Milani founded Sparkd after losing her grandfather to Alzheimer’s disease. Photo: Sparkd

Chi Longevity with Sparkd’s brain-body workouts use game-like exercises to enhance cognitive and physical performance. Photo: Chi Longevity with Sparkd

Milani considers longevity gyms to be the future of health; she says traditional health and wellness programmes rarely aim to improve cognitive function. Photo: Chi Longevity with Sparkd

10x Longevity offers contrast therapy, which involves an infrared sauna session followed by a cold plunge. Photo: 10x Longevity

A client relaxes inside the hyperbaric oxygen chamber at 10x Longevity. HBOT has been linked to increased lifespan and health span. Photo: 10X Longevity

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Research shows that alternating between sauna sessions and cold plunges can boost cardiovascular health and immune function, and even cognitive function. Photo: 10X Longevity

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Kardashian attends the 2022 Met Gala in New York. Photo: Getty Images

Kardashian in New York in 2015. Photo: Getty Images

Kardashian at the 2019 Met Gala in New York. Photo: Getty Images

Lifestyle

Health & Wellness

Health

Among its many attractions, FWE Hong Kong 2025 will include Hyrox races featuring stars such as Physical 100’s Hong Beom-seok


Among its many attractions, FWE Hong Kong 2025 will include Hyrox races featuring stars such as Physical 100’s Hong Beom-seok.


What to do at Hong Kong Fitness and Wellness Expo 2025, from Hyrox to saunas and ice baths

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Among its many attractions, FWE Hong Kong 2025 will include Hyrox races featuring stars such as Physical 100’s Hong Beom-seok

Among its many attractions, FWE Hong Kong 2025 will include Hyrox races featuring stars such as Physical 100’s Hong Beom-seok