BEIJING, August 6, 2026 — As China prepares to mark the 18th National Fitness Day, a major conference was held in Beijing to formally introduce 10 updated national standards for indoor stationary fitness equipment, including a brand-new mandatory safety standard covering treadmills, strength machines, rowers, steppers, and ellipticals.
The event was organized by the China Stationery & Sporting Goods Association and hosted by the National Standardization Technical Committee for Stationery and Sports Equipment. Nearly 100 representatives from government agencies, leading China manufacturer brands, testing and certification bodies, and media attended.
Policy Context: National Fitness Plan Drives Industry Upgrading
The rollout aligns with China’s recently released National Fitness Plan (2026–2030), which sets a clear roadmap for the next five years and raises requirements for standardization, quality, and safety across the fitness equipment sector. Driven by rising domestic demand and expanding global trade, China’s sporting goods industry reached ¥2.49 trillion (~$345 billion)** in market size by 2025, with **sports equipment exports exceeding $30 billion. China has grown into the world’s largest sporting goods manufacturing base and a key global market.
New Standards: One Mandatory Safety Standard + Nine Supporting Specifications
The package consists of 1 mandatory national standard — GB 47368-2026, Safety Requirements for Indoor Stationary Fitness Equipment — and 9 recommended standards (GB/T 17498.1 through GB/T 17498.10-2026), collectively replacing and updating earlier editions. The standards apply to indoor stationary fitness equipment intended for users aged 14 and older, covering:
• Treadmills
• Strength training equipment
• Weight benches
• Rowing machines
• Stair climbers / steppers
• Elliptical trainers
• Stationary bikes
• Foldable fitness equipment
This framework establishes a two-tier system: the mandatory standard sets minimum safety requirements, while the recommended standards provide detailed, category-specific specifications. The standards are aligned with international norms and explicitly define requirements for structural and mechanical safety, electrical safety, limits on hazardous substances, and standardized warning labels and user manuals.
Effective Date: All standards become legally enforceable on October 1, 2027, giving manufacturers approximately 14 months to certify products and update designs.
Industry Leaders Lead Drafting & Demonstration
Key China manufacturer representatives who participated in drafting the standards delivered detailed briefings at the conference, including: SHUA Sports, Hebei Provincial Institute of Product Quality Inspection, Relax (Shandong Yingjidu), Kpower (Xiamen Kanglejia), Lijiujia, Sportsoul (Qingdao Sanboshuo), and Acana Power (Zhejiang Lixuan).
To illustrate compliance and innovation, Kingsmith, Kpower, Lijiujia, Hebei Weita, and Ironmaster (Nantong Tieren) showcased the latest products — including treadmills, exercise bikes, ellipticals, rowers, foldable treadmills, and strength training units — demonstrating how the new standards translate into safer, higher-quality fitness equipment.
