Property marketer Lobo Zhang joined a gym for the first time last year, adding to his collection of trainers and helping Chinese sportswear sales to climb at twice the rate of clothing and footwear in general.

China is in the grip of a government-backed exercise boom, boosting local sportswear brands and the likes of Adidas and Nike, which are gaining market share on the back of consumer upgrading and an embrace of the “athleisure” fashion trend.

Adidas this month said its sales in greater China rose 28 per cent last year — the fastest pace of any region, adding to net global profit growth of more than 60 per cent, while Nike reported “double-digit” sales growth in China in its most recent quarter. Greater China is the second-largest market for both brands, which together account for about a third of the country’s sportswear sales.