Moscow is holding an international conference on building modern fitness centres. The event is aimed at giving gym managers fresh ideas to satisfy the growing interest in healthy lifestyles.

Spending time at a fitness centre or gym has become part of the daily routine for a large number of urban workers. In many firms with young employees, fitness is a part of company policy. It's not only a team-building tactic, but also the best way to have healthy workers.

At the end of the day, staff grab their kit bags and go to a local gym.

Even though sports centres are mushrooming in the capital, statistics reveal that no more than 3% of Muscovites regularly go to sports centres – and around Russia the number is even less.

People say this is largely due to the fact that going to a gym costs too much. But they also concede that a healthy lifestyle is a choice.

Even though the fitness industry is booming in Russia, gyms are always ready to accept new members. And even if you're not a regular, it seems that going at least once in a while brings some benefits.

Socialite and successful business woman Olga Slootsker, one of the first to set up a chain of fitness clubs in Russia, believes they’re worth the money.

“Some people don't make lots of money, but they save up and join fitness centres, because they know that if you take care of yourself, the quality of your life will change for the better,” Slootsker says.