Aerobics numbers plummet after city order to pump down volume

Apr 5, 2011, 3:41 GMT

Phnom Penh - Attendance at outdoors exercise classes in Phnom Penh has dwindled since freelance aerobics instructors were told to lower the volume on the accompanying music, local media reported Tuesday.

Aerobics classes have become a staple in the capital in recent years, with exercise entrepreneurs setting up boom-boxes that blast out catchy pop songs in parks.

The informal morning and evening classes have become hugely popular with thousands of people taking part each day. Those wanting to join in - who are regularly outnumbered by onlookers - pay around 25 cents a session.

A district official told the Phnom Penh Post newspaper the order had come from City Hall.

'We do not ban them, but they must not disturb other people and music must be turned down very low from 7:30 pm,' said Un Sam Ang, the chief of Chaktomuk commune. 'They can do exercise at any time, even up to midnight, but they have to respect people's sleep.'

One instructor said officials had visited him several days ago and told him to turn down the volume. Since then the number of people attending his classes had dropped from around 200 to just 10.

'It is now so quiet at the park,' 25-year-old Siv Davin said. 'People want to exercise here with music to relax from their work and studies, and to be healthy. Exercise without music has no taste.'

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