Tokyo is getting its very first esports gym

This story about training your gamer skills, boiled down, in 0:53 minutes.

What's the fuss?

Instead of a place to test your might or improve your cardio, Tokyo is getting an esports gym where people can improve their gaming skills instead. Believe it or not, this isn't a world's first and may be coming to a city near you.

The situation

An unassuming shop in Tokyo is home to a new training facility for current and aspiring esports professionals. Called Esports Gym, the space is focused on personalized 1-on-1 coaching for popular esports titles such as League of Legends.

For a membership fee, players can receive guidance and coaching from reputable esports organizations. Interestingly, gamers also have a direct pathway to become pro through periodic tryouts. Such accessibility may be the catalyst for local talent taking their skills to the next level. 

Boiling it down

Pro gaming has gone from being seen as "merely a hobby" to being a very lucrative career choice. According to a 2020 survey, 41.2% of male and 29.1% of female gamers want to go pro eventually. But with like in many professional sports, the likelihood of reaching the big leagues is very slim. Hence, the introduction of a properly-equipped training ground could make that likelihood more attainable.

The demographics makes sense - with the Asia-Pacific region encapsulating 57% of global esports viewership, the gym will likely see better traction where esports is more mainstream. The gym will likely have to stave off some competition in the region, but could find a home in the Americas eventually as viewership improves.

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