In China you can bargain about anything. 

At the gym you need some kind of owner/manager to be able to get a lower price. You need to make sure he understands the value of a white face using his facility as well as the fact that there are other places you can go sweat. 

Of course, I bargained my rent, my car, my indoor bicycle at home, my internet yearly subscription, ... so why not a gym membership? This is China, most of everything can be bargained if you speak the language.

I had the same problem (air too damn toxic for running), took the same decision a few months ago. The gym was expensive, but my wife bargained (took at least 30 mn, asking to see the manager), nobody seemed overly shocked about that. We pay 750 RMB for 3 months, well equipped, and no overly obnoxious customers.

Sure can. It didn't even take much effort on my part and I got to pay only 500 rmb for a year..and I've only been there maybe 7 times in the past 9 months. I couldn't handle all the staring and gawking and people walking up to my treadmill/weight machine and just staring at me trying to build up the nerve to say hello and practice what little English they knew, So i said screw it and turned my 3rd bedroom into a home gym, full equipped. The only problem is now I never even use the stuff in there..lmfao!

The last time I tried to my chinese friend got an 800 RMB membership por half a year, the first price was 1,200 but since she said no. They made this offer, didn't took it. Not enough time to go.This gym is called Mirako.

Yes, you can usually always. Even if the price wont change, they will give you stuff for free.