Wei Jiajia walked out of training after a more than five-hour workout and was ready for lunch.

"I'm still standing," said the 22-year-old, wearing a gray training uniform and two long braids in her hair.

After graduating from a university in Wuhan, Hubei province, Wei came to Tianjiao International Security Academy, a school in Beijing that runs camps to educate and train bodyguards.

Once the preserve of men, the bodyguard or security guard profession is attracting a growing number of women.

Wei is one of nine female trainees in the camp.

Registration of females has been increasing since the academy opened in 2008, according to its director, Chen Yongqing.

Up to now, the school has developed five training camps, which have attracted hundreds of applicants, including women, Chen said, adding more than 100 people apply to join each camp, of which, about 10 percent are women.

The training fee is about 20,000 yuan ($3,200).

In the current camp, which started on Jan 1 and will last 21 days, only 33 trainees are left standing, including eight women, from the original 100 participants. The would-be bodyguards dropped out of the course after the strict physical examination and exhaustive training.

"We never make our trainees do high-intensity training. If they feel unhappy and intend to give up, we respect their efforts," Chen said. "Some of the training is indeed harsh and has some high risks, so the most important thing is to ensure every trainee's safety."

Shen Qinjuan, an employee at China Capital Guard Security Services, said the number of female applicants has gone up in recent years and female bodyguards may receive a high salary if they secure a job.

"Most of our trainees will devote themselves to security guard work in communities, schools and office buildings to do basic security work," she added.

A manager named Zhao at Jingcheng Zhengyuan, a Beijing private enterprise specializing in security guards, said it recruits 2,000 people a year, of which about 200 are women.

He added that the number of female security guards depends on clients' demands.

Zhao Yanru, 25, a female trainee at Tianjiao, was a college graduate with a major in tourism when she was attracted to the school after seeing a television show.

"I was deeply impressed and passionate after I watched women on TV do bodyguard work," said the Shanxi native. "I didn't think being a tour guide was suitable for me, because it's not cool and lacks challenge."

Zhao, who is about 1.7 meters tall and has a strong body, took a lot of time to convince her parents before she went to the camp.

She said she showed she was determined to be a bodyguard and finally received her mother's support.

She said she tried to prepare mentally and watched some videos when she applied to join the school, but the intensive exercise, such as pull-ups and long-distance running, were still beyond her expectations.

"It's hard, but I told myself to persist. After all, I've made the decision and want to strengthen my physical ability and learn teamwork awareness in emergency situations," she said. "I think I can do what men can do. No one forced me. It's my choice."

Wang Wenwen, 22, used to be a judo athlete. She said she became a trainee because she thought it was cool and heard bodyguards make a good salary, adding that her parents agreed to her applying.

"The training focuses more on thinking than physical qualities, which is different from what I expected," said Wang, who is also from Shanxi province.

"I've always had short hair since I was young. I love sports. Yes, lots of friends call me a tomboy, but I like it and think there will be a man who likes my style one day," she said, laughing.

Marco Borges, 38, a coach from Portugal with almost 20 years' experience as a security guard for VIPs back home, said the key to being a bodyguard is intelligence.

"We don't want our trainees to be big guys. We want them thinking, thinking and thinking," he said. "Some VIPs' wives and daughters also need protection, that's why we have female trainees.

"All the trainees are the same. Women can do everything. I give them the thumbs-up if they do a wonderful job, but I'm not too strict if they are wrong," he added.

At training on Wednesday morning, Borges shouted harshly at the men if they did not finish a task, but the women received the gentler question, "Do you want a coffee?"

caoyin@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 01/17/2013 page4)