Liu Boming was the first taikonaut to begin extravehicular activity (EVA) at 8:11 am (Beijing Time) on July 4. Three hours later, his fellow crew member Tang Hongbo stepped outside the Tianhe core module, and took part in a spacewalk before the two of them adjusted a panoramic camera.

　　However, the third taikonaut Nie Haisheng, also the mission commander, did not follow them out. He stayed inside the cabin and worked with systems onboard Shenzhou-12, operating the smart robotic arm to ensure the two spacewalking taikonauts can complete their mission. According to China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the robotic arm is 10.2 meters long and capable of carrying 25 tons of weight. Many people will have seen a similar example on the American TV series Space Force.

　　Wearing upgraded Chinese Feitian spacesuits, Liu and Tang completed the first Shenzhou-12 out-of-cabin mission successfully and stored tools needed for future tasks in the space station.

　　During their time in space, among other tasks Liu installed the upper arm bracket for the robotic arm, after which he started to move with the robotic arm's assistance. Meanwhile, Tang used the handrails installed on the bulkhead to crawl to the operating point for auxiliary work, during which an emergency return verification was required in time.

　　Liu and Tang took about seven hours to complete their spacewalk tasks. A second spacewalk is planned in the near future.

　　Apart from the spacewalk, taikonauts also carried out a variety of fitness exercises inside the space station.

　　If you watch CCTV (Chinese Central Television) footage released on June 28, you could see taikonaut Nie install the space treadmill and then spend 15 minutes running on it.

　　The space gym was set up with the help of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation(CASC). Its purpose is to help taikonauts maintain their fitness in real-time in the space environment. According to fitness experts, the gym capacity can ensure that a maximum of six taikonauts can meet their daily physical training requirements. Unlike the traditional gyms back home, the space gym in the Tianhe core module is equipped with different "black technologies,” such as a space bicycle, space treadmill and other machines.

　　Life in space is obviously different from ordinary life. Taikonauts must keep up their fitness levels to prevent possible physical damage caused by weightlessness during their long-term stay. When living in a low gravity condition, the blood circulation will flow more to the upper body and brain. Without enough exercise, human bones will lose density quickly. The bone cells regenerate and grow slowly, which will cause the bones to become fragile. As time in space increases, the situation will become more and more serious. As a result, astronauts need to workout for at least two hours every day, which will help astronauts reduce muscle atrophy and bone loss.

　　It can be seen from the China Central Television (CCTV) footage that when Tang is doing running exercises, his leg motion aims to stimulate and strengthen his cardiovascular system.

　　Tang also did a pedaling exercise on the Space-bicycle with a special respirator on his mouth, which can strengthen the cardiopulmonary function. Moreover, a special device for upper-limb exercise was also installed to increase the overall exercise effect of the taikonauts in the gym.

　　Netizens who watched the taikonauts exercising on TV were envious of the state of the art equipment, eager to get space gym membership.