Korean Job Discussion Forums

cubanlord · Joined: 08 Jul 2005 Location: In Japan!

I never thought I would see the day, but, it happened...today.

I have read a lot of stories on Dave's ESL Cafe about Koreans feeling like they have to out-do the foreigner when it comes to weight lifting. I have been working out in Korea on and off since I have been here. Today, I started up again with a leg and back workout. On with the story...

I walk in to this new gym; a very nice gym indeed. Costs 2,000WON ($2 USD) to workout. So I get in and stretch my legs. Then, I go to the leg press and do the following sets at the following weight:

Set 1 - 106 pounds - 15 reps
Set 2 - 200 pounds - 12 reps
Set 3 - 265 pounds - 10 reps
Set 4 - 350 pounds - 5 reps
Set 5 - 445 pounds - 5 reps

Upon starting set 3, I get an older gentleman (about 45 to 50 or so) that jumps in and does a rep at the 265 weight. The funniest thing is that he didn't even bring his knees to his chest, he only went half way, then, when the weight seemed too much, pushed the weight sled back up. So, I let him do his business and then I increased the weight. Again, he and now, his friends, were jumping in to see if they could do it. Now, you may be thinking, "it's a coincidence right?"...WRONG!

When I got up at the 350 mark to stretch my legs, one of the old men added an extra 20kg. to each side and waited for me to return (I was watching them the whole time but they didn't know). That idiot didn't even tell me. Imagine if that was past my weight! These idiots were trying to be funny. I could have been hurt! Thankfully I always check my weight first.

Anyways, I got down and did it. It was my last set....but they didn't know. So, I went off to work on my back and then the 4 of them stormed the machine and maxed it out (i.e. they added all of the weight they could to each side of the sled).

By this time, I was on the other side of the gym working on my back. However, I was watching them through the reflection on the mirror. These idiots, specifically one of them, almost ate it. It was too much weight for him so his friend had to spot him and help him push the weight back up. I couldn't help to feel pity for them. That is, I couldn't help to think that these guys have nothing better to do than 'compete' with me. Pathetic as it is, I am still laughing about it.

While this was happening, there was an older Korean lady just sitting back watching this whole thing laughing at the old men. You can just tell she wasn't laughing at me because she was very polite to me. But, when the older Korean men came up to do the same weight, well, she would just bust out laughing.

An interesting experience this was. I only hope those dudes are ok.

in_seoul_2003 · Joined: 24 Nov 2003

cubanlord · Joined: 08 Jul 2005 Location: In Japan!

garykasparov · Joined: 27 May 2007

seoulsucker · Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 12:54 am Post subject:

If I don't get dizzy or vomit, it's not a good leg workout. Cool

Love the looks I get in the gym when pushing through...sometimes I sound like I'm giving birth.

Thunndarr · Joined: 30 Sep 2003

normalcyispasse · Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 1:58 am Post subject:

Oh, I completely understand. I see this in the gym virtually every single day.

I'm actually a world record holder (APA/WPA federation, 220# drug-tested men's open) in deadlift. I enjoy being a competitive powerlifter. However, it seems like everyone wants to try to show me up.

The result is that I get these scrawny Korean guys who think they're hot shit doing "big weights" with virtually no ROM -- and with a spotter doing most of the work. The other day I watched a guy "bench-pressing" 140kg; that is, he was doing half-reps at MOST. His spotter was STRAPPED onto the bar and grunting and screaming! Here's a tip: If your spotter has to use wrist straps and is screaming from the load, YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG!

Normally I keep to myself. I was kicked out of one gym last year for "being scary" (read: threatening to the Koreans' masculinity; I never, ever scream, I always clean up my equipment -- more than I can say for anyone else -- and I try to keep to myself as much as possible). Yesterday, however, I'd had enough of a group of guys. They were, again, "bench-pressing." One guy loaded up the bar and proudly proclaimed to his buddies, "백육십 키로!" "160kg!" I watched as he "pressed" the weight for half-reps with his buddy straining to spot him.
I walked over. I counted the weight in front of his friends. "Oh, 140kg? Not 160!" I said in Korean. "Me too." I immediately benched the weight for a set of 7, each rep a full range of motion and under control with no spotter. "Like this!" I said to him (in Korean). "Touch your chest!"

When his buddies stopped "whoaaaa!"ing me I walked off and watched him try the weight again. Needless to say, he failed abjectly.

It actually embarrasses me when this sort of thing happens. It feels like it cheapens my sport and my accomplishments. I suppose there's really nothing to be done about it, however.

jaganath69 · Joined: 17 Jul 2003

I lift pretty much the heaviest loads at my gym. Nobody seems to be threatened by it. They are a good bunch of old fellas who are respectful and always say hi. Maybe I am living in an alternate dimension.

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

Anyone know of any good sites w/ pre-made regiments for lifting...I hate to think too hard... Very Happy

The_Conservative · Joined: 15 Mar 2007

jaderedux · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Lurking outside Seoul

Yeah, I know see this all the time and I am a woman. The thing I hate is I can't push myself very hard on the free weights cuz can't get a spotter. I go in the morning and the adjossi brigade is pi$$ed off already that women dare come into their gym.

But I am getting strong again and would like to start benching a bit and doing more free weights but it is impossible to get a spotter. When I do the free weights in the "free weight section". The aisshhhh and sucking teeth begins. I ignore it but back home getting a spotter was easy. Folks would offer to help spot for each other and trade off doing reps.

I watch these guys and they are walking adverts for sports injuries. Constantly popping and jerking about. One guy I know is going to blow out his knees if he doesn't stop popping up when he does squats. I wince every time I see him. Poor guy has been going over a year and he has not made any noticeable progress cuz he does the same work out every day. No warm up, no cardio and only upper body.

Some days I just want to scream...break down your weights you thoughtless gits. I used to belong to Gold's gym back in the states and there was etiquette involved. I mean you didn't leave bars loaded up and you replaced weights back where they belonged. Spotters were easy to find and everyone was good about trading off reps on weights or machines.

Oh well this is korea....whaddya gonna do?

Jade

garykasparov · Joined: 27 May 2007

The_Conservative · Joined: 15 Mar 2007

Thunndarr · Joined: 30 Sep 2003

jaganath69 · Joined: 17 Jul 2003

I think the trick is to be assertive with these guys who want to show you what to do. Some kid at my last gym tried this, and I told him in no uncertain terms that he was encroaching on my space and to back the f*ck off. I've lifted long enough to be able to correct my form by myself, thank you very much. Perhaps learning to say 'thanks but no thanks' in Korean in a firm but polite tone would make a difference.