Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Tarma]

I normally get my exercise from walking but it's a bit too cold for that now.
So, I'll join a gym. I've never joined a gym before. What questions should I ask? Other than the obvious ones about cost. What things should I look for if taking a tour of the gym?

[bethanyp]

I worked for a well known chain of gyms in the US so I am not sure if my knowledge is very applicable to a gym in Korea... contract agreements may be different etc. But here a few recommendations:

1. Would your membership allow for you to go everyday or only on certain days? This may sound strange but sometimes you'll hear an awesome deal for a membership that is $20 usd a month to find out that you can only go Mon, Wed, Fri. But again... not sure how applicable this is

2. Do you see staff walking around and cleaning the machines and does the staff have a regular daily cleaning regime for the locker rooms? If they don't wipe machines after use for you, do they make the supplies available? (My current gym has antibacterial disposable wipes to wipe down the weights and aerobic machines after use.) If your gym isn't big on the hourly cleaning, and some aren't, take your own precautions i.e. hand washing and avoiding the sauna/steam room and pool. The warm moist places are awesome environments for little buggies that get you sick!

3. How long is your contract? Can you adjust it for your stay in Korea if need be? If you need to cancel, how much notification do they need and is there a fee?

4. What is your equipment responsibility? If you're on the rowing machine or whatever and the thing breaks or something happens, are you liable? In my experience most gyms take responsibility for their own equipment but I worked in one where they charged a guy for a failed sauna... long story but I don't feel like he had any fault in the matter.

5. If you decide to stay with the gym for time extending beyond your current contract or should you want to renew will the price change much?

6. If there is anything that is important to you and it is not in writing get it in writing. I have heard that contracts in Korea aren't always iron clad tight... and I don't really know if that is true to be honest. But if you have something in writing and a misunderstanding occurs you can at least use the written agreement as a friendly reminder of the terms of your membership.

7. Also, ask if you pay in full say 6 months of membership dues do they give a discounted price. It's incentive to get your butt to the gym because you paid so much and it's incentive for them to keep you as a member because there's no risk of you not paying your bill. My gym does this... but again not sure how applicable this is in Korea.

That's the best I got from my experience. Hope it helps. Something to think about too ask yourself, "Do I feel comfortable here?" With any gym if you don't get the right vibe then it's not the gym for you... and you should keep shopping. I personally don't like the feeling of working out in goldfish bowl so I usually don't go to gyms with large windows where the "passerbys" on the street that can watch. But if you like to people watch, or you like to be watched then it wouldn't be deal breaker for you.

This way longer than I anticipated.... sorry I can be long winded

[naturegirl321]

Depends on what type of exercise you do. Make sure they have the machines you want to use. ASk also about yoga, spinning and if they're included in the cost.

Ask about the cost, in the sense, that some will give discounts if you pay X months up front.

When they're open is also good to know.

[blackjack]

Depends what you want

look at the other people in the gym do you feel comfortable? If you are a small lady you may feel uncomfortable if there are a bunch of weightlifters. You don't want to feel self conscience in a gym you want to be able to relax.

Go at a busy time of the day (or the time which you would go), are the machines that you would use busy?

Check the bathrooms, are they clean?

Do they offer classes?

Do they have an area for stretching?

What other extras are offered squash courts, swimming pools, saunas, heavy weights.

as for memberships the only options I have seen are daily, monthly, 3 monthly and 6 monthly

typical prices range between 50 and 80,000 for a month. There is normally the option of using the gym clothes and hiring a locker.

[ytuque]

I always visit the gym at the time that I would be using it. How crowded is it, and what's the atmosphere like.

[Gibberish]

[Hightop]

One of the most important things to ask is what time they open and close and also what days they are closed. It is useless to sign up with a gym that closes at 8pm if you like to work out at night. Go at the time time you like to work out to make sure that there are not too many people and the stuff you want to use is not being dominated. Make sure they provide towels. Of course the longer you sign up for the cheaper it will be per month. And of course do not pay the price they tell you first or the price that is one the wall. I have been a member of 3 different gyms in Seoul and all had high listed prices, if you tell them you want a discount or you will not join them they will give it to you. I think that for the mom and pop gyms it is not usual to sign a contract here. The one I go to now I just pay them every 6 months and they remind me when the 6 months is up. But remember if you sign up for a long period you can be in trouble if the gym goes under. When California fitness went down a while back a lot of people lost out.

[eIn07912]

Do you have weights?

Is it possible for me to use those weights?

If I use those weights, is it likely I will experience some muscle growth? Little muscle growth? No muscle growth?

Do you have running machines, bike machines, or other machines for which I can use to activate my cardiovascular system?

If I use your weights and your cardio machines, is it possible for me to lose fat and tone muscle?

Do I have to use the weights and machines to achieve those results? Is simply joining the gym enough to create the change I desire?



... for Pete's sake, it's joining a gym, not applying for astronaut school. Look around, do they have the things you need? Can you afford it? Is it open when you need it? Okay then, there you go. Why create a whole new thread topic on this? If you're not smart enough to know how to join a gym, perhaps you should just stick to walking. I take it just putting one foot in front of the other is difficult enough for you.

[Dude Ranch]

squat rack

[UknowsI]

[Gucci Mane]

ayyo just ask suckaz why they is wanna spar witchu nah mean, strap on da gloves mang an' u gon feell dat PAIN if u step to the ring wit me u wanna play fo' stacks imma ball it up wit my YOO YANG and straight knock suckaz out dont' be callin me out if u aint gon SWANG

-gucci OUT

CONSIDA THE ISSHYA

[Gibberish]

I don't get if that's supposed to be funny or not

[conrad2]

Do you have any plans to pull out your equipment in the middle of the night and leave an empty building so as I lose 10 months of membership fees; right after you just had a huge promotion to sign up new members. ( This recently happened to gym goes in Kangnam. )

[oskinny1]

Am I required to wear the stupid gym uniform that is all stretched out and nasty looking?

[nautilus]

"Please don't try to touch me while I'm doing my exercises or I'll drop the 60kg barbell on your foot"