Korean Job Discussion Forums

[gochubandit]

i know this has been done to death, but i wanted an update. any cheap gyms that somewhat remotely resemble american ones (free weights and cardio most important) in the kangnam area that are cheap? if so, where and at what price? thx

[uberscheisse]

california fitness is the quick and easy answer. there's one right near rodeo, and they just opened a second location near gangnam station.

i used to pay about 180,000 for 3 months at a crappy little gym. now i pay about 96,000 per month (it can fluctuate, depending on which staffer you can wheel and deal) at CF and i'm much happier.

the music there sounds like the soundtrack to an 80s gay porno though. bring your mp3 player.

[hogwonguy1979]

Calif is the best place to go no doubt. I got 2 years for 1.3 which breaks down to 55k/month. Know some people who have gotten "lifetime" memberships for around 1.2. After the 3rd year it becomes 100k/year.

Facilities are first rate, and the scenery is pretty good too.

[gochubandit]

[uberscheisse]

[quote="kigga34"]

[hogwonguy1979]

2 things about Calif:

1) I was able to pay it out over 6 months 216k/month no interest on a korean c.c. which I have

2) location of Apu club: Best way is get off at Gangnam-gu office on line 7 go out exit 3 walk north and grab a bus near the 7-11 the bus will take less than 5 minutes, get off in front of the burger king or walk from the subway station its about 600 meters from the station

[bobbyhanlon]

i nearly joined california fitness in apgujong, but the smarminess of their sales manager totally put me off. they offered the 2 year deal at a good price (like the previous poster mentioned) but the guy was full of those typical insulting sales tactics, like the whole 'you can only have this deal today, if you sign up now!' trick, along with the general snake-like demeanour usually reserved for only used car salesmen. his name is yoon song, so if you can register without talking to this clown, you'll have a much more pleasant day.

[helly]

Hey folks, be careful of signing up for long term contracts with health clubs. If the place goes under, your money is gone (likely along with anything you had stored in a locker.)

There were some scams a few years back and it sounded like this was a pretty frequent occurrence - set up gym, collect huge amounts in pre-pays, lock the doors and disappear.

A more likely scenario would be set up gym, go into huge debt, lock the doors and disappear.

Either way, your one-year up front membership is gone. CF is probably safe but you can never be sure. If they set up franchise sites around the country, I would guess that the locations in smaller cities would be just as vulnerable as anything else.

[hogwonguy1979]

[uberscheisse]

the dudes in the office at CF are pansies. they will suck their teeth and try to give you the hard sell, like "today is the LAST DAY FOR THIS OFFER!!! AFTER THIS THE WHOLE HEALTH CLUB TURNS INTO A RADISH!!! YOU MUST SIGN NOW!!!"

and then when you've been going there for a few months you realize they put up these balloons that say "LAST DAYS" on them all over the place... every second week.

i asked them if they were all members of some apocalyptic cult - judging by the music they play there, it's entirely possible - but they just said "oh, we have a special offer ending today".

my experience is the same as in any asian market - you will look skeptical and 'about to leave' and you'll suddenly get that crazy discount that is "only for you, because you are my friend". i got it.

basically - if you get the 300,000 won joining fee cut down to around 40-50,000, with a roughly 100,000 won monthly fee, you're set. they will try to hose you, but just pretend you're buying clothes in bangkok.

my buddy signed up, paid all his fees in one lump sum and got a whole second year free. that was a little crazy.

[gochubandit]

ok, i meant the CF near the gangnam station. apku seems like too much of a walk in the freezing cold.