Korean Job Discussion Forums

[dpl]

I'm coming in a few days. One of the first things I plan on doing is getting a membership. I've already found out how much they cost and where they are in my neighborhood and stuff.

I am hoping you guys can offer some other information. Are they the same as US/CAN gyms or are there things that are totally different? Are there things I definitely should/shouldn't do? And finally, what is K-pop?

[kimcheechochy]

Well, they do have many similar machines that we have. They do have this belt jiggling machine that kind of gives you a massage. That is different. But everything else is pretty standard. Koreans really like treadmills. Just be polite and you should be fine.

My one friend commented that Korean men liked to flex naked in front of him in the change room. Maybe that is because my friend is pretty built and they want to compare with him. I have never experienced anything like that.

Maybe you should bring your mp3 player with you. They tend to play terrible music at the gyms.

K-pop is Korean top-40 music. For the most part, it's terrible. But the girls that sing (or lip-sych) it are nice to look at.

Check out Korea's most famous star EE-Hyor-EE http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZYqh_WFVS3I

[ernie]

and DON'T wear your shoes into the locker room... i guess the logic is that it's better for everyone to share foot fungus on the off chance that someone might bust out a full-course meal on the floor! my rule is, if you see a big pile of shoes, you should probably take em off, too...

[victorology]

dpl, if you're still in the U.S. you might want to contemplate doing what I did.

If you're going to be near Myeongdong, Apgujeong or Gangnam Station, you might want to sign up for a prepaid 24 hour fitness deal. I think I did 3 years for $600 + tax. You can then transfer it to the California Wow gyms here.

If you're not going to be near one, it'll probably be better to get a membership near your home/work.

Gyms here are pretty similar to America, though. I do think they try to sell personal training a bit harder. I can't work out at the Apgujeong California Wow without having a trainer come up to me once during my workout. Don't get it at Gangnam.

[huck]

[victorology]

[ruffie]

I love my gym. Yes, the music sucks, but I have my precious ipod to rescue me from Tell Me Tell Me. I even use the Edwardian Titanic-esqe fat giggler machine for the fun of it. Noone bugs me, and after 6 months of working out 6 days a week I've lost 8 kgs of fat, gained tons of muscle and will go back to Canada looking great. None of the workers there speak a lick of English, so thats great (if you already know the routine you want and are familiar witht he equipment types). In my experience, if the workers have good English they will bug you to death, ruining your experience. My gym is in a residential area, so it's mostly the 30+ crowd, serious about getting in shape. Not so many young girls in full makeup or young guys looking to prove something to the foreigner. If you're serious about getting in shape, I would suggest a smaller setup with an older clientele.