Korean Job Discussion Forums

[UberJRI]

Hello everyone,

I can't seem to find much information on this, so I thought I'd ask you all. I'll be in Korea in August, and joining a gym is one of my first priorities. What's the average price range I can expect if I pay month by month? I saw that someone said that Human Active (or something like that) charged 150,000 won per month if you purchase a membership by the month. Is this the high end of the cost? I understand that it's cheaper if you buy several months worth of membership ahead of time. I'll be in Gwangju, if that helps. Thanks in advance.

[thematrixiam]

I have seen as cheap as 50 a month...

I paid 180 for 3 months... doing the math, that would be, carry the 8.5, divide by 7.... 60,000 won a month. That was relatively close to central seoul, 'guro digital'.

They all range. Hunt and seek. Find something that has a good price. and try to look around. I got a little ripped off, in that the weights at my gym were way to small for my physique. I was maxing out the equipment on the first day there. This was after probably a good 2 years of not working out. So check out what they have for actual weights and how high they go up.

1kg is about 2.2 lbs. I think. so do some math, and crunch the numbers. If the dumbells go higher than 25kg (55 lbs) then you are doing better than my gym.

Also make sure you ask for the price of JUST the gym. It helps to flex your muscles and screech like a monkey. And say anneyo Galp-u, while swinging an imaginary stick at an equally imaginary tee.

Some places actually have a 'shower fee'. As stupid as it sounds.
Some will limit the amount of visits and time per week as well.

If you're like me, you'd rather shower at home anyways, saves the awkward glances at your nethers. You're gonna get enough just dressing and walking around, let alone being totally naked and a crowd hoping you drop the soap.

Things like sauna fees, squash fees, jazz fees, instructor fees, may all come up.

If you're just looking to beef up/slim down and you know how to use a gym properly, just try to get the basic. Even when you're asking for prices. They may not have it marked down correctly.

[traveler81]

I had a new gym open up the street and offer a 90,000 won/3 month membership deal (comes to 30,000 won a month). Not a bad deal by any stretch.

I looked at the other plans they had and they were similar or better for extended memberships (up to 12 months).

My best recommendation is to ask around for nearby gyms in your area both near work and home. Then go check them out--look at the facilities and the membership fees you'll probably find one that suits your needs better than others.

[UberJRI]

Thanks for the advice. When I saw that somebody posted a membership cost of 150,000, I got a little scared! I'm glad that that's not really an average price.

[crusher_of_heads]

I had the choice of 120 000 for 3 months or 300 000 for the year. As it's a big place that also has dining halls in th esame building on the 3rd and 4th floors, I droppd the 300 000.

[xCustomx]

I paid about 90,000/month in Bundang, but now I'm paying 30,000/month in Suji

[planthopps]

many gyms offer the 90 thousand won for three months deal. At my gym you are provided with clothes for only 10 thousand won more. It is nice not to have to worry about laundry etc. My gym is also 24시 or open 24 hours.

[machellebelle]

Any recommendations for gyms in Cheongdam or close to Apgujeong? Preferably 24 hours, or at least open early and late.
I got here right before California Fitness closed, glad I didn't go there.

[snowcreeks]

Hi, I live in Gangnam, near Yoeksam. Anyone know any gym with the 90,000 won for 3 months deal? I am willing to go a bit farther as well. Thanks! I need the names of the gyms.

[wylies99]

I've had as high as 150,000 for 3 months and 90,000 for 3 months. The odd thing was that the 90,000 gym was the best one.

[kikatwist]

[Yesterday]

I pay 100,000won for a 3-month period (at MongChontoseong Station) the gym is small sized but comes with Golf range also..

It has everything a Large "glamourous" gym would have

but it is "not glamourous" which is why its well priced..

just go there and exercise and leave

(it provides everything - free towels, gym clothes, lockers etc etc)

why pay so much to join a glamorous gym and then have to put up with all the "idiots" who go there...

my gym is almost empty between 9~1pm which is when I go- suits me well.

[curlygirl]

Some of the smarter officetels have their own gymnasiums - have you checked to see if yours does? I pay W10,000 per month at my gym - no showers but I live upstairs so that's hardly a problem. There's a squat rack, plenty of free weights and the usual aerobic and weight machines. There is hardly ever more than 3 people in there at one time and I'm usually alone. The only downside is that the dumbells only go up to 12 kg which sucks if you want to do dumbell pullovers and the like. But hey, for W10,000 per month I'm happy to make do.

[BobbyOrr]

I pay 150 000 for 3 months, which I think is pretty good (I never saw a 90x3 deal). I'd suggest looking around quite a bit before you decide. I had a Korean co-worker help me on Naver. Although hard to find, gyms are everywhere.

As mentioned, some have incomplete sets of dumbells or sets that max out way early. It's also hard to find a gym with a squat rack (oh how I miss a squat rack).

And I'd suggest going to the gym around the time(s) you want to work out. Koreans tend to socialize/hang out in the gym and if it's crazy busy around the time you want to workout, it would be super frustrating to be tripping over people.

[pie eater]