Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Kuraudo]

I find it hard to search in Korean . I tried to define "fitness center" on Nate to Korean but it doesn't come up with anything? GYM translates into a literal gym for gym athletes. You see , i just need a basic place to lift weights and do some cardio.

How does one go about entering what thing they want in a particular district?

Anyways I'm looking for a decent fitness club membership in this area.
I'm about a KM south of the Ogeum station. I would prefer if theres a gym in walking distance. Its hassle to get all sweaty on the subway...

Thanks!

[eIn07912]

Welcome Kuraudo,

I live at Ogeum Station, maybe I can help you out a little.

There are 3 gyms within easy walking distance of Ogeum, problem is they all have significant drawbacks.

The first one is above the Hanna Bank (across the street from the back side of the police station.) It's big, nice, and new. They have lots of machines, some free weights, tons of cardio equipment, and racquetball courts. Problem is it's closed every other Wednesday, not many hours on the weekend (if open at all,) and it's about 150,000 or 200,000 a month. Plus you have to wear their ridiculous gym clothes.

The second is Southeast of the station and is kind of near the south end of the prison on the main road. It's above a Home Plus Express. This one is a bit cheaper in price, but it's super small and is about 95% treadmills. There is one small weight station in the back and you'll probably be sharing it with 10 other guys any time you go in there. It's basically useless as a weight lifting gym. Great if you just want to run though.

The third is down the road, past the Police Hospital and it's in the basement of a really nice apartment complex. It's open really late, till 12 I think. It has a sauna, free weights, machines, and lots of cardio stuff. My friend just said he pays about 80 there a month, but I think you have to sign up for 3 months or more at a time. So a lot up front, but I think it may be worth it. Drawback is, it's kind of far down the road. One subway stop away by train. It may not seem like much, but if you have to walk there and back in the rain (which is quite common) it can get really old really fast. Maybe not so bad if you have a bike.

Anyways man (or woman) hope you appreciate that. You lucked out we live nearby and I'm in the mood to write and give advice this morning.

Btw, where are you working? This part of town is flooded with foreigners. There are about a dozen in my apartment building alone (I'm not joking about that) I also see several in the area on a daily basis. So you're bound to make friends and meet people no matter where you choose to work out or hand out around here.

Enjoy your stay.

[Kuraudo]

^ I can put a bet we've met before (live in the same Garak dong building by the Childrens park) and/or you were recruited for Epik? Let me see.. do u have a guitar?

Yeah the 3rd one sounds like the best bet. Bringing the umbrella to the gym and through the subway system might get old but the other 2 don't sound like options at all.
I guess I take for granted the easy access and cheap 24 dollar weight rooms at 24 hour fitness in the states and the inexpensive, easily accesible protein powders.

So how do u get there? Take Ogeum station to ... then what?
I think I'll need my co teacher to make a deal? Do i need my arc or passport?
Also do they speak English at all? just pay cash up front?

Thanks a lot man

[eIn07912]

No I don't have a guitar and I don't think we've met before. Like I said, there are dozens of us around here.

If you come out of Ogeum St. Exit 5, walk straight for a good 8 or 10 minutes. When you get to the police hospital, take a right (of course you could just get off at the police hospital station, but I have no idea the station numbers there.) After you take a right, go one block. You'll see the big apartment buildings across the street and on the left. As to what it takes to sign up, I'm not sure as I don't work out there currently, though probably will soon. Typical you do need an ARC though. Shouldn't need a Korean to help you. Just be patient if they don't speak English, you can mime things enough until you figure everything out.

All gyms are a little bit different as far as their sign up routine. Some you can sign up anytime, others you have to wait for a specific date of the month. Some have membership limits, some don't. Some allow month-to-month, others you have to sign up for a few months at a time. Some you have to wear their special gym clothes, (generally don't fit Western frames though), some just have a dress code (i.e. shirts on at all times, no outside shoes, stuff like that.) Best bet is to just go there on an intelligence gathering and recon mission and then plan to get set up next month.

One thing to consider though, September has a huge holiday (Chuseok) biggest holiday of the year for Koreans. Kind of like Korean Thanksgiving or harvest festival, but celebrated like Christmas back home. Almost everything minus some restaurants and major shopping centers are going to be closed for 3 days or a week. So keep that in mind. They might offer a discount for September, but probably not. So you'll be paying for a month but only get 3 weeks use at best. I'm probably just going to keep working out outside through this month and go there in October.

[Kuraudo]

Great! So its right next to Ogeum station or I'm hopping in the subway and exiting at 5?
Can u also tell me the name of this gym? Do they call them gyms here or fitness centers or health clubs?
So im glad I don't have to wear a uniform.

I met a dozen foreigners myself. They all live in this J House building.

Thanks, i do feel lucky

[nadie]

I live at Ogeum as well! I was just wondering if you had ended up joining the gym near the police hospital. I was googling to gather some information on gyms near my apt, the infamous J House, and came across this thread.