Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ieatsmurfs6]

So the weather is warming up pretty quickly and I, like many others, have begun working out outdoors. I run between 4-6km three or four times a week. I live in a residential area that is nothing short of perfect for running in. From my front door, I can run through a park that stretches through several blocks of prefab, apartment buildings all the way to a park that is great for running.

On this journey I inevitably run into a number of people outdoors with the families, significant others and what not, just enjoying themselves. A lot of them are exercising, although it seems that I'm the only person who runs and it also seems like I get extra attention for it. The other people who are exercising are usually doing one of these:

1) Ajummas who walk normally while bending their arms at 45 degrees each stride.
2) People on the park "equipment." Either rocking back and forth on something, or pivotting on this little metal disc.
3) People walking backwards (...!?)
4) People doing semi-yoga (yoga is only stretching, and they're not even doing that right).
5) People walking carrying those plastic, 1 lb. weights.

...and so on. These are the ones I see most regularly.

Do they seriously think that any of these count as exercise? It's outrageous (and entertaining). I think there needs to be a mass awareness campaign or something demonstrating to Koreans what exercising really is. Most of these "exercises" that they're doing don't benefit them any more than walking (or typing).

The kids have got it right... they either chase each other, climb things or play team sports. The adults seem to have never worked out a day in their lives.

[VanIslander]

response 1: you gotta remember Koreans were farmers just a couple of short generations ago (which poster made that argument eloquently?)

response 2: a preference for superficiality, for the looks of it rather than the real thing, is endemic to the culture

response 3: it is funny, isn't it? like how Koreans "swim", over half of my students say they can but where they do more than splash around in shallow water is beyond me

[Pwillig]

I love the ones in my gym who stay there 2 hours + hitting machines at random.

I wonder how weird I look doing HIITs on the treadmills...

[Goku]

It's becuase they spend 80% of their awake life, studying hard and sitting in a chair. it would be impossible to impose anything more strenous. Most would collapse outright.

Although, I laugh at ome of of the ridiculous exercise machines. The best one I saw was a set of two wheels that you turn in towards yourself to mimic the smallest rowing motion imaginable. Think of having two car steering wheels and making that an exercise.

Of course, I can understnad that small kids and ajummas are the ones using these superfical exercise machines to just loosen the body than to actually get any real workout done.

The real exercise machines and the real people who exercise are at the gym. Everyone else is just "loosening their body"

Although I think something is better than nothing.

[PeteJB]

Fast walking (and swinging of arms) is good for the joints and has some benefits for older people. What, you expect ajummas to be hitting the bench?

[The Gipkik]

I see this kind of exercise all the time. It's never struck me as odd. I'd say they are de-stressing and relaxing more than anything. Tai Chi style. The exercise frenzy that has captivated N. America strikes me as equally lunatic.

[harlowethrombey]

Yes, granted sometimes the 'exercise' here seems silly to us, but a few things:

1) Most of us come from western countries with a deep, sometimes unhealthy, obsession with sports so, at a young age we all learned (maybe) how to run, throw a ball and lift weights. Again maybe, because I have plenty of friends who were never taught how to throw a spiral football or how to run correctly.

2) Those little exercises the old people are doing arent meant to make them cut, they're to loosen their joint and get their blood flowing.

3) Again, its a bit innappropriate to sneer down at other people's exercise when some of us other posters could look down on yours, too. I'm not trying to berate you, but its all relative.

4) Comparing obesity rates here and back home as well as standard of health in the elderly doesnt come out too favorably for westerners so the old folks here must be doing something right if they're climbing a d*&n mountain every weekend.

[tired of LA]

[SunnyD]

I am interested in what kinds of fitness are being promoted to the Korean people. There is a gov't initiative called "Sport for All" and they have an office in my city. I plan to visit there soon (hopefully this week) to see what in the world they are promoting and how. I hope to get some info to share with other foreigners regarding fitness/sports facilities, classes, equipment availability, etc. Wish me luck on that! I'm a trainer, and I want to support our accessibility to exercise and sporty activities.

Regarding yoga, it commonly is perceived as only stretching. However, there are a variety of types of yoga, with all different levels of strenuous-ness. Yoga done in a "flow" style is a great workout that can be adjusted to the person's ability. The poses are connected into a smooth sequence of movements. Depending on how fast the yogi moves through the sequence, or how long certain challenging poses are held, it can be a great workout for the muscles, improving balance and range of motion, and even for making cardiovascular gains. Yoga flow is a challenging workout!

~sunnyd

[ieatsmurfs6]

[michaelambling]

[skdragon]

Always thought it funny that Koreans tend to walk on 'running machines' and that most western guys here try to get everybody to run on the treadmills. I for one enjoy a good power walk on a treadmill and hate running on one of them.

[D.D.]

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Well, it's still better than getting in the SUV and going down to 7/11 for a supersized slurpee.

My favourite was a guy who would spend minutes slapping a tree near my place. He probably had a lot of agression that needed releasing.

[michaelambling]