The Gym, Part 1

I'm no stranger to the gym. I've worked out all my life and held several gym memberships in the past. So I can honestly say that my inaugural visit to the Korean gym last week was the first time I've ever felt like an outsider in a workout zone.

The gym I'm now using is only a 5 minute walk from my place, and it's both a spa and workout area rolled into one. It's quite nice, and comparable to an upscale North American gym, but there are a few major differences I noted shortly after arriving.

1. The Changerooms
When it comes to Korean locker rooms, the word de jour is nude. Nudity everwhere. And not the kind of nudity where a woman is wearing flip flops and a towel draped around her waist while she walks briskly from her locker to the shower area. No. I'm talking birthday-suit styles. Nada. Nothing. Not even a hair clip. And it's not just while walking around the changeroom getting ready. It's lounging around watching tv in the common area nudity. Gabbing with your girlfriends while grabbing a bite to eat at the snack bar nudity. Oh yes. Clothing is definitely optional.

2. Shoes
Shoes in Korea are a big deal. You never wear your outdoor shoes inside a house, school, changeroom, etc. I've actually learned to appreciate this custom since moving here, it just feels a lot cleaner. Visiting the gym was challenging though, because I have only one pair of indoor/outdoor runners, so I had to get creative and wash them in the changroom before entering the workout area. I prayed that no one would notice, or I'm sure I would've been yelled at - in Korean. And being yelled at in Korean is a lot scarier than being yelled at in English.

3. Gym Clothes
I'm not sure if this is just my gym, or Korean gyms in general, but they give everyone workout uniforms. Thankfully the provided clothes are optional (cuz they're pink and grey and ug-ly) but I have to admit it was cute and little bit funny to watch all these tiny Korean women trotting about in matching outfits.

4. The Machines
Hahahaha this was one of my fave parts. 90% of the workout machines are standard gym equipment: treadmills, stairclimbers, free weights, etc. But the other 10% are freaking hilarious. There was an entire wall of machinery that I'm pretty sure went out of style back in the 50's. Like those weird fat-juggling machines where you hook a strap around your lower back and the strap vibrates. Or this long bench where you lie down flat and it slowly tips back until you are all the way upside down. I don't know of any physical benefit to using this equipment, but the Koreans sure love it.

So aside from a few suprises, I give the overall gym experience a thumbs up. Honestly though, I was so excited to be able to work out properly for the first time since moving here, they probably could've shown me a room with a giant hamster-wheel and I would've been happy.

This isn't the end of my gym story, but I'll continue tomorrow. I met someone there the other day (a Korean personal trainer) but he really deserves his own post. And the award for Busan's Most Irritating Person.

To be continued...