Let me just start by saying that the best part of my Korean gym is that they have those fat jiggling machines from the mid-20th century. I love them! I don’t use them (because they are almost always occupied), but I love that they are there.
Now that that’s out of the way, here’s the rest…
At the front desk they have these grey uniforms you can wear (it’s also a jjimjilbang… more on that later). Of course, considering my left thigh is larger than the waist band… I bring my own clothes.
Once you enter there’s this confusing shoe system that took me forever to figure out. When you walk in you take off your shoes to walk in the hallway to the locker room — and in that hallway there are small lockers for your outside shoes. Then, once you’re upstairs at the gym you have to put on your gym shoes. This is actually more confusing that it sounds due to the multiple floors, multiple rooms, and multiple hallways — and trying to figure out which is outside-friendly, sock-friendly, and gym-friendly.
There’s an attendant in the locker room (I’m pretty sure he lives there… not joking) selling shampoo, razors, toothbrushes, etc. He never seems to look at me with anything other than hatred, but I’m used to that.
Also, there’s usually a guy or two asleep on the floor or in a chair or on a bench, which is not a problem unless they’re asleep in front of my locker, which happens from time to time.
And it’s not just a gym, but also a sauna/jjimjilbang, so there are many standing and sitting showers, two hot tubs, one cold tub, and two saunas. And upstairs by the gym there’s a big unisex sleeping room where you just pull up a mat and sleep for the night, or afternoon…
And the gym… the gym is not as nice as what I am used to, but it’s interesting. The aerobic machines all have manual controls with only eight levels. So, if I want to go up a level I have to crank this small wheel — a task that is usually more difficult than the actually exercise.
And as I said before, they have those fat jiggling machines. I haven’t seen the strappy one in about 20 years, and I’ve never seen the one with the wooden rollers. I think these things were proven to not work like 40 years ago, but people seem to enjoy them.
And lastly, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of focus on strength building at my gym. This in turn has made me one of the strongest people there. One time while I was resting between sets, a man came up to me, lifted my weights, gave up, then gave me the thumbs up sign (along with several minutes of Korean). Now all I need is a strappy Gold’s Gym tank top, a fake tan, and an attitude.
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adam, i loved this. i wish my gym was a little more entertaining, i might visit it more!!!
Yes… it’s always entertaining. Another fun part is that no one uses headphones when watching the TV’s, so there’s this odd mix of Olympics, pop music, and dramas all going on at the same time… :)
That piece of equipment truly IS ancient. I used to love it for my thighs (almost sitting on it) back in the early 70s. Oh my goodness!
I love the picture of people sitting and lying on the floor in front of the TV. Thats my idea of a good time at the gym.
You are hilarious. I love Culture Shock: The Misadventures of Adam Nicholson in Korea.
Adam, of course the machines work. They have been around to long not to. You know that.
Hi Adam! I love this post and your top ten posts. Your blog rocks! Also, I eventually want to hear about this cancelled vacation business. Hope you’re doing well!
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