I have tried a lot of fitness routines in my life but nothing has worked quite like simply living in South Korea — where exercise is not a chore, it is just what life looks like here.
Korea has been really good for me. I have pretty much stayed on a fitness regimen since I arrived and in all honesty am almost back to my 24 year old shape…holy moly! But the thing is, here in Korea, fitness comes easy. We now have the full on hiking gear, and it is even somewhat matching just like a couple in Korea should.
When I ask my students what sports they know, first they stare at me blankly, then, out comes taekwando in which Korea is its origin. Then they say ice skating (yuna kim) badminton is another sport that the kids play often, or even attend academy for. I have heard squash, sward fighting, boxing, baseball (the kia tigers being huge), hiking, yoga, biking…its all here.
The easy part about it is, is that our daily routines not only encourage exercise but almost demand it. On the weekends we head out on a hike, either close by on the ride or the mountain…the Koreans pass us everytime, high tailing it up the mountain decked out in their professional gear. We ride our bikes down the river…it seems to go on forever.
I’d never really even heard of badminton until we got here, but here, it is a professional sport, on the tv all the time and the kids are all into it. In PE at their public school they are even taught and tested on the rules of badminton, which I find hysterical…for some reason that little racket just looks like a silly toy to me.
Everytime we are in Emart, Adam picks up the swords and swears he wants to take a class.
Q: Why is it so easy to stay fit while living in South Korea? A: Korea’s daily lifestyle practically demands physical activity. Mountains are everywhere and hikeable on any weekend morning. Rivers have dedicated bike paths that seem to go on forever. Yoga studios are affordable and plentiful. Walking is the primary mode of getting around. And the culture of outdoor exercise — especially among older Koreans who put most of us to shame on mountain trails — is genuinely inspiring in a way that makes you want to keep up.
Q: What sports are popular in South Korea? A: Taekwondo is Korea’s most iconic sport and its country of origin. Short track speed skating and figure skating are massive thanks to Olympic legends like Yuna Kim. Baseball is hugely popular — the Kia Tigers being one of the most beloved teams. Badminton surprised us completely — it is televised professionally, taught in public schools and taken very seriously by kids and adults alike. Hiking however is the true national pastime.
Q: Is hiking popular in South Korea? A: Hiking is essentially a religion in Korea. Every weekend the mountains fill with Koreans of all ages decked out in matching professional gear who will pass you on the trail without breaking a sweat. The hiking culture here is unlike anything we have experienced anywhere in the world — committed, colorful and completely infectious.
Q: What is Korean hiking gear culture like? A: Korean hikers take their gear extremely seriously and it shows. Full technical outfits, matching couples sets, professional poles and boots for what might be a casual Sunday morning climb. We arrived with basic trainers and left with full matching hiking sets. You simply cannot resist the peer pressure and honestly we have never been more comfortable on a trail.
Q: Can you get fit without a gym membership while living in Korea? A: Absolutely — in fact we barely needed one. Weekend mountain hikes, river bike rides, walking everywhere daily and affordable yoga studios gave us more consistent exercise than any gym routine we had maintained back home. Korea makes fitness feel like a natural part of life rather than something you have to schedule and force yourself to do.
More from Korea
More from Korea
Remarkably livable once the initial adjustment passes. Korea is safe, efficient, and welcoming to families. The food culture is extraordinary. Kids adapt faster than adults. Most expat families describe Korea as having raised their standard for what a city should offer.
The children’s museums in Seoul are world class. Korean street food is an adventure for kids of all ages. Palaces and traditional villages give history a physical form that works for children. The playgrounds and outdoor spaces in Korean cities are genuinely excellent.
Korea is excellent for adventurous young eaters. Korean fried chicken is universally beloved. Kimbap rice rolls are approachable for most kids. Street food culture especially tteokbokki corn dogs and hotteok pancakes is a huge hit with children.
Apps like Duolingo and Pimsleur help with the alphabet and basics. Koreans are generally patient and appreciative of any effort. Kids pick up Korean in school environments much faster than adults do in language classes.
Pros: extraordinary safety, excellent public transport, amazing food, strong medical system. Cons: language barrier for adults, air quality issues in spring, and the social insularity that can make deep friendships slow to develop.
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