Hula-Hooping in Hangul

Exercise Playground

Hitting the gym in the States provokes thoughts of a culture highly conscious of their physical appearance. A culture that will pay often exorbitant fees to enter, a small fortune to clothe oneself in appropriate attire, and big bucks on top of the line accessories to make the experience more enjoyable (iPod, utili-belt, sweat band…) This is a culture that I have bought into for over five years now, and a routine that is heavily interrupted by travel. It’s not that one cannot exercise while on the go, and for anyone backpacking the world knows that you will inevitably arrive home a stone or two lighter. The problem is in finding a routine when you have uprooted yourself from anything familiar. “Do people jog in Korea?” “What is the appropriate attire so I don’t stand out even MORE?” “Where can I go for a spin class…what is the word for spin in Hangul???” These are questions that I started asking myself once I realized that I have been eating 4-5 Korean meals a day in order to sample all of the cuisine, and that I am not backpacking around the countryside at the moment. I needed to find a way so come time to hike Tasmania’s East coast this spring, I’ll be ready. While on a walk this weekend with some friends who live in Ulsan’s Illsan beach area I found my answer. We came across what appeared to be a playground. These playgroundesque plots are dotted throughout Korea along every path and trail, some big, some small, but all serving the purpose of promoting fitness. The set-up is standard: placed in a forest clearing giving off the appearance that you have just magically stumbled onto this exercise haven, you are presented with an array of curious, self operated, cord-free workout machines. There is the “elliptical” completely self-powered, the arm and leg stretcher (more of a tower or terror like torture device), the giant steering wheel and usually about a dozen or so heavily weighted hula hoops. On a busy weekend these stops are packed with kids, adults and Omas all trying to fit in a work out. This kind of dedication to creating budget and space for recreation really says something about the Korean culture.

Hula on the playground

Koreans are particular, even neurotic when it comes to hobbies. There are several questions a foreigner will be asked upon arriving to Korea. Usually in standard order these are: How old are you? Where are you from? What is your blood type? and What is your hobby? The age question falls under the Confucian ideology practiced where age determines the level of respect granted and the appropriate language that should be used when in conversation. Then there is the question of blood type. Apparently aside from our astrological sign, numerological sign, the old adage “you are what you eat” and any other personality shaping trend you may subscribe to, blood type is a vital signifier in what to expect from someone on a first date. My students have tried to determine mine, for instance today after spending five minutes making them all sit in their chairs with their eyes closed while I told them how disrespectful they were being, one student peeped one eye open to tell me “Teacher, you B.” “What!?” I said, thinking they were referring to a female dog, in which case I was going to drop this calm and collected act and really flip out on this kid. “No teacher, blood.” “Oh, you think I am a B blood type?” “Yes.” “Why?” I asked. “Because you are crazy.” Then I flipped out..

Fun on the Playground

The hobby question I find the most intriguing. If a Korean person tells you that they like to hike and invites you to go hiking I would certainly accept, and then be prepared to wake up at five in the morning to meet at an undisclosed location with hiking boots, walking poles, sun-proof gear and a bottle of electron replacing liquids to pour down your throat as you climb up to what will most likely be one of the most breathtaking views you have seen. The “All out” approach to hobbies is the same reason Matt and I were kicked out of the swimming pool for not having racing suits or swimming caps. It is the same reason a Korean can either dance or they can’t, sing or not, play bad mitten or not. There is no in between, you choose a hobby and this will be your life’s purpose, and when Koreans admit to being good at something, they mean it. I have heard seven-year olds wailing on a piano, middle school students who miss two days of school to be flown around the nation for ping-pong tournaments, twelve-year olds who have chosen a professional goal with nothing to stand in their way of success. If it is inspiration you are looking for Korea is not a bad place to start.

I see these work-out stations as a sort of standard of excellence. Yes they are probably one of the hokiest things I have seen outside of a petting zoo or Salem’s “Enchanted forest” theme park, but the fitness playground is well used anywhere you go. I am still considering joining a gym, but in the meantime if someone asks me my hobby here in Korea a think I might answer “The playground” and turn these pit stops into the launching pad for my routine. Matt has been playing on a local rugby team about once a week and is able to get together with some guys from our program for pick-up soccer games and the occasional faculty volleyball or basketball at his school. Sometimes it’s hard to set up routines, it’s like admitting that we will not be back to our home in Washington for quite some time. Next time you see us we might just have super stretchy arms, excellent balance and great abs from all the playgrounding we’ve been doing!

Biking in Geyongju

Until then enjoy the rest of Fall running season, anyone looking for a little cross-training may consider hitting the playground to mix things up a bit!

All our best, Matt and Emily.