Unconventional workout options

By Choo Sung-ho

Fitness trends change year to year but the trendy workout options are always a hot topic. In recent years, a growing number of office workers getting bored with gym routines are looking for unconventional physical activities that not only improve their fitness but also are fun and enjoyable. Whether their fitness goals are fat burning, building muscular strength or reliving stress, people are more interested in the fun part of exercising which make them work out without actually realizing they are exercising.

The Korea Times’ Business Focus interviewed three office workers who enjoy unique sports.

Jiujitsu

Yoon Bo-won, a 29-year-old banker said she sits in one place for much of the day, working with her computer which causes fatigue. Until she came across Jiujitsu, a Brazilian martial art, Yoon regularly went to the gym to work out to get rid of stress and feel less lethargic. But since last June she has been taking a Jiujitsu class.

“I used to be a casual gym-goer but I got totally bored with the fitness routine at the gym such as running on the treadmill and doing bodyweight exercises. When my boyfriend suggested we do Jiujitsu together, I was a little doubtful about whether it would be appropriate for women but now I am a huge fan of Jiujitsu,” Yoon said. “It is a grueling and hardcore workout that not only helps burn calories but also boosts muscle mass.”

Jiujitsu is a martial art for self-defense that focuses on grappling and ground fighting. It has recently been drawing increasing attention in Korea due to the rising popularity of ROAD FC, a Korean-based fighting championship.

“It seems like a workout only for guys but I would like to recommend it to women because it is a practical and effective martial art for self-defense. It teaches practical skills to protect yourself from an attacker. If you are a challenge seeker, Jiujitsu is the perfect sport for you.”

Sports climbing

“Unlike gym fitness training, sport climbing is a kind of a group activity so you can interact with others while exercising. For me, that is the most enjoyable part of doing this sport.”

Kim Doo-young, 33, said he started sport climbing two years ago to spend his weekends more productively. “Prior to sport climbing, I tried a lot of typical workouts including swimming, running, weight training and other ball games but I wanted to try something new and unique to refresh my lifestyle. Sport climbing perfectly meets my needs and most of all, it is just incredibly fun.” Sport climbing can strengthen the full body as it involves high intensity movements that incorporate the arms, back and the core.

“It is a pretty hardcore workout. That is why I feel a greater sense of accomplishment after finishing the training. I recommend it to someone who enjoys challenges and a sense of reward,” Kim said.

He added that the price of essential equipment for sport climbing is not as expensive as people think. “For a beginner, you only buy climbing shoes and the fees for using a climbing wall costs about the same as using a fitness center. Plus, outdoor climbing walls are mostly open for use free of charge.”

Flying yoga

Flying yoga, also known as antigravity yoga, is a new type of workout invented by an aerial performer who was a former gymnast and Broadway choreographer. Recently, it created a lot of hype in Korea after famous female celebrities performed it on a number of TV shows.

Lee Hyun-kyung, a 28-year-old English teacher and a flying yoga instructor, said she had been doing yoga for two years before becoming a flying yoga instructor. “Flying yoga seems similar to traditional yoga but it involves more dynamic techniques and moves that are much more active and enjoyable. Yoga poses are static while flying yoga poses are dynamic and fun. That is why I switched from yoga to flying yoga.”

Lee said that flying yoga is a good exercise for those who have back problems. “You can stretch your full body and achieve a proper posture without compressing your joints and spine thanks to the hammock that suspends your body. It really helps you to build flexibility and agility.”