When embarking on a fitness journey or personal training in Korea, you’ll encounter specific terms that are essential to communicate effectively in the gym environment. Understanding these expressions can help you follow workout routines, clarify instructions with your personal trainer, and even socialize with fellow gym-goers. Here are some common Korean fitness expressions:

운동 (undong)
The word 운동 means “exercise” or “workout” and is a general term used to describe physical activities aimed at improving health and fitness.
오늘 어떤 운동을 할 건가요?

헬스 (hel-seu)
헬스 is a Konglish term derived from the English word “health,” and it refers to “physical fitness” or “gym workout” in Korea.
헬스클럽에 가입하려고 해요.

퍼스널 트레이닝 (peo-seu-nal teu-re-i-ning)
퍼스널 트레이닝 is another Konglish phrase that stands for “personal training,” where an individual receives one-on-one coaching from a fitness trainer.
퍼스널 트레이닝은 얼마인가요?

스트레칭 (seu-teu-re-ching)
The term 스트레칭 means “stretching.” It is the act of gently extending muscles to improve flexibility and prevent injury before and after workouts.
운동 전에 스트레칭을 충분히 해주세요.

유산소 운동 (yu-san-so undong)
유산소 운동 refers to “aerobic exercise,” which is any activity that uses large muscle groups, is rhythmic in nature, and can be maintained continuously for at least 10 minutes.
매일 아침 유산소 운동을 하면 건강에 좋아요.

무산소 운동 (mu-san-so undong)
무산소 운동 means “anaerobic exercise” and includes activities like heavy weight lifting where the body demands more oxygen than the aerobic system can produce.
무산소 운동으로 근육을 키울 수 있어요.

다이어트 (da-ee-o-teu)
다이어트 is a Konglish term for “diet.” In Korea, it often refers to the act of losing weight or the regimen of eating and exercise one follows for that purpose.
건강한 다이어트 계획을 세워보세요.

셋 셀 때 (set sel ttae)
셋 셀 때 literally means “when counting sets.” In a training context, it’s used to indicate when one should start or resume their sets during an exercise session.
세 번째 셋 셀 때, 무게를 좀 더 늘리세요.

근육 (geun-yuk)
근육 simply denotes “muscle.” It’s important to know this word when discussing different muscle groups with a trainer or when targeting specific muscles during your workout.
운동으로 근육을 강화할 수 있어요.

체중감량 (che-jung-gam-ryang)
체중감량 translates to “weight loss.” This is a common goal for many people engaging in fitness activities.
규칙적인 운동으로 체중감량에 성공했어요.

스쿼트 (seu-kwo-teu)
스쿼트 is the Korean transliteration of “squat,” which is a fundamental strength exercise for the lower body.
스쿼트를 할 때는 무릎이 발끝을 지나지 않도록 해야 해요.

플랭크 (peul-laeng-keu)
The 플랭크 is the transliteration of “plank,” which is an isometric core strength exercise that involves maintaining a position similar to a push-up for the maximum possible time.
플랭크 자세를 1분간 유지해 봅시다.

회복 (hoe-bok)
회복 means “recovery.” After a workout, it’s important to allow your body to recover through rest, proper nutrition, and maybe some light stretching or foam rolling.
운동 후에는 충분한 회복 시간이 필요해요.

By familiarizing yourself with these Korean fitness expressions, you’ll be better equipped to navigate a gym session in Korea and effectively communicate your exercise goals and needs. Happy training!