Fit in Seoul

Are you Ready, Steady, Seoul?

Do we really need to run a marathon to stay fit, or is climbing the endless stairs of Seoul’s underground already an endurance workout? Trust me—your heart rate will rise, and your legs will burn.

Watching the Seoul Marathon, I expected the usual buzz—costumes, blaring music, and the electric energy of the crowd. Instead, I found something quieter but just as powerful: a steady rhythm, a calm determination. Each step was a testament to something deeply ingrained in Korean culture—resilience, consistency, and an unshakable commitment to showing up.

As I saw some runners struggling just hundreds of meters from the finish line, the instructor in me wanted to shout—Come on, you’re almost there! Just one last push! Sometimes, that’s all we need—someone on our side, cheering us on to keep going.

I have never run a marathon, but I respect the sheer magnitude of it. The months of training, the gruelling long runs. It’s not just physical; it’s a mental battle where giving up is easy, but persistence is everything. When exhaustion kicks in, and every muscle begs you to stop, the mind takes over. And isn’t that what fitness, and life, is really about? Showing up, pushing through, proving to yourself that you’re capable of more one step at a time.

We don’t need to commit to 42 kilometers to embrace movement. Sometimes, the simplest activities are just as transformative. A jog around Seokchon Lake and its tranquil waters, especially in spring when cherry blossoms drift into the water, is its own kind of magic. Or, for a challenge, why not climb the stairs of Lotte World Tower, the world's fifth tallest building (555 meters)? A joke? Maybe but tower runners race those 123 floors to the top in under 16 minutes! And once up there, stairs or the lift, the Sky Bridge Walk will take your breath away. That's if you are not scared of heights!

But Seoul’s love for movement isn’t limited to stair climbing and marathons. This city moves. Need a coffee? Walk. Groceries? Walk. Public transport? Walk and climb because those multi-levelled underground stairs aren’t just an exit; they’re a built-in leg workout.

Back in England, I’d hop in my Audi for a five-minute drive to meet a friend. Here? My legs are my car. And while I miss the convenience, I can’t deny the benefits of this built-in fitness plan.

On weekends, hiking trails like Bukhansan and Namsan are packed with adventurers of all ages. Along the Han River, people cycle, rollerblade, kayak, and paddleboard. Parks come alive with outdoor dance groups and seniors doing aerobics. Outdoor gyms with pull-up bars, leg presses, and weights stations are everywhere—and they get used! Prefer a structured workout? Pilates and yoga studios are filled with people sculpting their core and improving their posture.

Movement isn’t just about fitness—it’s about feeling good. It’s shaking off a bad mood with that rush of endorphins and feeling a sense of achievement after an early morning workout. Even the simplest act like walking instead of driving can transform your energy.

So, how could you move today? Take the stairs instead of the elevator? Walk instead of drive? A few squats while waiting for the kettle to boil? You don’t need to train for a marathon. You just need to start. Because movement isn’t a task to check off—it’s a way to live.

And isn’t life just better when you’re moving through it?

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© 2025 Lefitko. All Rights Reserved. Article written by Lenka Morgan-Warren