South Korea – No Gym Pass
Finding somewhere to train while travelling is usually one of the first things I look into when planning a trip.
But South Korea was a little different.
During our three weeks travelling from Seoul to Busan, finding a gym wasn’t quite as straightforward as we’d experienced in other countries.
And with no luck finding suitable day-pass options, we needed another plan.
Enter the Airbnb gym strategy!
Rather than giving up our workouts, we decided to make gym facilities a priority when booking our accommodation.
Can Tourists Use Gyms in South Korea?
Yes, tourists can use gyms in South Korea, but finding somewhere offering a casual day pass isn’t always as easy as it is in countries like Thailand or Vietnam.
Many of the gyms we came across seemed more focused on memberships for local residents rather than short-term visitors.
That’s not to say day passes aren’t available. Some gyms do welcome tourists, but it’s worth checking access requirements, pricing and opening hours before turning up.
The Airbnb Gym Strategy
When we started looking at accommodation, having access to a gym became one of our priorities.
But here’s something I’ve learned from travelling.
Just because a property advertises a gym doesn’t mean it’s going to be a gym you actually want to train in!
A couple of treadmills and a yoga mat might be perfectly fine for some people.
But if you’re planning to do proper strength training, you’re going to want a little more than that.
My Tips for Finding Accommodation With a Good Gym
Look closely at the photos
Don’t just rely on a listing that says it has a gym.
Check the photos to see what equipment is actually available.
And if there aren’t any decent photos, ask the host to send some.
Search for other listings in the same building
Search the property’s address or building name and see whether other hosts have listed apartments there.
Sometimes you’ll find much better photos of the gym in another listing.
Check what equipment is available
There’s a big difference between a full gym and a room with two treadmills.
If strength training is important to you, check whether there are free weights, benches and resistance machines.
Confirm gym access before booking
This is particularly important.
Some residential buildings have strict rules about who can use their facilities, and you might need a special access card or permission.
Don’t assume that because the gym is in the building, you’ll automatically be allowed to use it.
Ask your host before making payment.
Our Gym Experience in Seoul
Our Airbnb building in Seoul had a small gym.
Nothing particularly impressive, but there was enough equipment for us to keep up with our workouts.
We just had to be a little creative and adapt our usual training routine to what was available.
What I found particularly funny was that the building had allocated more space to its virtual golf room than the gym!
Clearly, golf was a bigger priority.
Still, the gym did the job.
And having somewhere to train without needing to travel across the city was a bonus.
Our Gym Experience in Busan
Busan was a completely different story. We struck gold with this one!
Our accommodation building had an impressive gym that occupied an entire floor.
Considering how compact the apartments were, I couldn’t believe how much space had been dedicated to the gym.
There were some strict rules around access, and we needed specific permission and an access card to use the facilities.
But once we’d sorted that out, it was absolutely worth it.
Having a proper gym in the building made it so much easier to keep training throughout our stay.
Beyond the Gym: Staying Active in South Korea
One thing I love about travelling is how much walking you end up doing.
And South Korea was no exception.
We were easily clocking 15,000–20,000 steps a day exploring Seoul and Busan.
Between the busy streets, markets, parks and all the places we wanted to visit, we were constantly on the move.
And with so much amazing Korean food to try, I certainly wasn’t complaining about getting those extra steps in!
But walking wasn’t the only way we stayed active.
Explore the City by Bike
One of our favourite ways to explore a new city is by joining a bike tour.
And South Korea is a great place to do it.
Rather than spending the whole day walking, a bike tour lets you cover more ground and discover places you might otherwise miss.
You can explore smaller streets, ride through parks, cross rivers and find local neighbourhoods away from the main tourist areas.
And of course, you’re getting some exercise at the same time.
We love doing a bike tour early in our stay because it gives us a better feel for the city and often helps us discover places we want to return to later.
It’s sightseeing and a workout rolled into one.
My Tips for Staying Fit While Travelling in South Korea
- Book accommodation early. If gym access is important to you, start looking before the best options disappear.
- Check the equipment. Don’t assume every advertised gym will suit your training style.
- Confirm access with your host. Some buildings have strict rules about using shared facilities.
- Be flexible. You might need to change your usual routine depending on the equipment available.
- Consider longer stays. If you find accommodation with a great gym, it might be worth staying a little longer.
- Pack comfortable walking shoes. You’ll definitely need them!
- Try a bike tour. It’s one of our favourite ways to explore somewhere new.
- Enjoy the local food! You’re travelling, after all.
My Final Thoughts
South Korea was a little different when it came to finding somewhere to train.
We didn’t find the same easy access to commercial gyms that we’d experienced in places like Thailand, Vietnam or Laos.
But by choosing accommodation with gym facilities, we managed to keep up with our workouts throughout our three-week trip.
The gym in Seoul was small but functional, while the one in Busan was a fantastic find.
And between our gym sessions, walking 15,000–20,000 steps a day and exploring the cities by bike, we certainly weren’t short of exercise.
If you’re planning a trip to South Korea and want to keep training, I’d recommend researching your accommodation carefully and confirming gym access before booking. Or message me and I will share with you where we stayed in both Seoul and Busan.
Sometimes maintaining your fitness routine while travelling just means getting a little creative.
And that’s all part of the adventure!
Stay strong, stay travelling, and keep the adventure alive 🏋️♀️✈️🌏
Message me if you have any questions or want to know more!
Travel, move, repeat.
Mi-Ree 🧡
