Gyms and Play Classes for Kids in Korea

In recent years, families in South Korea have begun to adopt America’s fascination with mini gyms and play and music classes for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and even school age kids. This phenomenon is due in large part to an increased number of overweight children. Korean children’s lives are highly centered on studying and educational pursuits, sometimes into the late evening hours of the day. They have little free time to run and play. That, combined with more Westernized dietary habits is beginning to have an effect on young people’s health and more children are showing signs of obesity.

Parents have started to combat this trend by embracing fitness centers and gyms for children which have flourished in South Korea over the last decade There are lots of options for parents. One benefit for foreigners is that many of the gyms also use the opportunity to teach English to Korean kids. This makes participation by English-speaking kids very easy.

Here are some choices for you to explore:

Gymboree Play & Music
This U.S.-based fitness and developmental play program for children entered the Korean market around 2002. Now there are 60 clubs across South Korea. Below is a list of locations near you.

The Gymboree location in Hannam Dong runs a class by English speakers. Many foreign children attend that class.

You can also follow Gymboree Korea on Twitter: @GYMBOREEKOREA

South Korea (http://www.gymboree.co.kr/)
Central City 103-1 Central City BPC, 19-3 Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu Seoul, SOUTH KOREA 822-6282-2800 Pricing and Schedule Information	Apgujeong 5F Hanyang Town, 665-1 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu Seoul, SOUTH KOREA 822-549-7727 Pricing and Schedule Information
Lotte World 2B-11, 2F Lotte World Shopping Mall, 40-1 Jamsil-dong, Songp Seoul, SOUTH KOREA 822-3431-2335 Pricing and Schedule Information	Plaza 4F Hanil B/D, 214-406 Icheon-dong, Nam-gu, Daegu, 82-53-473-5005 Pricing and Schedule Information
Daechi 3F Sigma B/D, 936-16 Daechi-Dong, Gangnam-Gu Seoul, SOUTH KOREA 822-564-6873 Pricing and Schedule Information	Mokdong 3F Mijin Sports B/D 88-5 Sinjeong 2-dong, Yangcheon-gu Seoul, SOUTH KOREA 822-2644-8439 Pricing and Schedule Information
Bundang 4F, 102, Complex #1 l’park, Jeongja-dong, Bundang-gu Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 82-31-711-3422 Pricing and Schedule Information	Gwangmyeong 3F Joil Plaza, 61-1 Haan-dong, Gwangmyeong-si Gyeonggi-do 822-895-3286 Pricing and Schedule Information
Pyeongchon-Gwacheon 8F Myeongseong B/D 1041-3 Hogye-dong, Dongan-gu Anyang-si, Gyeonggi-do 82-31-386-6500 Pricing and Schedule Information	Suwon #801 Damoa Plaza, 959-4 Yeongtong-dong, Yeongtong-gu Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do 82-31-206-4403 Pricing and Schedule Information
Seongdong-Gwangjin 4F Jekang B/D 289-10, 3-dong, Seongsu 2-Ga, Seongdong-Gu Seoul 822-463-1477 Pricing and Schedule Information	Haeundae-Namcheon 5F Byucksan e-orange Plaza,1435 U-dong,Haeundae-gu, Busan, 82-51-747-0085 Pricing and Schedule Information
Boramae 3F Boramae Academy Tower, 395-69 Sindaebang 2-dong, Dongjak- Seoul, South Korea 822-831-9871 Pricing and Schedule Information	Masan-Changwon #213, 2F, Culture Academy Center, CitySeven, Dudae-dong, Changwon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do 82-55-600-5377 Pricing and Schedule Information
Dongnae-Geumjeong 6F Choice B/D, 475-18 Oncheon 1-dong, Dongnae-gu, Busan, 82-51-553-4967 Pricing and Schedule Information	Eunpyeong 3F Taeho B/D 87-1 Eungam 1-dong, Eunpyeong-gu Seoul 822-354-7474 Pricing and Schedule Information
Nowon 4F Winners B/D 336-2 Sanggye 2-dong, Nowon-gu Seoul 822-939-2982 Pricing and Schedule Information	Chilgok-Donbaek 4F Hours B/D, 912-2 Dongcheon-dong, Buk-gu, Daegu, 82-53-321-2236 Pricing and Schedule Information
Mapo-Gongduk 2F Mapo Shin Yeongjiwell, 461 Gongduk-dong, Mapo-gu Seoul 822-706-7070 Pricing and Schedule Information	Saha 6F Hyangwon B/D, 304-12 Dangni-dong, Saha-gu, Busan, 82-51-293-1878 Pricing and Schedule Information
Bucheon 6F Royal Plaza, 1062-4 Jung-dong, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do 82-32-325-5176 Pricing and Schedule Information	IIsan 4F West Wing, Taeyoung Plaza, 73 Juyeop-dong, Ilsan-gu Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do 82-31-914-7744 Pricing and Schedule Information
Busan Namgu #202 Taegang Plaza, 73-1 Daeyeon-dong Nam-gu, Busan 822-51-643-4627 Pricing and Schedule Information	Hongdae #507 LG Palace, 165-8 Donggyo-dong, Mapo-Gu Seoul 822-3143-3368 Pricing and Schedule Information
Seongbuk-Jongno 5F Samsung B/D 63-1 Dongsomun-dong 3-ga, Seongbuk-gu Seoul 822-924-9358 Pricing and Schedule Information	Gangdong 9F Seongbo B/D, 455 Cheonho-dong, Gangdong-gu Seoul 822-476-0797 Pricing and Schedule Information
Ulsan-Namgu 4F BYC B/D, 1257-7 Dal-dong, Nam-gu, Ulsan, 82-52-258-1935 Pricing and Schedule Information	Siji 4F Kumpo B/D, 567-3 Sinmae-dong, Suseong-gu, Daegu 82-53-793-2451 Pricing and Schedule Information
Hwaeong 6F Yojin Tower, 973 Hwajeong-dong, Deokyang-gu Goyang-si Gyeonggi-do 82-31-978-8810 Pricing and Schedule Information	Gwangju-Cheomdan 5F Ace B/D, 889-1 Wolgye-dong, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, 82-62-974-3600 Pricing and Schedule Information
Wonju 3F Yuseong B/D, 71-1 Ilsan-dong, Wonju-si, Gangwon-do, 82-33-747-0049 Pricing and Schedule Information	Hannam 3F Iris Plaza, 29-6 annam-dong, Yongsan-gu Seoul 822-749-7575 Pricing and Schedule Information
Gangseo 6F Tpoia B/D 14-51 Gayand-dong, Gangseo-gu Seoul 822-3664-1228 Pricing and Schedule Information	Seongseo 3F, 1198-3 Igok-dong, Dalseo-gu, Daegu, 82-53-588-7557 Pricing and Schedule Information
Ansan #609 Jangeun Tower 706-3, Gojan-dong, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do 82-31-480-9696 Pricing and Schedule Information	Sanbon-Uiwang 4F Changseon B/D, 1132 Sanbon-dong, Gunpo-si, Gyeonggi-do, 82-31-398-7206 Pricing and Schedule Information
Yeongdeungpo-Guro 2F Daesung Skyrex 107-1 Guro-dong, Guro-Gu Seoul 822-839-9922 Pricing and Schedule Information	Cheonan-Asan 3F Daseon B/D, 203-22 Ssangyong-dong, Cheonan-si, Chungcheongnam-do 82-41-578-1443 Pricing and Schedule Information
Guri Namyangju 5F Daeseong B/D, 199-1 Gyomun-dong, Guri-si, Gyeonggi-do, 82-31-554-3344 Pricing and Schedule Information	Gangbuk-Dobong 8F Susung B/D 229-15 Suyu-dong, Gangbuk-gu Seoul 822-905-7572 Pricing and Schedule Information
Bupyeong-Gyeyang #3, 5F Saerom Plaza, 212-4Yongjong-dong, Gyeyang-gu, Incheon 82-32-541-3355 Pricing and Schedule Information	Sasang-Bukgu 7F Kumho Tower, 2277-3 Hwamyeong-dong, Buk-gu, Busan 82-51-343-6171 Pricing and Schedule Information
Namdong-Yeonsu 4F Rodeo Plaza, 1463-2 Guwol-dong, Namdong-gu, Incheon, 82-32-433-7522 Pricing and Schedule Information	Songpa #403, 108-5 Garak-dong, Songpa-gu Seoul 822-400-1721 Pricing and Schedule Information
Gimhae #601, 6F, Deoksan Bestcore, 1256-3,4 Oe-dong, Gimhae-si, Gyeongsangnam-do 82-55-328-3535 Pricing and Schedule Information	Gwangju-Seogu 8F Hoejae B/D, 793-3 Kumho-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju, 82-62-682-4010 Pricing and Schedule Information
Daejeon 6F Picasso B/D, 1014 Dunsan-dong, Seo-gu, Daejeon, 82-42-487-7590 Pricing and Schedule Information	Pohang 648-12, I-dong, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, 82-54-232-0230 Pricing and Schedule Information
Suwon-Jangan #501 Daeil Plaza, 528-3 Cheoncheon-dong, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si Gyeonggi-do 82-31-269-9334 Pricing and Schedule Information	Suncheon-Gwangyang 2F Taesan B/D, 1480-4 Yeonhyang-dong, Suncheon-si, Jeollanam 82-61-723-2912 Pricing and Schedule Information
Jeonju 4F BYC B/D, 792 Seosin-dong, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk 82-63-251-0508 Pricing and Schedule Information	Uijeongbu 7F Songsanjungang Plaza, 732-3 Millak-dong, Uijeongbu-si, Gyeonggi-do 82-31-852-6880 Pricing and Schedule Information
Jinju 3F Buphwa B/D, 581-4 Sinan-dong, Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, 85-55-748-3368 Pricing and Schedule Information	Dongdaemun-Jungnang #311, #312 Samsung Chereville, 371-1 Jangan-dong, Dongdaemun Seoul 822-2214-6250 Pricing and Schedule Information
Mokpo 6F Dongbang Tower, 930-3 Sang-dong, Mokpo-si, Jeollanam-do, 82-61-283-0765 Pricing and Schedule Information	Chuncheon #305, 3F, Prime Tower, 880-4 Seoksa-dong, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do 82-33-263-7252 Pricing and Schedule Information
Yongin-Suji 5F Jungsu Plaza, 1080-20 Pungdeokcheon-dong, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do 82-31-266-6337 Pricing and Schedule Information	Sangin-Lotte 4F, Eojin B/D, 255-2 Sangin-dong, Dalseo-gu, Daegu, 82-53-644-0030 Pricing and Schedule Information
Dongtan 7F Neo Plaza 87-7, Bansong-dong, Hwasung-si, Gyeonggi-do, 82-31-8050-7770 Pricing and Schedule Information	Gymboree Korea – Homeoffice 2F gangnam B/D 1321-1 Seocho-dong Seocho-gu Seoul 822-596-0949

A second option is My Gym, another U.S.-based franchise, which has programs for kids 10 and under.
http://www.my-gym.co.kr/

The first franchise opened in September 2003. There are two locations.
Kangbyun Center in Gui-ui dong Gwang-jin Gu, and Chungdam Center in Chung-dam dong, Kang-nam Gu.

Kangbyun Guui Center Address:
202 Samsung chereville, 199-18 Gu-ui dong, Gwang-jin Gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
TEL. 02-3425-2033
http://www.my-gym.co.kr/KANGBYUN/index.asp

Chungdam Center
1-10 Chung-dam dong, Kang-nam Gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
TEL. 02-545-7665 FAX.02-553-1981
E-MAIL. jjalsun

http://www.my-gym.co.kr/CHUNGDAM/index.asp

Parents can also do birthday parties for kids here. It can be difficult to find fun spaces with English-speaking staff for birthday parties for kids in Korea. My Gym offers birthday packages packed with fun. I love that the party food on the kids’ plates includes half a banana and fruit! They’re drinking milk, too, instead of soda.

At the Chungdam location, ballet classes are also offered.

My Gym in Korea is also looking for English-speaking instructors and you can find recruiting information on their website.

A third choice for moms and babies is Mana Moro. It’s website bills it as an “enlightening place for mom and baby.”
http://www.manamoro.com/

It is located behind My Gym in Gangnam.
Address: Gangnam-dong 1-10 B1
Phone: 02-545-7665
Classes for moms and babies are offered daily.

With these many options, you’re sure to find a class to meet your needs. An added benefit is that by getting out into the community and mingling with other parents, you will make some great new friends for both you and your baby.