Mr. Kim Jin-seoung, 38
Gym Owner from Kunsan
How long have you had this shop?
About 12 years. I've been weightlifting 20 years, since I was a university student.What services do you offer?
Machines here are used for bench pressing, curls, etc. Also customers can do aerobics, jazz dance, yoga and sauna.Can you explain the physical benefits of weightlifting?
It helps you keep a physical balance and it strengthens your backbone and internal organs and your heart, since your heart is a muscle.Do you provide information about nutrition?
Not really. Weightlifting is most popular.Have you ever had any injuries?
Actually I used to practice judo then switched to body building. I injured my shoulder practicing judo, so I quit after 8 years.What are the good points of this job?
Running this gym is not a good job. Before, when I started I was enthusiastic to teach people, but as time goes by I could see that customers have their own ideas and don’t listen to my training. Now very few accept my training. So later I want to run a small gym for individuals who want to train seriously. The good things are not that much. And I’m not a negative person.What about the money?
It’s pretty good.Have you ever competed in body building?
Of course! I got second place in a competition with participants from two states.Any dreams for the future?
Everyone has back pain; I will realign their backbone. In my small gym I’d also like to offer chiropractic and foot massage. I learned at my university. I’m still learning. Once a week I go to a neighboring city and volunteer at a hospital to learn with a well-known doctor.Did you have a weightlifting teacher?
My teacher is a very famous weightlifter. He won first prize for all of Asia! He’s 47.How many hours do you workout now?
About 1 and a half hours, but not everyday.How much can you benchpress?
160 kg. My weight is 85 kg so it’s not that much.What’s your working schedule like?
My wife teaches jazz dance here. We work together at the front desk. At 1pm the yoga teacher and other teachers come here to work.How many hours do you work?
As I like!That’s great, but on average?
4 hours in the morning and 5 hours in the afternoon.Do you ever take a vacation, like a week holiday to go somewhere?
Never. From Friday afternoon to Sunday night we relax, no work. I could go for a month if I wanted, but it’s not easy. But I could. I’d like to return to visit my family but it’s not the right time. Saturday and Sunday holiday is enough.In America weightlifters buy protein powders to help gain weight. Do you sell such powders here?
Yeah we sell that.Is there any problems in Korea with weightlifters taking steroids?
That’s for professional weightlifters. They’re attracted by steroids. Probably they don’t use that. They all probably try steroids at least once.Are there many female bodybuilders?
Yes, quite a few. About 20% are female.Many foreigners?
Many foreign teachers work out here. They have good bodies.Do you communicate with them in English?
They try to understand if they’re interested in my teaching. Otherwise they pretend to not understand.the end