Gong Yoo is taking a picture for Lee Jung-jae at Golden Gym

The Exclusive World of Celebrity Gyms in Seoul

Where Stars Sweat: A Peek into the Celebrity Gym Culture

Golden Fit Private Gym in Sinsa-dong, Gangnam: A Celebrity Hotspot

At Golden Fit Private Gym located in Sinsa-dong, Gangnam, a unique gathering of celebrities can be seen. Popular figures like Yoo Jae-suk, Lee Jung-jae, Jung Ho-yeon, and Choi Woo-shik often share space, sweating it out together. This gym isn’t a venue for grand award ceremonies like the end-of-year entertainment awards in Korea or the prestigious Emmy and Academy Awards in the U.S. Instead, it’s a place where these stars casually address each other as “Gwanwon-nim” (a term of endearment and respect among gym members).

The gym is especially buzzing during birthday celebrations for celebrities like Yoo Jae-suk and Lee Jung-jae, with stars like Jung Ho-yeon and Gong Yoo capturing these moments with their cameras. Golden Fit has become a favored spot for actors, including well-known names like Gong Yoo, Lee Kwang-soo, Jung Yu-mi, and Suzy.

Gong Yoo is taking a picture for Lee Jung-jae at Golden Gym
Gong Yoo is taking a picture for Lee Jung-jae to celebrate his birthday

The Celebrity Gym Phenomenon: An Insider’s View

Celebrity gyms have two distinct features. First, they often gain popularity through word-of-mouth recommendations. For example, Golden Fit’s reputation soared when Cha Seung-won, a client of the gym’s founder and former trainer Yoon Tae-sik, recommended him to fellow actors after achieving an impressive physique.

Secondly, these gyms prioritize privacy. Unlike conventional gyms, celebrity gyms like Golden Fit and Star Gym 23 in Cheongdam-dong have unassuming exteriors with little indication of their celebrity clientele. So there are no photographs or autographs of stars within these spaces, and the trainers often do not maintain public social media profiles. This discretion is especially appealing to idol stars with strong fan followings.

SHINee's Taemin thanks Young-man who is his fitness trainer and runs Star Gym 23, Taemin's Instagram
SHINee’s Taemin thanks Young-man who is his fitness trainer and runs Star Gym 23, Taemin’s Instagram

Personalized Training and Networking: The Celebrity Gym Lifestyle

Celebrities at these gyms receive comprehensive care, including exercise, diet, mental health, and overall conditioning. This all-around approach is why trainers like Kim Jin-woo of GIVN, known for conditioning BTS, have gained fame.

As celebrities advance in their careers, they tend to move from company-provided gyms to ones that align more closely with their personal fitness goals and preferences. These spaces aren’t just for exercise; they’re also crucial networking sites, fostering connections that extend into collaborative appearances on YouTube and other social media platforms. The camaraderie formed in these gyms often leads to mutual support, such as participating in each other’s music video challenges or featuring in YouTube shows.

BTS's J-Hope (right) and GIVN's Kim Jin-woo (left)
BTS’s J-Hope (right) and GIVN’s Kim Jin-woo (left)

Conclusion

In the world of Korean entertainment, gyms have become more than just places to exercise. They are hubs of social interaction, networking, and mutual support among celebrities, offering a unique glimpse into their lives beyond the camera. This culture of ‘gwanwon’ camaraderie in the gym mirrors the ever-evolving landscape of the entertainment industry, where personal connections and public appearances intertwine seamlessly.

SEVENTEEN's Hoshi (right) and MONSTA X's HYUNGWON (left)
SEVENTEEN’s Hoshi (right) and MONSTA X’s HYUNGWON (left)

Reference: https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/023/0003810458?sid=102

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