[Terry's Tale] To Maintain the Body

Trying to maintain some kind of physical conditioning for maintenance of health is not just an American, Canadian, or European thing, it is a necessity in any society that utilizes modern technology to improve the conditions of life for it’s people.  Modern technology requires little physical effort having replaced that with mental effort.  Mental effort creates stress, something which physical effort dissipates, but which, if left undissipated, damages the body.

People turn to many different approaches to deal with the need for physical effort.  The martial arts school I ran not only taught Taekwondo, Judo, and Hapkido, but basic gymnastics as well, though I will admit that that school was very unique.  Some take up martial arts solely for competition such as Taekwondo, Judo, or boxing.  Some take up the special body training of Tai Chi or yoga, both of which, performed properly, are quite strenuous despite being geared towards young and old.  

Some people take up bicycling (from what I have witnessed so far the majority tend to be children), running and/or jogging.  I understand the enjoyment to be found in running but the drawback to running is the concomitant knee deterioration that comes with it.  Others play at sports, basketball, baseball, and so on.  Still others take up cycling.  Everything I mentioned and more, is done in the US. Everything I mentioned and more, is done in Canada. Everything I mentioned and more, is done in Europe.  And everything I mentioned and more, is done in Korea.  In fact, everything I mentioned and more, is done around the world.

Immediately across the street from my abode is a small, open park with a (my guess) kilometer long walking/jogging track . . .

with walkers and joggers . . .

special exercise equipment for older kids and all adults . . . 

with people exercising (and sometimes resting) . . .

and with a little assistance even small children . . .

plus a very large courtyard for Tai Chi, Yoga, dance, or other forms of group exercise.

This park even offers fenced-in soccer/football courts.

Two boys on bicycles immediately in front of a local bicycle shop.

Inside the bicycle shop.

The sign above the bicycle shop;.l

A mountain top type park with hiking trails.

Publicly available exercise equipment.

In this closeup you can see that the equipment is not allowed to run away and disappear.

Chin up bars at different levels.

Hip rotational equipment.

Small perimeter style jogging track . . .

with jogger.

Crunch benches.

And benches for sitting when one "feels like death warmed over".

Parallel bars for the ex- or the would be gymnast (fun but can be dangerous).

Parallel bars in side view.

 Korean style water fountain for drinking and/or washing.

A clothes hanging arm.

Tennis and/or badminton courts - with people preparing to hold court.

The nearby exercise equipment.

What is, as far as I know, uniquely Korean is the establishment of workout facilities, not just at apartment complexes or in parks, but, all along the hiking trails wherever they may be.  As a result of the provision of publicly available workout devices I have seen no commercial workout centers such as found in the US.  Imagine, one less reason not to try and maintain some physical activity

 – would Americans in large numbers avail themselves of such devices?