The Era of 100-Year Lifespans... Shall We Walk Through Autumn with Proper Walking?

Seocho District Runs Walking Exercise Class at Banpo Sports Complex Until October
Customized Programs Including TheraBand Stretching, Correct Walking, and Strength Training
Body Composition Tests Before and After to Assess Improvement
Top 10 Participants with Greatest Physical Changes to Receive Prizes
Yangcheon District to Host Family Harmony Festival for Multicultural Families and Local Residents on October 22

Stretching

[Asia Economy, Reporter Park Jongil] As people have gone out less and spent more time working from home or staying indoors due to COVID-19, the number of “Hwaktjinja” (people who have gained significant weight) has surpassed that of “Hwaktinja” (confirmed COVID-19 patients). According to the autumn issue of Statistics Plus, published last month by the Statistics Korea Statistical Research Institute, the obesity rate rose from 33.8% in 2019 to 38.3% in 2020, marking an increase of 4.5 percentage points in just one year.

In response, Seocho District (District Mayor Jeon Seongsu) has been running the “Seocho District Walking Exercise Class” for six weeks, from September 20 to October 27, to encourage residents to make walking a part of their daily routine and to create an environment where people can exercise together in the cool autumn weather.

Seocho District decided to implement this program because walking can help reduce the risks of disease and obesity, as well as prevent dementia and improve cognitive function.

The key feature of the “Walking Exercise Class” is that participants walk correctly, consistently, and systematically under the guidance of a fitness instructor.

The program runs for 50 minutes starting at 10 a.m. at Banpo Sports Complex in Banpo-dong, focusing on both aerobic and anaerobic exercises, including: power walking and other aerobic strengthening exercises; small muscle group workouts using TheraBands; spinal strengthening exercises through bodyweight stretching; and lower body strengthening exercises through gait training.

Seocho District conducts body composition tests on participants before the program to measure body fat and muscle mass, and performs follow-up tests after the six-week program. The 10 participants who show the most significant health improvements, such as reduced body fat, will receive exercise-related prizes.

The district expects this program to motivate residents to exercise and to help them experience the joy of physical transformation.

One resident, Ms. Kim, who participated in the program, said, “I used to walk in the neighborhood park for my health, but walking alone was often boring and I would skip days. Joining the Seocho District Walking Exercise Class and walking with many people was enjoyable and helped me stay motivated.”

Going forward, Seocho District will regularly monitor obesity and physical changes in program participants, and will continue to provide ongoing support through 1:1 exercise counseling and body composition and metabolic syndrome testing at the public health center.

Seocho District is running a variety of walking programs. To promote healthy lifestyle habits and spread a walking culture among residents, the district holds a walking mileage event every month. For the month of October, the “Walk-On Challenge” is underway, where participants can walk along trails near the Gyeongbu Expressway, improving their health and receiving prizes at the same time.

Seocho District Mayor Jeon Seongsu said, “I hope this program helps residents discover the joy of walking and receive positive energy. We will continue to support residents’ health and do our best to increase participation in walking activities.”

Yangcheon District (District Mayor Lee Kijae) announced that it will hold the “Gabojago!” family festival on October 22 in the front yard of the Sinwol 6-dong Administrative Complex Town, where multicultural families and local residents can come together and enjoy a day of harmony with their families.

This family festival is an expanded version of the previous “Multicultural Festival,” designed to create a space where all local residents can interact without barriers. The event will feature a variety of programs, including food booths, hands-on experience booths, and a family magic show.

On the day of the event, the front yard and first-floor lobby of the Sinwol 6-dong Administrative Town will host: the Multicultural Zone (pumpkin basket decorating, international flag bead bracelets, and making the Vietnamese traditional hat “Non La”); the Event Zone (wish tree decorating, roulette quiz, and photo booth); the Family Zone (making sock hair ties, badges, and garlands); and booths for single-person households and family counseling. Participants who complete the activities will receive snacks such as cotton candy and popcorn.

In particular, the “Family Magic Show,” which is popular with children, is currently recruiting 100 participants through the Yangcheon District Family Center until October 18, and participation is free of charge.

The district is working in various ways to create a “Warm City Yangcheon,” where diverse family members can lead happy lives, by providing customized integrated programs in childcare, multicultural support, welfare, education, and culture through the operation of the Family Center.

Yangcheon District Mayor Lee Kijae said, “I hope the ‘Gabojago!’ family festival becomes an opportunity for everyone to respect each other and communicate as one. We will continue to create spaces for local residents to interact freely and harmoniously.”