Heart Thumping · Muscles Flexing! ...Nowon-gu Physical Activity Program 'Nowonirang Simkkunghaem GYM'

From January 14, 2025, First-Come, First-Served Recruitment of 136 Participants, Open to All Nowon District Residents
After Last Year’s Program, 61% Increase in Moderate-Intensity Physical Activity Practice Rate... 99% Participant Satisfaction
Continuous Exercise Habit Formation and Support Encouraged Even After Education Completion with Educational Videos Provided

Nowon-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Oh Seung-rok) announced that it is recruiting participants for the ‘Nowonirang Simkunghaejim (GYM)’ program to increase the rate of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity among residents and promote healthy lifestyle habits.

According to the Community Health Survey by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the rate of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity among Nowon-gu residents is below the average for Seoul. In response, the district has been operating the program since October last year to support the healthy lives of its residents.

The program proceeds in the order of pre-assessment, customized exercise education, and post-evaluation. Selected participants undergo pre-assessment measuring body composition (skeletal muscle mass, body fat percentage, BMI) and physical fitness (flexibility, muscle strength), and their weekly exercise habits are surveyed.

Then, under the guidance of professional instructors, participants engage in moderate-to-vigorous physical activities twice a week, one hour per session, for 12 weeks. The moderate-to-vigorous physical activity education includes ▲bodyweight strength training ▲strength training using small equipment (such as resistance bands) ▲foam roller exercises ▲aerobic exercises.

After the 12-week program, changes in body composition and physical fitness are analyzed, and satisfaction surveys are conducted to explore directions for improvement.

To encourage continuous participation, an online platform is also operated. Exercise videos that can be easily practiced at home are posted on the blog and KakaoTalk channel to help participants continue exercising on their own initiative. Starting from April next year, the district plans to offer personalized exercise methods, such as setting new exercise goals when participants upload certification photos after exercising.

The program is open to all Nowon-gu residents, and recruitment for 136 participants on a first-come, first-served basis will begin on January 14, 2025. Applications can be made by phone or through the ‘Nowonirang Simkunghaejim’ KakaoTalk channel. The location and time of operation vary by venue, so confirmation is required before applying.

Last year, a total of 599 people participated in the program. Among them, 61% increased their moderate-intensity physical activity, and 14% increased their high-intensity physical activity. Participants with prediabetes to diabetes showed a decrease in fasting blood glucose by approximately 5.8 mg/dL, demonstrating positive effects on improving metabolic syndrome risk factors.

Mayor Oh Seung-rok said, “It is most important to make physical activity a daily habit for a healthy life,” and added, “I hope this program will serve as an opportunity to increase residents’ physical activity rates, feel healthy changes, and share positive energy.”