2025 Garmin Connect Data Report
South Koreans Average Nearly 10,000 Steps a Day
Ranked Second Globally Amid Running Craze
Even in the biting cold of winter, the running craze in South Korea shows no signs of slowing down. In line with this trend, a recent survey found that South Koreans recorded the second-highest average daily step count in the world, following Hong Kong, and far exceeding the global average.
According to a health and fitness data report released on December 16 by Garmin, a smart device company, based on its analysis app "Garmin Connect," South Koreans took an average of 9,969 steps per day this year. This figure is significantly higher than the global average of 8,000 steps, ranking second only to Hong Kong, which recorded 10,663 steps.
Running, Walking, and Swimming Take Center Stage... Notable Increase in Running
This year, South Koreans primarily chose running, walking, and swimming as their main fitness activities. In particular, participation in running increased markedly. Outdoor running rose by 61% year-on-year, and treadmill running increased by 64%, both outpacing the global average growth rate.
Strength training also saw a substantial rise, increasing by about 40% compared to the previous year, which is well above the Asian average growth rate of 27%. Hiking increased by 14%, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) surged by 68%, indicating that it is rapidly gaining popularity.
Marathons and Running Crews on the Rise... 'Running Becomes Part of Daily Life'
The running boom that swept through the year continues unabated, despite the cold weather. The culture of "running certification" is spreading through social networking services (SNS), and running crews led by people in their 20s and 30s are increasing across the country.
The number of marathon events has also surged. In Seoul, the number of marathon events increased from 42 in 2020 to 118 in 2024, with 19 events held in April alone this year. This trend is attributed to heightened interest in health management and outdoor activities following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recently, running courses through the heart of Seoul have also attracted attention. One popular route, called the "Daengdaeng Run," starts at Gwanghwamun Woldae and loops through Gyeongbokgung Palace, the Blue House, Samcheong-dong, and Cheonggyecheon, covering about 8 kilometers. When runners track their route with GPS, the path creates the shape of a dog on the map, giving the course its name.
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