Skiing, sled pushing, rowing.
Hong Eun-il, an office worker, visits a Hyrox center after work to engage in a workout that combines cardio and strength training.
It is much more intense than standard fitness training, but the sense of accomplishment felt after completing the workout is greater.
[Interview] Hong Eun-il / Office worker: If you work out while working, you gain the stamina to enjoy your leisure time more. Honestly, the cost of a few meals out is enough to cover a month at a fitness center.
Household spending on sports-related activities plummeted in 2021 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, but exceeded 2 million won the following year.
However, that explosive growth in consumption has gradually declined, falling to 1.69 million won last year.
As the craze for expensive equipment, apparel, and membership fees associated with golf, cycling, and tennis has cooled, practical fitness-focused activities like running and hiking have become the mainstream. Consequently, cost-effectiveness has naturally become a priority in related spending.
[Interview] Kim Seung-seop / Yongin, Gyeonggi Province: In the end, it is all consumable, so you should buy what fits your level. Buying something too expensive doesn't mean it will last longer, and you have to move past brands and what people call relying on gear to truly become a runner.
From beginner to professional levels, people are researching detailed functions and price information, setting personal goals, and achieving a sense of accomplishment by tracking their own progress.
[Interview] Kim Min-soo / Research Fellow at the Korea Institute of Sport Science: In the past, people would just ask those around them, but now consumers study hard through social media. Also, it has become very easy to find customized products that fit one's body type, physique, and various needs through artificial intelligence.
Searching second-hand marketplaces first to reduce unnecessary spending or seeking out the growing number of free facilities is also becoming a trend of smart consumption.
Is Exercise About the Gear? "Even Expensive Items Are Consumables"... The Changing Trend (July 4, 2026, 8 O'Clock News)
Reported by Shim Woo-seop | Video by Kim Seung-tae | Video Editing by Choi Hye-young | VJ by Jung Han-wook | Produced by SBS Digital News
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