One, two, three, four… Okay~ 1 minute left now.
At 1 p.m. on the 10th at the Seoul Physical Fitness 9988 Certification Center (the center) inside the Songpa District Public Health Center in Seoul. The reporter's breathing grew more labored while stepping up and down a stair-like step box to the beat. Health exercise manager Jang Ji-un, who was monitoring the breathing nearby, spoke calmly. The repetitive movement looked simple, but after 2 minutes, the reporter was gasping for air. Only after the guidance, "Now sit down and rest," did it become possible to catch a breath.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government began operating the Seoul Physical Fitness 9988 centers on the 3rd. The name carries the idea of helping citizens live vigorously until age 99. Here, individuals can have their fitness measured comprehensively and receive customized exercise counseling based on the results. The University of Seoul, Gwangjin, and Dobong centers have begun operations, and the Songpa center also started welcoming citizens on this day.
Two health exercise managers are stationed at the Songpa center, and one manager measures the fitness of one to two citizens over 30 minutes. The six items are muscle strength, muscular endurance, cardiorespiratory endurance, flexibility, agility, and power.
The assessment began with blood pressure, height, and body composition (InBody) measurements. Then, the reporter loosened up by following a warm-up video for 4 minutes.
The first item was a cardiorespiratory endurance test. Manager Jang demonstrated the YMCA step test in person. The method compares heart rates before and after stepping up and down a stair-like box for 3 minutes at about 24 steps per minute in time with the beat.
Next came a strength test using grip strength. Each hand was measured twice, alternating sides, and the average was recorded. The muscular endurance evaluation then proceeded with sit-ups performed for 1 minute.
On the mat, the reporter performed the sit-and-reach to check flexibility by stretching the legs and bending the upper body forward. The power test measured reaction time by jumping on a foot mat at the sound of a "beep." The movement had to begin simultaneously with the sound, but it was not easy to match the pace of manager Jang's demonstration. After completing all items, a brief cool-down wrapped up the assessment.
About 30 minutes later, when the fitness measurements ended, the fitness grade came out immediately. The grade is assigned based on the lowest-scoring item among the six. The reporter did 21 sit-ups and received a grade of 4.
Manager Jang said muscular endurance and strength were lacking and explained how to exercise. Jang advised, "With dumbbells, start with the lightest possible weight and increase slowly," and added, "For squats, it's important to learn the form first and make sure the target area is being stimulated properly."
The measurement items can vary by age. Those 65 and older perform the 30-second chair stand to assess muscle function, and coordination is measured with a figure-8 walk. The step test is also replaced with 2 minutes of marching in place to reduce the burden on older adults.
There are rewards for taking the assessment. If results from the physical fitness certification center are linked to the Wrist Doctor 9988 app within 1 month after measurement, 5,000 points are awarded. If the fitness grade improves 6 months later (or if a grade of 1 is maintained), an additional 5,000 points can be earned. Points can be used at Seoul Pay partner merchants.
A person surnamed Kim, 44, who visited the Songpa center on this day, said they were satisfied that the center provides one-on-one customized exercise prescriptions. Kim said, "The health exercise manager watched carefully by my side, so I was able to get exercise recommendations tailored to me."
The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to expand the Seoul Physical Fitness 9988 centers to 50 locations by 2026. In the long term, it presented a blueprint to install at least one in every district so citizens can check and manage their fitness within their daily living areas.
The Seoul Physical Fitness 9988 center is free for any Seoul resident age 19 or older. Reservations are required, however. Through the Wrist Doctor 9988 app, reservations open on the 1st and 16th of every month on a first-come, first-served basis. Because there are still few Seoul Physical Fitness 9988 centers, competition is relatively fierce. On the first reservation day on the 1st, all slots filled in 2 minutes.