We have been a little sluggish lately, so we figured we should probably get our butts in gear and head to the gym. It just so happens that there is a gym/sauna a few floors below our school, and one of the other teachers offered to show us around.

In Korea, these saunas are called jimjilbangs (jin-ja-bongs). They’re excellent for getting rid of stress, and they’re usually pretty inexpensive (it was $5 each for us). However, they are not for the feint of heart.

When you walk in, you pay, remove your shoes and enter into the male or female bathing/sauna rooms. There are lockers to put your things in, and you have to put everything in. That’s right, these segregated areas are birthday suits only. While it’s slightly intimidating (and a little strange), the Koreans do this all the time, and I just don’t think it’s a big deal for them. These are places where families go to hang out.

(I don’t have pictures of this experience to post for obvious reasons!)

You shower off and then enter one of the tubs. They have tubs with different minerals and salts for all kinds of ailments, saunas and women giving massages. I only tried the tubs, and once you get past the initial awkwardness, it’s absolutely relaxing. Afterward, they have body wash, lotion, oil, etc., for you to use before you leave.

There are also areas where both men and women can hang out (clothed of course). The jimjilbang will even provide these little short and T-shirt outfits for $1 extra. In the common area there are the gym, more saunas, massage tables and even beds to sleep in. The jimjilbang is open 24 hours (and it’s still only $5 to stay the whole time). You can eat in one of the restaurants, and there is a snack bar, too.

The whole thing was a little different, but we felt a lot better afterward!