I’ve lived in Japan for well over a decade and have joined quite a few health clubs and sports gyms during that time. One thing I’ve always found interesting—and a bit surprising—is the age range of the people who tend to use them.
In my experience here, the majority of members are 40 years (on the younger end) and older. By contrast, when I was in my 20s and 30s in the USA, gyms were mostly people in their 20s–30s, with older members being a much smaller percentage.
Another difference I’ve noticed is how people work out. In Japan, the only younger members I see at gyms tend to be men lifting weights, whereas in the US there were always a lot of younger people—men and women—doing group classes like kickboxing, yoga, spin, etc.
Not saying one approach is better than the other—it just feels like almost the opposite of the exercise/lifestyle culture I was used to back in the US. Is there generally less emphasis/interest in working out here?
Has anyone else noticed this?
Or am I just seeing a skewed sample depending on location, gym type, or time of day (though I go randomly days and nights)?
I’m genuinely curious to hear other perspectives, especially from people who’ve lived in both countries or in another country where they noticed similar discrepancies.
by SunDaze009