Fitness Without Borders
How Working Out in Different Countries Became My Anchor
Imagine walking into a gym or joining a workout class where no one speaks your language, yet somehow, you feel right at home.
Exercise has become my universal language—a constant in a life of change. Each time I set foot in a new country or city, it was a way to connect, to settle and to experience each place from a familiar point of view. In this post, I’ll share how exercising in different countries became my unexpected anchor and opened doors to connections and cultural insights.
China: A Gym Scene in Development
In China, gym culture is on the rise but still has a unique twist. Many gyms I visited had growing bodybuilding communities—places where young people, mostly in their 20s and 30s, are fully committed to pumping iron and chasing the fitness trends seen on social media. Here, fitness is a part of a trendy, modern lifestyle that’s catching on quickly.
But don’t expect the full-service gyms you’d see back in the West. Options for group classes or diverse equipment are still limited and finding a gym with a full lineup of offerings is rare outside the big cities. Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou have some high-end gyms and sleek boutique studios, but they come at a price, catering mainly to expats and locals with cash to spare. It’s all part of the evolving fitness scene, with China adding its own flair to the global workout culture.
Popular Outdoor Activities and Public Parks
What truly stands out in China, however, is the outdoor fitness culture. In China fitness is often a social event that takes place in parks, squares and open public spaces. Every day, public parks are full with people practicing various forms of exercise. Tai chi, a traditional Chinese martial art that emphasizes gentle, flowing movements, is especially popular among older adults.
In addition to tai chi, public parks often have dedicated areas with basic workout equipment. Elders gather here to use elliptical machines, pull-up bars and stretching stations provided by the city. Badminton and ping pong are also favorite activities, with players using built-in outdoor tables.
Community Exercise and Cultural Wellness
Many seniors incorporate qigong, a practice that combines controlled breathing with gentle movement, into their daily routines. It’s common to see people engaging in morning exercises together, sometimes including several generations.
For younger people who aren’t into bodybuilding or weightlifting, group dance sessions are popular. In the evenings, plazas, squares and dance studios fill with groups synchronized dance routines to upbeat music. This phenomenon has gained massive popularity and it’s not uncommon to see participants from various age groups joining in. For many, these sessions are social gatherings that foster a sense of community and joy.
During my first year in China, I learned that early mornings were a special time for exercise. Each day, I’d be woken up by music drifting up to my apartment—a soft tune almost like a daily alarm clock. Curious, I looked down from my balcony to the courtyard below and saw groups of people, mostly older, moving slowly and in sync. They were practicing tai chi together, each movement smooth and intentional.
The sight was interesting. Every morning, they gathered in the courtyard, like a well-rehearsed dance troupe, as the sun rose over the buildings. I noticed the variety of people joining in—grandparents and babies and I saw how fitness in China is different from the gym routines I knew. Here, it wasn’t just about exercise; it was a social, almost ritualistic start to the day, a way to connect with one another and welcome the morning.
Colombia: Open-Air Gyms and a Strong Community Focus
In Colombia, fitness feels alive and vibrant. Thanks to the climate, many gyms are open-air spaces that take advantage of the fresh air and natural light, which creates an energizing environment. Working out spills out into parks and public squares, turning fitness into a social and visible part of daily life. It’s common to find people exercising to lively music, with instructors calling out routines as groups move together in sync. Unlike the more individual-focused gym culture in many Western countries, fitness in Colombia is often a community-centered activity.
Diverse Participation
In Medellín, a city that’s becoming a fitness hub for both locals and expats, fitness events often double as social gatherings. On weekends, you’ll find workout classes, yoga sessions in parks and even hiking groups that head to the nearby mountains. The sense of community extends beyond the workout itself; people often chat before and after classes, building friendships that last beyond the gym.
One standout aspect of Colombian fitness culture is its connection to dance and music. Dance is a core part of Colombian culture and it shows in their approach to fitness. Zumba classes, which combine Latin music with aerobic dance moves, are especially popular and are often held outdoors in parks or plazas. Salsa-based workouts also add a fun twist, making exercise feel more like a party than a workout. The rhythmic beats of salsa, reggaeton and cumbia fill the air and it’s hard not to feel motivated to join in.
One of the most unexpected and enjoyable parts of living in Medellín was discovering the city’s unique approach to fitness and community on the weekends. Every Sunday, some of the main streets close to cars and turn into wide, open pathways for people to walk, bike, rollerblade and enjoy the outdoors. This event, known as “Ciclovía,” was like nothing I’d seen before—a weekly ritual where the city itself becomes an open-air fitness strip.
Instead of busy streets with honking taxis and buses, there were families biking together, kids zooming past on scooters, couples walking hand-in-hand and fitness enthusiasts jogging or rollerblading. It was clear that this wasn’t just about exercise—it was a social gathering, a chance for people to connect with each other and the city in a whole new way.
Thailand: A Mix of Traditional and Modern Fitness
Fitness centers, especially in major cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai, offer the latest equipment and popular group classes. But what truly sets Thailand apart is its tradition of Muay Thai, a martial art that combines physical strength with mental discipline and respect.
Muay Thai is at the heart of Thai fitness culture. Known as “the art of eight limbs,” Muay Thai incorporates punches, kicks, elbows and knee strikes, making it a full-body workout that combines cardio, strength and agility. It’s common to see locals training alongside tourists in dedicated Muay Thai gyms, from small, authentic gyms in Bangkok to more tourist-friendly training centers in Phuket. People of all ages participate, with young children often starting Muay Thai training as part of their schooling.
Many Thais view physical exercise as a way to not only strengthen the body but also calm the mind. For instance, some Muay Thai practitioners incorporate elements of meditation and mindfulness into their training, focusing on breathing and mental clarity. Yoga classes often emphasize not just physical poses but also meditative practices, making the fitness experience more holistic.
My time in Thailand introduced me to Muay Thai and it became a journey of physical and mental renewal. The year prior, I tore my Achilles, an injury that had me rebuilding my confidence in my body and left me uncertain about pushing myself in intense physical activities. When I first arrived in Bangkok, part of me wondered if training Muay Thai was too ambitious, but I was determined to give it a try.
I spent time training private lessons in a small gym. The training was intense—each session tested my endurance and forced me to confront my limitations. But as the weeks passed, I noticed my confidence in my foot starting to return. Muay Thai requires intense focus and full-body engagement and I realized that every strike, dodge and kick was helping me reconnect with my body, piece by piece.
By the end of those sessions, I was moving with strength and confidence I hadn’t felt in a long time. This balance between physical intensity and mindful discipline restored my trust in my body, showing me that fitness could be as much about healing as it was about strength. My time in Thailand taught me that pushing limits and finding peace are sometimes one and the same.
USA: A Diverse and Driven Fitness Scene
Fitness is a lifestyle for many Americans, who often set specific goals—whether it's to build muscle, improve endurance or lose weight. The focus on progress, tracking and self-improvement shapes the way people approach exercise, creating a culture that’s both highly motivated and incredibly diverse.
Fitness is also an industry here, with trends and new workout styles constantly emerging. In recent years, technology has started to play a major role in U.S. fitness culture, with gyms offering high-tech equipment, apps for tracking progress and virtual classes to accommodate busy schedules.
In addition to physical fitness, the U.S. has seen a growing focus on mental wellness and holistic health within fitness culture. Many gyms and studios now offer meditation sessions, mindfulness practices and even nutrition workshops to help members achieve well-rounded wellness. This shift reflects a greater understanding of the importance of mental health in achieving physical fitness. Boutique studios, for example, often combine yoga and meditation to offer a balanced approach to mind and body health.
My experience in U.S. gyms has always been about pushing my boundaries. Whether through boot camps or circuit training classes, the American approach to fitness tends to emphasize self-improvement and competitiveness.
In the U.S., fitness feels like a community that thrives on personal success, whether it’s lifting heavier weights, running faster or simply showing up and doing the work. The spirit of American fitness culture taught me that every day is a chance to improve and that fitness is about challenging yourself in a way that’s both competitive and deeply rewarding.
Gym Culture as a Window Into Local Life
One of the best parts of traveling is finding ways to see how people in each place live their day-to-day lives. For me, gyms and fitness spaces have become a unique way to connect with local life, offering insights that go beyond tourist sites or popular attractions.
In every country, gyms and fitness routines reflect what’s important to people in that place. In Thailand, I saw how Muay Thai was a point of national pride, with trainers passionately teaching children and adults alike the skills, discipline and respect that come with the sport. In China, public parks became morning gathering spots for tai chi, where older adults practiced in groups and young people took part in aerobics or joined jogging groups. In Colombia, I joined open-air fitness classes in the parks, where the social, vibrant energy was palpable and people were quick to introduce themselves or invite me to a salsa class after the workout. Each experience offered me a glimpse into the values, traditions and social connections that are core to each culture.
Through these experiences, I realized that fitness culture reflects not only physical goals but also social values, respect for tradition and ways of connecting with others. Each country’s fitness spaces became windows into the local way of life, helping me see how wellness goes beyond physical health to include community, tradition and mutual support. When I look back on my travels, these moments remind me that even though fitness might look different everywhere, the core idea—taking time for health and connection—is universal.
Fitness as a Global Anchor
Over the course of my travels, fitness evolved from a simple workout into a profound anchor that helped me feel grounded in unfamiliar places. The experience of working out in different countries gave me a unique glimpse into each culture, from the disciplined Muay Thai gyms of Thailand to the social, open-air classes in Colombia and the communal morning routines in China’s parks. Every workout reminded me that, no matter how far I was from home, I could find a sense of stability and familiarity. Each place offered its own twist on fitness, yet the core elements—discipline, community and self-improvement—were present everywhere.
Working out in a new country can open doors, start conversations and give you a deeper understanding of the place you’re visiting. Don’t be afraid to try new classes, talk to people at the gym or join a community class in the park. Embrace the different fitness cultures you encounter and let them guide you through new, enriching experiences.