Today, I’ll introduce ‘Core Museums,’ where you can have a special experience in Samseong-dong, Seoul!
This place goes beyond a simple workout space—it's filled with a sophisticated, gallery-like interior and artistic objects.
Thanks to the high ceilings and stylish design, you can feel a special atmosphere as if you’re strolling through an art museum, even while working out.
It’s a special space that both beginners and fitness lovers can enjoy, so please refer to today’s blog!
👇Check more below!👇
[Spot] Gangnam Pilates | Core Museums
Why We Recommend It
- Core Museums is a premium wellness center—a sensory space filled with music and fragrance. It goes beyond a simple workout space, allowing you to experience core training like art in the heart of Samseong-dong, where tradition and modernity coexist. Plus, you’ll be offered a refreshing and healthy omija tea as a welcome drink before your workout, making the experience even more special.
- It’s safe and comfortable as it offers customized classes exclusively for foreigners. The 60-minute foreigner-only classes are longer than regular ones, so you can fully experience both exercise and stretching. Experienced instructors provide 1:1 or group customized training, so even beginners can participate without pressure.
- You can do everything from core training to stretching and strength exercises at once. Centered around the Pilates-inspired ‘Coreformer,’ the classes integrate core strengthening, flexibility, and strength training. You can balance your body and energy at the same time.
- You can enjoy exercise, sightseeing, and healing all at once. Right in front of the studio is Seonjeongneung, perfect for a peaceful walk in the city, and nearby is COEX, where you can enjoy shopping and cultural experiences all in one go.
- After class, you’ll be provided with generously sized premium body tissues to wipe off sweat cleanly. The tissues have a luxury brand perfume scent, so you can finish your workout feeling refreshed and stylish.
Our Visit
Hello. Today, I visited ‘Core Museums’ located in Samseong-dong, Seoul.
Right near the studio are Seolleung and Jeongneung, royal tombs from the Joseon Dynasty.
This place is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so it’s a popular tourist course for foreign visitors, and you can enjoy a peaceful walk even in the city.
Also, just a short walk away is COEX, Seoul’s representative multi-cultural complex!
Not only can you work out and train your body, but before and after class you can explore historical sites, go shopping, visit exhibitions, or tour cafes—all in one, making it the perfect location to satisfy both travel and exercise.
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When you arrive and go down the stairs, you’ll find the studio entrance right away.
From the moment you step inside, the grandeur and sophisticated interior, as if you’ve entered a museum, heighten your anticipation.
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When you open the door and enter, you change into indoor slippers provided at the entrance and leave your shoes to the side, which was convenient.
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The editor used the changing room next to the entrance to quickly change into the clothes prepared for exercise.
Even the changing room was decorated with such attention to detail that it was impressive.
I also really liked that there was a large mirror, so you could tidy up your outfit before working out!
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Once you finish changing, you can put your clothes and other belongings in a locker for safekeeping.
For reference, non-slip socks are a must when exercising at 'Core Museums'!
But even if you didn't bring them, you can purchase them at the studio, so there's no need to worry.
After changing, I took a proper look around the studio.
The studio overall felt spacious, pleasant, and grand, and the especially high ceiling added to that feeling.
In fact, the ceiling height at 'Core Museums' is an impressive 4.5~4.6m, which, compared to regular Pilates centers, offers a unique experience as if you were exercising in a museum or art gallery.
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In the main workout area, there are six exercise machines arranged, allowing for small group lessons with a 6:1 ratio.
The exercise equipment used here is a special machine called the 'Coreformer,' which you don't often see in regular Pilates studios.
The Coreformer is a piece of equipment that flexibly combines the alignment of a Pilates reformer with the resistance system of a Megaformer, helping you precisely train your core and simultaneously restore full-body movement and balance.
A major advantage is that you can experience deep stimulation in a stable environment, while also regaining flexibility and a sense of balance at the same time.
Also, there were eye-catching dumbbells on one side of the workout space.
These dumbbells are custom-made products unique to 'Core Museums,' with an excellent grip that made them comfortable to use during workouts, and when not in use, they can serve as interior decor objects.
When the editor first saw them, the design was so sophisticated that it was hard to believe they were real dumbbells.
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After passing the group lesson area, you'll find the lounge.
The lounge is a comfortable relaxation space where you can freely rest before or after your workout, decorated like a five-star hotel lounge so you can relax and heal at your leisure.
In fact, many members read books, enjoy tea time, and network here.
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The lounge is equipped with a water purifier and coffee machine for convenient use, and it's a great place to recharge your energy with a short break before your workout, just like the editor did.
Also, at 'Core Museums,' they serve omija tea as a welcome tea before your workout!
You can comfortably relax and wait for your class while enjoying tea in the stylish and pleasant lounge.
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At 'Core Museums,' you could enjoy artwork throughout the studio.
They said that they've displayed homages to existing works, arranged by concept.
The combination of stylish paintings in a high-ceilinged space brought the special atmosphere to life even more, making it feel as if I were in a gallery or museum.
On top of that, a subtle and sophisticated fragrance filled the studio, enhancing the luxuriousness of the space and highlighting its gallery-like vibe.
It turns out that this scent is also used by famous brands like Lululemon and Kyobo Bookstore.
The carefully selected fragrance made the space’s identity even more special, and I felt like I could experience a pleasant sense of healing throughout my workout.
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Another point that completes the gallery vibe of the studio is the captions beneath the paintings.
Being able to read explanations about the works made them more than just decorations—they became artistic elements that conveyed the overall concept and message of the space.
What I found especially interesting while looking at the paintings was that Core Museums’ own custom-made dumbbells appear in the artwork.
A painting that looks as if a blacksmith is forging a dumbbell added to the fun of viewing, and it offered not only exercise but also the joy of members chatting about the artworks together.
There were also hidden points in the paintings hanging in the lounge.
If you look closely, you’ll find Pilates equipment hidden throughout the paintings.
Through these touches, they wanted to show that Pilates equipment is more than just exercise tools—they have a long tradition and history.
Finding hidden gym balls or dumbbells in the paintings throughout the space was another fun point!
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The studio was stylishly decorated overall, and the objects placed throughout the space added to the atmosphere, making it a great place to take photos.
In particular, there’s a separate photo zone where you can really capture the pretty objects and gallery vibe.
As you can see in the photo, the spot with “poser” written on the mirror is said to be an especially great place for beautiful photos.
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There were a total of three photo zones. The editor also took lots of pictures!
Perhaps because they specifically selected the most photogenic spots in the studio, the high ceilings and gallery concept really stood out.
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After touring the studio, I also checked out the private lesson area.
This space is for 1:1 or 2:1 private sessions, equipped with a Coreformer and barrel, so you can enjoy a variety of workouts.
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This area was also decorated with artworks and props, and hand cream and aroma oil were provided.
It seems like the perfect choice for those who want to exercise in a more focused environment.
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Even the restroom here was decorated with great style.
They say they use a heavier fragrance in the restroom to suppress various odors.
Aren’t they really attentive?
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You could find thoughtful touches for members everywhere.
First, there were hair ties and bobby pins provided for female members, so you can work out without any distractions.
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Also, several air purifiers were installed, so I was always able to exercise in a fresh environment.
Lastly, there was a Wi-Fi QR code placed opposite the entrance, so you could easily connect without having to enter a complicated password.
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Before officially starting the class, I did some light stretching on the equipment.
If you arrive a little early and loosen up your body, the class goes much more smoothly, so I recommend coming about 10 minutes early!
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After finishing my stretching, the class began.
Thanks to the numbered markings on the equipment floor, it was easy to follow the instructor’s directions, and the equipment itself was stable yet provided a definite workout, which was impressive.
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The instructor carefully corrected our posture and kept checking to make sure the exercises were effective, so I felt safe while working out.
Also, there were mirrors in front and on the side, so I could check my posture accurately while exercising.
Lastly, we also tried some standing movements.
Although they looked easy, actually doing them made me sweat a lot and proved to be very effective.
The class lasted a total of 60 minutes, including both exercise and relaxation time.
During the last 10–15 minutes of relaxation time, we had a session with aromatherapy to help detox and refresh our mood.
Thanks to this time, I was able to enjoy both exercise and healing.
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If any member sweated a lot during class, the instructor would personally bring a small towel and hang it on the equipment.
The size was just right so it didn’t get in the way of exercising, and thanks to this kind of thoughtful care, I could focus even more on my workout.
After finishing the workout, you just wipe down the equipment with the disinfectant wipes provided.
After wiping down the equipment, I took a final “Ounwan” (Today’s Workout Complete) certification photo at the photo zone, which is a popular trend in Korea!
Another detailed point of ‘Core Museums’ was the premium body wipes provided after the workout,
There are two scents in total: No. 1 is freesia, and No. 2 is Diptyque Do Son scent.
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Unlike the small size you might expect, these were large enough to wipe your whole body, which was very satisfying, and as a premium product, the material was excellent.
When the editor tried it personally, the cooling sensation was just right and refreshing, and the subtle scent lingered like my own skin scent, making me feel healed.
The material was so nice that it felt like a waste to throw it away after just one use.
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Once you finish all the steps like this, you can change back into your clothes in the changing room, put on your shoes, and head home!
At the entrance, there was a chair where you could comfortably sit and put on your shoes, and even a shoehorn was provided—once again, the attention to small details really stood out.
When you step outside after your workout, you’re greeted by this refreshing, healing view—the place in the photo is Seolleung and Jeongneung, which are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Normally, there is a separate admission fee, but for those visiting ‘Core Museums’, admission tickets to Seolleung and Jeongneung are provided, so I highly recommend stopping by for a walk after your workout!
The 'Core Museums' I introduced today is more than just a workout space—it’s a special place where you can enjoy a gallery-like atmosphere, thoughtful details, and even healing and travel within Seoul.
Strengthen your body and mind through exercise, take photos at the beautiful photo zones, and add a peaceful walk at Seolleung and Jeongneung for a truly fulfilling day.
If you want to enjoy exercise, culture, and healing all at once while traveling in Seoul, I highly recommend this studio—be sure to visit!
How to Get There
Exit through Seolleung Station Exit 10.
Go straight.
Keep going straight.
Turn left at the alley by the Starbucks building.
Go straight.
Cross the street to the other side, then go straight.
Keep going straight.
When you see the corner, turn right.
Go straight.
Keep going straight.
At the crosswalk, cross to the other side.
Go straight.
Keep going straight.
Arrived at 'Core Museums' on the 1st floor of the building!
[스팟] CORE MUSEUMS | Gangnam Pilates
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