Japan Calling ...

[moxey]

Hi

 

I currently live in Japan, have been here in the frozen North for about two and half years.  Winter is coming, in fact this is a phrase that Hokkaido people live by.  I have never been interested in physical activity, half-hearted attempts at yoga, running etc never really went anywhere.  When I arrived in Japan I realized that life was near impossible without a bicycle, but due to my lack of skills in general I didn't know how to ride a bike.  So I taught myself how to ride a bike, pretty horrible thought when you're 24 and old women are better, faster and more coordinated than you on two wheels.  I loved biking so much that I invested in a touring bike, I have biked around Japan a fair bit, in my city am the only person who rides on the road.  I am very much alone as a woman cyclist-tourer-lady-person in Japan.

 

 Last spring I attempted to bench-press 30kg at my friend's house, this began my love affair with the iron.  In a few months I had bought my own bench press and was doing a variety of exercises (I had no idea what I was doing).  The past three months I got myself a proper plan worked out and have been weight training three times a week.  Like cycling, I am very much alone in this.  I guess when people think of Japan (especially nerds!) they immediately are drawn to anime, video games, the exciting highly imaginative worlds that Japanese people create.  No-one really thinks about the reality of life here.  Japan is a very conservative country and if you are interested in things like weight training/lifting and not a dude it can be pretty ... lonely.  You have to learn not to care what people think about you because the judgement you receive can be very harsh and off-putting.  But I am sure that can happen anywhere.  

 

So I thought I would join this community so I can get some support and people to talk to about it.  I am currently working on finding a good gym in my area and people to help me but it takes time, so here we are!  

 

Yay lifting heavy!  YAY!  

[CommanderFrou]

Welcome! May I ask where you lived before Japan? I have visited Japan twice but never made it to Hokkaido, although I would've really liked to go. I spent some time out west in Oita visiting a friend and I remember it took me a day or two to get used to being stared and pointed at because I was a tourist. Still had a good time though!

 

I also share your love of heavy - although my training has a bit of everything, the lifting is my favorite part! I think you'll find lots of support and like-minded folks on these forums Keep us posted!

[Basement Cat]

Welcome to the rebellion, Moxey!

 

You'll find plenty of support right here in the community! Good luck with your goals and keep us posted!

[speedwagon]

So interested in more about this from a cross-cultural curiosity. How does it work? Is it that women are seen as unfeminine for lifting? Are there other kinds of exercise that are more ok for women aside from the casual stuff - bike riding etc? 

[Shouathra]

Ooh, timing! 

 

Fellow Japan-dweller here; I was lurking the forums for some motivation and noticed this thread was very recent.  I reside in west Tokyo; only been here for about four months though.  Even in Tokyo it's true about the cycling... it's so much more vast than London ever seemed to be.

 

Regarding women and lifting, I've been pretty open about my hobbies with most of my female students (English teacher FYI).  Used to do Crossfit back in the UK though I spent more time in boxing and specialist Olympic lifting skills sessions than I did actual WODs.  Often I'd get odd looks or an 'eeeh?', but one student also recently took up lifting, so there's almost been a feeling of 'sisters in sensible fitness'.  Haven't properly settled into my own fitness routine yet, but that's a topic for my own thread.

 

I've also felt that the move to Japan has helped me learn to laugh at myself - sticking out like a sore thumb is almost inevitable as a Gaijin it seems, and it's been that final push needed for me to properly accept my true dorky side.

 

Anyway, I'd love to compare 'notes' on life in Japan.  Nice to meet you / yoroshiku onegaishimasu!

[Guest]

Yeah, every male in my life (dad, brother, etc) tries to talk me out of weightlifting. But hey, I love it. When it comes down to it, that's all that matters. What you love.

We're all here for support and motivation Keep at it, and good luck!