FIGUREMAT

FFigureobics — The Story Behind the Movement

There’s a reason Figureobics has transformed lives across the globe.
Its name says it all — “Figure” for a fit, beautiful body, and “Aerobics” for the energy and vitality of cardio exercise. Together, they create a workout that shapes lean, toned muscles while igniting your body’s natural fat-burning power.

The idea was born on the set of the hit Korean documentary series Escape from Extreme Obesity. I was the lead trainer, guiding two courageous women — one weighing 125 kg, the other 105 kg — through a life-changing challenge. With the whole nation watching, the pressure was immense. Their weak knee joints made weight training painful. Running or traditional aerobics risked injury. Yet, easy workouts would yield no results, and overly intense routines were simply impossible to follow.

I scoured the world for a solution — studying countless websites, ordering and reviewing dozens of fitness DVDs from the U.S. — but nothing fit the needs of people with severe obesity. That’s when I realized: I had to create it myself. Having once been obese, I knew exactly what was required — a program that was safe, achievable, effective, and inspiring.

Figureobics was built on six core principles:

1. A 30-minute format to maximize fat-burning potential.
2. Muscle-building movements to boost metabolism.
3. Simple, easy-to-follow steps for any fitness level.
4. Enough fun to keep you going until the very last beat.
5. Safe execution for those with knee or joint pain.
6. Noticeable, rapid results — even for those with severe obesity.

The results were nothing short of extraordinary. Within five months, each woman had lost around 50 kg. One shed an incredible 70 kg; the other, 55 kg. Their bodies — and lives — were completely transformed.

A Figureobics session flows like a story. The moves are drawn from strength training, enhanced with the rhythm and energy of dance, and designed to gradually build intensity. By the final stretch, you’re drenched in sweat — and smiling. Every video was filmed in real time, without editing. If we made a mistake, we started over. Even my most experienced trainers, after hundreds of sessions, were breathless by the end.

The secret? The music. Each track is an original composition, crafted to drive your pace and lift your spirit. You don’t just work out — you move with the music. You forget the clock, and before you know it, you’ve completed 30 minutes that felt like a celebration.

In Korea, there’s a saying: “Better to do it once than to watch it a hundred times.” In English, we say, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” The truth is, no amount of watching will match the feeling of doing. Start and finish a single session, and you’ll understand — Figureobics isn’t just another workout. It’s a program designed to change your body, and maybe even your life.

I created Figureobics nearly 20 years ago, and I still do it every single day. And I know this: twenty years from now, I’ll still be here — moving, sweating, smiling — and living the Figureobics way.