Health and fitness companies in South Korea are expanding their efforts in an attempt to reduce the country’s increasing obesity rates.

Bally Total Fitness has opened its third franchised club in the area with plans for a fourth site this spring.

Located in the affluent residential area of Banpo-dong Seocho-gu in Seoul, the club has 20 personal trainers, eight indoor golf lanes and a range of classes including Kwando, an intense cardiovascular and strength conditioning class incorporating boxing, tae kwon do and karate.

The launch comes as the government considers measures to tackle the rising number of overweight South Koreans, which has jumped from 22 to 36 per cent in the last decade.

Robert Moschorak, managing director of franchise operations for Bally Total Fitness, said: “We are expanding in the South Korean market at an appropriate time given the government’s focus on health and fitness.”

He said the company was also looking at other opportunities for growth. Meanwhile, South Korean martial arts and body building professional John Yo is expanding his fitness concept following the success of his flagship site.

Home Gym DN first launched in Seoul in 2003. The concept is a fusion of kettleball training – a Russian athletic training method dating from the 18th century – and functional training machines from Vortex Fitness.

Yo says the combination delivers great results in a short period of time. It also takes up minimal space – ideal for club owners constrained by limited capacity.

Photograph: John Yo