The story
The owner first came to Sokcho by way of aviation, not fitness. He served as an Air Force officer and piloted aircraft, but when COVID made airline hiring difficult, he moved to Sokcho while building flight hours at Yangyang Airport. Training had already been his hobby, especially difficult movements and competitive CrossFit-style practice, and that hobby became the business. He opened as CrossFit Sokcho in 2023, then expanded, moved, and rebranded as Livrow Sokcho in 2025.
“내일을 위해 오늘을 살아라. 오늘을 단련해야지 내일을 대비할 수 있다. - Live today for tomorrow. Train today so you can be ready for tomorrow.”
Owner, Livrow Sokcho
What they stand for
Livrow combines Live and Tomorrow, and the name carries the owner's training philosophy: today's practice is preparation for tomorrow. He likes CrossFit because it has impact, measurable scores, and a competitive edge rather than vague exercise. HYROX adds a different rhythm: around 40 minutes of running mixed with weighted movements, repeating aerobic and anaerobic work so cardio does not mean losing strength. The goal is to make Sokcho feel like a place where travelers can train seriously, not only eat, hike, and leave.
Behind the signature
The clearest Livrow experience is the contrast between a short CrossFit WOD and a longer HYROX-style session. A WOD compresses high-intensity functional training into roughly 15-20 minutes, records scores, and gives visitors the competitive spark the owner enjoys. HYROX runs closer to 40 minutes, using running plus loaded movements to balance endurance with muscle work. Outside the gym, the same logic extends to Sokcho itself: Cheongdaesan trail runs, Yeongnangho and Cheongchoho lake loops, Songjiho in Goseong, Naksan Beach deck paths in Yangyang, and smaller mountains such as Sinseondae all become part of the training map.
Local tip
Look for the Nonghyup building on Donghae-daero; Livrow is on the second floor. For a normal drop-in, DM before visiting and arrive ready to train. For a group session, custom programs are available between 13:00 and 17:00 for groups of four or more, with bodyweight movements and simple equipment available for beginners.
Seasonal note
Summer is the heavy drop-in season. During one two-month summer stretch, about 400 travelers visited in team-style groups of roughly ten people, showing that Livrow already works as a trip activity rather than only a local gym.
For travelers
Foreign guests have already come from Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, and China, usually reserving through Instagram DM and paying on site by card. The owner can communicate in English for the reservation flow; once inside, visitors should share their training level and injuries so the coach can scale the session appropriately.
