Korean celebrities are known for their toned physiques, glowing skin, and incredible stamina — but how do they do it? I decided to put myself to the test by following one K-celeb-approved workout every day for a week, from Pilates, which is loved by BLACKPINK’s Jennie to HIIT, a favourite of HyunA.
My Korean Celebrity Inspired Workout Plan
Left: After my K-pop dance class | Right: After a night swim
- Day 1: Swimming (NewJeans’ Danielle) – I started with swimming, a low-impact but full-body workout. It was a refreshing night swim, but my arms and shoulders felt sore by the end.
- Day 2: HIIT (HyunA) – A high-intensity interval training (HIIT) session nearly knocked me out. I could see why HyunA does this — it’s efficient, but I was drenched in sweat and my legs were jelly.
- Day 3: K-Pop Dance – Something that all K-pop idols have to do as part of their training. This was SO fun, but also deceptively tough. Perfecting the moves while staying coordinated left me breathless.
- Day 4: Running (IU, Han Ji-min) – I hit the track for a 3km run—the hardest part was not stopping! By the 2km mark, my knees were starting to feel the strain.
- Day 5: Pilates (BLACKPINK Jennie, Son Ye-jin) – Pilates is a K-celeb staple, and I now understand why. It burned my core, legs, and arms in the best way possible.
- Day 6: Weight Training (Kim Se-jeong, Lee Si-young) – I lifted weights for the first time in ages. My glutes and arms were on fire, and I felt incredibly strong post-session.
- Day 7: Cycling (Song Ji-hyo, Kim Sa-rang) – Cycling was a perfect way to end the week—lower impact than running but still a killer leg workout.
The Results: More Energy, Less Bloating, and Better Sleep
By the end of the week, I only lost 1kg, but the changes were more than just weight:
- I felt more energetic and less sluggish by mid-afternoon
- My sleep improved, and I woke up feeling refreshed
- My skin looked clearer, probably from sweating out toxins
- I felt less bloated, thanks to all the movement
What Kept Me Going: LY Vital-G Body Maintenance Cream
As fun as this challenge was, my muscles were sore, my joints were tired, and recovery was essential. That’s where the LY Vital-G Body Maintenance Cream came in — it became my secret weapon throughout the week.
Infused with Glucosamine & MSM, this plant-based, fast-absorbing cream relieves muscle discomfort, protects against wear and tear, and supports flexibility — like an engine lubricant for my body. I also love that it is non-sticky and non-greasy, and leaves a cooling sensation on the skin.
I applied it before workouts to keep my joints moving smoothly and after workouts to ease soreness. By the third day, I realised I was recovering faster, with less stiffness and fatigue in the mornings.
Final Verdict: Would I Keep Using It? Absolutely.
I spend a lot of time chasing after my two active boys, including a toddler who still insists that I carry him.
Whether you’re working out intensely or just want to maintain mobility as you age, LY Vital-G Body Maintenance Cream is a must-have.
For a mum-of-two like me, chasing after my active boys and carrying a toddler can also put pressure on my back, arms, and knees. I find that even on non-workout days, massaging LY Vital-G into my shoulders and lower back helped ease the daily strain, making the physical demands of mum’s life much more manageable. I have replaced massage oils with this cream as it works synergistically with my massage tools to provide more relief.
Would I continue using it? Absolutely. It has earned a permanent spot in my gym bag — and my daily routine.
Want a FREE Full-sized Bottle of the LY Vital-G (worth S$60)?
Follow these steps!The LY Vital-G Body Maintenance Cream (with Glucosamine and MSM) retails for S$60 and is available on its website, Shopee, Lazada, and at selected retail stores of authorised resellers.
Daily Vanity Readers Share Their Honest Reviews
But don’t just take my word for it. We invited Daily Vanity readers with active and physically demanding lifestyles to try LY Vital-G Body Maintenance Cream for themselves. Here are their honest reviews!
Amanda Tay, 29
Concerns: Muscle ache or discomfort, Joint ache or discomfort
Activities: I have multiple jobs that require me to stand and facilitate for six hours daily. I also have a previous lower back injury, which affects my muscles, causing tension and stiffness.
This cream is a solid addition to my daily wellness routine. It definitely helps with my issues of muscle tension and stiffness.
The cream absorbs quickly into the skin, making it easy to apply without leaving a greasy residue. It also provides a soothing relief… and moisturised skin! The texture is lightweight yet hydrating.
Worth an investment for those seeking long-term muscle and joint care!
Lee Jin Wei, 24
Concerns: Muscle ache or discomfort, Prone to injury, Cramp, strain, or sprain easily, Heel and foot pain
Activities: I need to walk around at work, and walk long distances to commute
This cream comes with a light packaging and the bottle is small enough to carry around easily. I use it whenever my muscles and joints hurt, but I find that it’s versatile and can be used on all areas of the body.
It helped relieve my muscle ache and stiffness, and I like that it has a smooth texture and absorbs quickly without feeling greasy. As a bonus, my skin feels more hydrated and softer after using it, and I’ve noticed some relief from dryness and irritation.
The scent is light, not overpowering, which I appreciate for everyday use. Overall, it’s been effective and gentle on my skin.
Koh Rose Xuan, 23
Concerns: Muscle ache or discomfort, Cramp, strain, or sprain easily
Activities: I stay active with walking, Pilates, and swimming around three times a week
As a first impression, I find that the LY Vital-G Body Maintenance is easy to pump, has a lightweight texture, and it’s interesting that it comes in a yellow cream – a first I’ve seen in similar creams.
It has a natural and herbal smell that reminds me of mints, and glides on easily. It absorbs fast and I like that it is not oily or sticky.
I normally get sore leg muscles after my swim or Pilates, but after using the cream, I don’t feel any pain! While it worked for a few minutes to relieve my lower back pain, I find it coming back again. So, I’ll recommend it more for reducing pain during and after exercise, instead of relieving pain that you’re already suffering from.
Sarah Tan, 34
Concerns: Muscle ache or discomfort, Joint ache or discomfort, Prone to injury, Creaky joints
Activities: I cycle four to five times a week, gym once a week, run two to three times a week, and work in a physically demanding job as a physiotherapist
I’ve used a muscle relief cream from another brand previously, but it mainly only offers a cooling effect to help soothe my muscles.
After using the LY Vital-G Body Maintenance Cream, my joints feel less stiff and my muscles are less painful and tight, my motion feels smoother, and my body is more flexible.
The product has a pleasant smell and is easily absorbed. I find myself looking forward to applying it after my workout or physical activities. I like that it contains glucosamine and other active ingredients that aid in recovery, as well as a cooling after-effect when applied.
Jing Fang, 32
Concerns: Muscle ache or discomfort, Joint ache or discomfort, Cramp, strain, or sprain easily, Heel and foot pain
Activities: I exercise three times a week, stand for long hours, and am always carrying heavy items.
I’ve used other relief creams in the past but have either found the smell overpowering or that they’re ineffective. But the LY Vital-G Body Maintenance Cream deserves a 5-star rating from me!
My first impression of the cream was positive. The packaging was sleek and modern, with clear labeling. The scent was mild and pleasant, not overpowering. The texture was rich and creamy, but not greasy. The cream was easy to apply and absorbed quickly into the skin.
My friends and family have noticed how fast I recover from my workout/physical activity I noticed that it offers longer-lasting relief, while also providing hydration and nourishment to the skin. I like that it’s easy to apply and it really helps relieve my aches almost immediately after application.
Tracy Wong, 37
Concerns: Muscle ache or discomfort
Activities: I work out twice a week and do a variety of activities, including home workouts, going to the gym, HIIT sessions, aerial hoop, aerial hammocks, pilates and yoga.
I have used a pain relief lotion in the past that worked well for me; my only gripe is that it comes in a large bottle and it is not exactly travel-friendly, so I don’t bring it out with me. With the LY Vital-G Body Maintenance Cream, I’m glad that it comes in a travel-friendly pump bottle and has a sporty aesthetic.
The cream is yellow, but I’m glad that it doesn’t leave any yellow tint on my skin. While I’m not a fan of the scent, I find that the product absorbs faster than other products I’ve tried, and I like that it doesn’t leave any sticky residue on my skin.
Most importantly, it helps relieve my muscle ache and improves my post-exercise recovery. I will definitely continue using it!
Jia Ling, 33
Concerns: Joint ache or discomfort, Cramp, strain, or sprain easily
Activities: Lifting of boxes and strength-training on the arms
I’ve not tried any creams for ache relief, usually I’ll just take paracetamol.
The LY Vital-G Body Maintenance Cream comes in a yellow cream, which surprised me at first, but thankfully, the product is effective.
It absorbs fast without feeling oily or sticky, and has helped improve my motion, physical ability, and performance. What’s more, its effects start almost in an instant after application! I also like the smell and how easy it is to apply.
Keith, 40
Concerns: Muscle ache or discomfort
Activities: I work out three times a week and carry my children
Compared to traditional medicated oil, I like that this cream does not drip and cause a mess! The packaging also looks modern and while its scent is similar to other products, it is definitely not as strong. The product also doesn’t sting as badly as other muscle relief cream I’ve tried.
I find that this is by far the best muscle relief cream I’ve tried as it is easy to apply and provide sufficient lubrication for massaging in, and at the same time, it helps make sure my muscles aren’t as sore after my workout. In fact, I even look forward to applying it!
I like that after using it, I feel comfortable enough after my workout to sit at my desk to work without any discomfort.
Overall, I had a positive experience and will recommend it to my friends and family.
Charmé, 44
Concerns: Muscle ache or discomfort, Joint ache or discomfort, Creaky joints, Cramp, strain, or sprain easily
Activities: I walk three or four times a week and do 300 to 400 inclined pull ups.
When I first dispensed the product, the bright yellow was a surprise but I find that it’s a rather cheery colour. It has a light scent and is easy to absorb. No greasy feeling.
I like that it has a “professional” appearance and there is less creaking on my joints when I’m on my walks or walking up the slope or the stairs since I started using it. It has a pleasant smell and provides relief.
I’ve also started using it around my neck area to relieve aches. Good for use anywhere!
William Lin, 60
Concerns: Muscle ache or discomfort, Joint ache or discomfort, Heel and foot pain
Activities: I jog every day.
The product has a natural and herbal scent though I find it a little heavy initially.
I use it daily before my exercise and find that it absorbs fast and doesn’t feel oily or sticky.
It helps improve my physical ability and relieve my muscle and joint pain. I also find that it improves my post-exercise recovery, and my muscles don’t feel as sore after my workout.
I will recommend it to my friends and family as it is an effective brand that I trust.
Want a FREE Full-sized Bottle of the LY Vital-G (worth S$60)?
Follow these steps!This article is brought to you by LY-Lifestyle.
