Vocabulary Related to Gym and Fitness

Vocabulary Related to the Gym and Fitness

Hello, English learners! Welcome to a new lesson! If you enjoy exercising or talking about fitness, this post is for you. Gym-related vocabulary is common in everyday conversations, social media, and even exam speaking tasks. In this lesson, you’ll learn useful vocabulary related to the gym and fitness, including equipment, training phrases, and common gym slang — all explained clearly with natural example sentences.

Gym-Related Vocabulary

Treadmill

Meaning: a fitness machine that allows you to walk, jog, or run indoors.

Every morning, I start my workout with twenty minutes on the treadmill.

Cross-trainer

Meaning: a machine that works both the upper and lower body at the same time.

She used the cross-trainer for half an hour to improve her endurance.

Dumbbells

Meaning: free weights held in each hand, used for strength training.

I finished my workout with dumbbell exercises for my shoulders.

Barbell

Meaning: a long metal bar with weights attached at each end.

Barbell exercises help activate several muscle groups at once.

Bench press

Meaning: a weight-training exercise that strengthens the chest, shoulders, and arms.

He’s been increasing the weight on his bench press gradually.

Squat rack

Meaning: a piece of equipment used to safely perform squats with a barbell.

She adjusted the squat rack before starting her workout.

Deadlift

Meaning: a weightlifting exercise where a barbell is lifted from the floor.

Learning proper deadlift technique is essential to avoid injury.

Fitness and Exercise Phrases

Warm-up

Meaning: light exercises done before training to prepare the body.

Always do a warm-up before lifting heavy weights.

Cool down

Meaning: gentle movement or stretching after exercise.

I finished my run with a short cool down and some stretching.

HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training)

Meaning: short bursts of intense exercise followed by rest periods.

HIIT workouts are great if you don’t have much time to train.

Cardio

Meaning: exercise that increases heart rate and improves heart health.

I try to include cardio in my routine at least three times a week.

Resistance training

Meaning: exercise that builds strength by working against resistance.

Resistance training helps improve muscle tone and strength.

Reps (repetitions)

Meaning: how many times you repeat an exercise movement.

I did ten reps of squats in each set.

Sets

Meaning: groups of repetitions performed before resting.

She completed three sets of lunges with short breaks in between.

Gym Slang and Informal Expressions

To smash a workout

Meaning: (informal) to have a very successful and intense workout.

I smashed my workout today and feel great.

Gym bunny

Meaning: someone who loves going to the gym regularly.

He’s a real gym bunny — he never misses a session.

Getting hench

Meaning: becoming noticeably muscular (informal, British English).

After months of training, he’s really getting hench.

Leg day

Meaning: a workout focused on the lower body.

Leg day is tough, but it’s essential for balance and strength.

No pain, no gain

Meaning: effort and discomfort are necessary for progress.

She kept going, repeating “no pain, no gain” to stay motivated.

Sweating buckets

Meaning: sweating a lot during exercise (informal).

After the HIIT session, I was sweating buckets.

Spot me

Meaning: asking someone to help or watch you while lifting weights.

Can you spot me while I try this heavier weight?

Fitness vocabulary is often informal and conversational, so listening to how people talk at the gym or in videos can help you sound more natural. Learn the phrases in chunks, not as single words, and practise using them in context.

Phrasal verbs related to sports and exercise

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