Common English Idioms About Exercise

Common English Idioms About Exercise

English is rich with idioms that relate to exercise. These expressions, often figurative, go beyond the literal meaning of the words to convey a deeper meaning or cultural understanding. Learning these idioms can enrich your understanding of the language and how Englishspeakers think about physical activity.

Common Idioms

• 
  Hit the gym/the gym:
  
  This idiom means to go to the gym to exercise. It’s a very common and straightforward expression.
• 
  Get in shape:
  
  This means to improve your physical condition, often by exercising and eating a healthy diet.
• 
  Work up a sweat:
  
  This means to exercise so hard that you sweat. It highlights the physical exertion involved in the activity.
• 
  Take it easy:
  
  While not specifically about exercise, “take it easy” is often used to advise someone to not exercise too intensely, or to simply relax.
• 
  Get your blood pumping:
  
  This idiom suggests doing something physically active to increase circulation and energy levels.
• 
  Burn calories:
  
  This is a more literal and specific idiom referring to the loss of energy/calories through exercise.
• 
  Train like a maniac:
  
  This idiom refers to someone who exercises intensely and is very disciplined about it.
• 
  Put in the work:
  
  This idiom, not directly about exercise, can be used to describe the effort put into improving fitness. It’s a general phrase for any hard work undertaken.
• 
  Push yourself:
  
  This means to challenge yourself physically to improve yourfitness. It highlights the importance of effort and exceeding personal limits.
• 
  Keep fit:
  
  To stay healthy and maintain good physical condition. It relates to maintaining a regular fitness routine.

Understanding the Context

It’s important to consider the context when hearing or using these idioms. ‘Take it easy’ might be used in a friendly way to encourage someone to lower the intensity of their workout, or it might be a casual way of saying ‘relax’.

Understanding these idioms will help youto better understand the nuances of the English language and how native speakers talk about exercise.