At the Gym
intermediate在健身房
Learn vocabulary for exercises, gym equipment, body parts, and fitness culture in China — from lifting weights to yoga and beyond.
39 words12 phrases2 dialogues~25 min study time
Vocabulary
39 words — click any row for an example sentence
Exercises
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 跑步 | pǎobù | to run; jogging | verb |
| 举重 | jǔzhòng | weightlifting | noun |
| 俯卧撑 | fǔwòchēng | push-up | noun |
| 仰卧起坐 | yǎngwò qǐzuò | sit-up | noun |
| 深蹲 | shēndūn | squat | noun |
| 拉伸 | lāshēn | to stretch; stretching | verb |
| 有氧运动 | yǒuyǎng yùndòng | aerobic exercise; cardio | noun |
| 无氧运动 | wúyǎng yùndòng | anaerobic exercise; strength training | noun |
| 瑜伽 | yújiā | yoga | noun |
| 游泳 | yóuyǒng | to swim; swimming | verb |
| 平板支撑 | píngbǎn zhīchēng | plank | noun |
Equipment
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 跑步机 | pǎobùjī | treadmill | noun |
| 哑铃 | yǎlíng | dumbbell | noun |
| 杠铃 | gānglíng | barbell | noun |
| 瑜伽垫 | yújiā diàn | yoga mat | noun |
| 动感单车 | dònggǎn dānchē | spin bike; stationary bike | noun |
| 拉力器 | lālìqì | resistance band; cable machine | noun |
Body Parts
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 肌肉 | jīròu | muscle | noun |
| 腹肌 | fùjī | abdominal muscles; abs | noun |
| 手臂 | shǒubì | arm | noun |
| 腿 | tuǐ | leg | noun |
| 背 | bèi | back | noun |
| 胸 | xiōng | chest | noun |
| 肩膀 | jiānbǎng | shoulder | noun |
| 腰 | yāo | waist; lower back | noun |
Membership & Training
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 会员 | huìyuán | member; membership | noun |
| 教练 | jiàoliàn | coach; trainer | noun |
| 私教课 | sījiào kè | personal training session | noun |
| 健身房 | jiànshēnfáng | gym; fitness center | noun |
Fitness Goals
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 锻炼 | duànliàn | to exercise; to work out | verb |
| 减肥 | jiǎnféi | to lose weight | verb |
| 增肌 | zēngjī | to build muscle; bulking | verb |
| 体重 | tǐzhòng | body weight | noun |
| 坚持 | jiānchí | to persist; to keep at it | verb |
| 热身 | rèshēn | warm-up | noun |
| 酸痛 | suāntòng | sore; aching | adjective |
| 出汗 | chū hàn | to sweat | verb |
| 健康 | jiànkāng | healthy; health | adjective |
| 蛋白质 | dànbáizhì | protein | noun |
Key Phrases
Essential expressions
你几点去健身房？
Nǐ jǐ diǎn qù jiànshēnfáng?
What time are you going to the gym?
Making plans with a friend to work out together.
今天练什么部位？
Jīntiān liàn shénme bùwèi?
What body part are you training today?
A common question between gym-goers at the start of a workout.
帮我看一下动作标不标准。
Bāng wǒ kàn yīxià dòngzuò biāo bù biāozhǔn.
Can you check if my form is correct?
Asking a trainer or friend to spot-check your exercise form.
运动前要先热身。
Yùndòng qián yào xiān rèshēn.
You should warm up before exercising.
Basic gym advice about injury prevention.
你想办会员卡吗？
Nǐ xiǎng bàn huìyuán kǎ ma?
Would you like to get a membership card?
What gym staff or salespeople ask potential members.
我想请一个私人教练。
Wǒ xiǎng qǐng yī ge sīrén jiàoliàn.
I want to hire a personal trainer.
Asking about personal training services at the gym.
练完了吗？我用一下这个器材。
Liàn wán le ma? Wǒ yòng yīxià zhège qìcái.
Are you done? I would like to use this equipment.
Politely asking if someone is finished with a piece of equipment.
健身最重要的是坚持。
Jiànshēn zuì zhòngyào de shì jiānchí.
The most important thing about fitness is persistence.
Common motivational advice in fitness culture.
三分练，七分吃。
Sān fēn liàn, qī fēn chī.
Thirty percent training, seventy percent diet.
A popular Chinese fitness saying emphasizing the importance of nutrition.
今天练腿，明天可能走不了路了。
Jīntiān liàn tuǐ, míngtiān kěnéng zǒu bù liǎo lù le.
Leg day today. Tomorrow I probably will not be able to walk.
A humorous and relatable complaint about leg day soreness.
你的身材真好，怎么练的？
Nǐ de shēncái zhēn hǎo, zěnme liàn de?
You are in great shape. How do you train?
Complimenting someone on their fitness and asking for tips.
我浑身酸痛，昨天练得太狠了。
Wǒ húnshēn suāntòng, zuótiān liàn de tài hěn le.
My whole body is sore. I went too hard yesterday.
Describing post-workout muscle soreness the next day.
Dialogues
Practice conversations
Signing Up for a Gym Membership
Xiao Wang visits a new gym and talks to the front desk staff about getting a membership.
Speaker A
你好，请问你们这里怎么办会员卡？
Speaker B
您好！我们有月卡、季卡和年卡。月卡三百块，季卡八百块，年卡两千五。
Speaker A
年卡比较划算。你们有游泳池吗？
Speaker B
有的，游泳池和桑拿都包含在会员费里。我们还有各种团课，比如瑜伽和动感单车。
Speaker A
那私教课呢？多少钱一节？
Speaker B
私教课是另外收费的，一节课三百块。买十节送两节。
Speaker A
好的，我先办一张年卡吧。可以刷卡吗？
Speaker B
可以，微信支付宝也行。办完以后我带您参观一下健身房。
Cultural note: Chinese gyms often have aggressive sales tactics. Staff may approach you on the street or call frequently after you show interest. Annual memberships are heavily promoted because they generate the most revenue. It is common for gyms to offer "buy X sessions, get Y free" deals for personal training. Always read the contract carefully before signing.
Working Out with a Friend
Two friends, Xiao Li and Xiao Zhang, meet at the gym and train together, discussing their routines.
Speaker A
今天练什么？我打算练胸和手臂。
Speaker B
我今天练腿。昨天休息了一天，今天有力气了。
Speaker A
练腿最辛苦了，你加油！先热身五分钟吧。
Speaker B
好。对了，你最近在减肥还是增肌？
Speaker A
增肌。教练让我多吃蛋白质，少吃油腻的东西。
Speaker B
三分练七分吃嘛。我也得注意饮食了。你能帮我看一下深蹲的动作标不标准吗？
Speaker A
没问题。记得膝盖不要超过脚尖，背要挺直。
Speaker B
好的，谢谢！练完以后去吃个健康餐吧。
Cultural note: The Chinese fitness saying "三分练，七分吃" (thirty percent training, seventy percent diet) is widely known. Working out with friends is popular in China and helps with accountability. Checking each other's form (看动作) is a common practice. Post-workout meals at health-food restaurants or "轻食" (qīngshí, light/healthy food) shops have become trendy in Chinese cities.
Cultural Notes
Context that textbooks miss
Test Yourself
8 questions covering vocabulary, phrases, and dialogue comprehension.
Take the At the Gym Quiz (8 questions)→HSK Level Overlap
14 of 39 words appear in HSK levels
Further Reading
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