When you need this

Plenty of people go to the gym and never touch a barbell. They run on machines, take classes, or do exercises with no equipment at all. These are the words for everything else in the building.

"Cardio" is the big word here. It means any exercise that makes your heart work hard: running, cycling, rowing, dancing. People often split their routine into two parts: "cardio" and "weights." If someone says "I'm doing cardio today," you know they won't be at the bench.

Phrases

exercise that makes your heart beat fast

the running machine

you pull a handle like rowing a boat

a bike that doesn't move

a group class on exercise bikes, with loud music

you push your body up from the floor with your arms

you lift your upper body from lying down

you hold your body straight and still, like a board

jumping over a rope you swing

exercise in your living room, often with a video

exercise that feels like a party

slow movements to make your muscles long and loose

Say it out loud

Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.

Practice · 3 min

Say what you're doing, using the word from the cue.

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Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.