To say “exercise” in Spanish, the most common and versatile word is ejercicio. You can also say hacer ejercicio which means “to do exercise.” This guide will explore the various ways to talk about physical activity and fitness in Spanish, ensuring you can communicate effectively about getting active.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced fitness enthusiast, knowing the right Spanish vocabulary will open up a world of communication. From casual chats about staying active to discussing specific workout routines, this comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge you need. We’ll delve into different types of exercises, ways to describe physical activity, and common phrases used in the context of health and fitness in Spanish-speaking countries.
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The Core Term: Ejercicio
The word ejercicio is the cornerstone of talking about physical activity in Spanish. It’s a masculine noun and can be used in many contexts, just like “exercise” in English.
Common Uses of “Ejercicio”
- General physical activity: “Necesito hacer más ejercicio.” (I need to do more exercise.)
- A specific exercise: “Este ejercicio es muy bueno para la espalda.” (This exercise is very good for the back.)
- A workout session: “Tuve un ejercicio intenso esta mañana.” (I had an intense workout this morning.)
Using “Hacer Ejercicio”
The verb phrase hacer ejercicio is incredibly common and means “to do exercise.” It’s essential for describing the act of engaging in physical activity.
- “Me gusta hacer ejercicio en el parque.” (I like to do exercise in the park.)
- “¿Cuánto tiempo dedicas a hacer ejercicio a la semana?” (How much time do you dedicate to doing exercise per week?)
- “Es importante hacer ejercicio regularmente.” (It is important to do exercise regularly.)
Expanding Your Vocabulary: Beyond “Ejercicio”
While ejercicio is fundamental, Spanish offers a richer vocabulary to describe different facets of physical activity.
“Actividad Física”: The Broader Term
Actividad física translates to “physical activity.” This term is broader than ejercicio and can encompass any bodily movement that uses energy. It’s a great way to talk about being active in a general sense.
- “Fomentar la actividad física desde la infancia es clave.” (Promoting physical activity from childhood is key.)
- “Cualquier actividad física es mejor que nada.” (Any physical activity is better than nothing.)
- “Mi trabajo implica mucha actividad física.” (My job involves a lot of physical activity.)
“Entrenamiento”: Focused Workout
Entrenamiento refers to a “training” session or a structured workout designed to improve a specific skill or fitness level. It implies a more focused and often more intense approach.
- “Hoy tengo un entrenamiento de fuerza.” (Today I have a strength training session.)
- “El entrenamiento de un atleta es muy riguroso.” (An athlete’s training is very rigorous.)
- “Estoy siguiendo un nuevo entrenamiento para correr una maratón.” (I am following a new training plan to run a marathon.)
“Deporte”: Sports and Athletics
Deporte means “sport” or “athletic activity.” This term is used when referring to specific games or competitive physical activities.
- “¿Practicas algún deporte?” (Do you play any sport?)
- “El fútbol es mi deporte favorito.” (Soccer is my favorite sport.)
- “Participé en una competición de deportes acuáticos.” (I participated in a water sports competition.)
“Gimnasia”: Gymnastics and General Fitness
Gimnasia can refer to “gymnastics” as a sport, but it also has a broader meaning of “gymnastics” in the sense of exercises performed for fitness, flexibility, or rehabilitation. It’s a bit like the English word “gymnastics” in its dual usage.
- “La gimnasia rítmica requiere mucha gracia.” (Rhythmic gymnastics requires a lot of grace.)
- “Hago gimnasia para mejorar mi flexibilidad.” (I do gymnastics to improve my flexibility.)
- “En la clase de educación física, hicimos gimnasia.” (In physical education class, we did gymnastics.)
“Movimiento”: The Essence of Activity
Movimiento means “movement.” It’s the most fundamental term and refers to the act of moving the body. It’s useful when talking about the general concept of being active without necessarily performing a structured ejercicio.
- “El cuerpo necesita movimiento para estar sano.” (The body needs movement to be healthy.)
- “Incluso un poco de movimiento al día marca la diferencia.” (Even a little movement a day makes a difference.)
- “Evita estar en movimiento constante para conservar energía.” (Avoid being in constant movement to conserve energy.)
Describing Your Fitness Journey
When you’re working towards ponerse en forma (getting in shape), you’ll use various terms to describe your efforts and goals.
“Rutina”: Your Regular Schedule
A rutina is a “routine” or a regular schedule. This is perfect for describing your consistent ejercicio plan.
- “Tengo una rutina de ejercicios por la mañana.” (I have an exercise routine in the morning.)
- “Esta nueva rutina me está ayudando mucho.” (This new routine is helping me a lot.)
- “Cambiar tu rutina puede ser refrescante.” (Changing your routine can be refreshing.)
“Ponerse en Forma”: The Goal of Getting Fit
Ponerse en forma is a common and vital phrase that means “to get in shape” or “to become fit.”
- “Quiero ponerme en forma antes del verano.” (I want to get in shape before summer.)
- “Comencé a ponerme en forma el mes pasado.” (I started getting in shape last month.)
- “Es un proceso gradual ponerse en forma.” (Getting in shape is a gradual process.)
“Salud Física”: The Foundation
Salud física means “physical health.” This is the overarching goal of most ejercicio and actividad física.
- “La salud física es tan importante como la mental.” (Physical health is as important as mental health.)
- “Practicar ejercicio mejora tu salud física.” (Practicing exercise improves your physical health.)
- “Mantener una buena salud física requiere constancia.” (Maintaining good physical health requires consistency.)
Categorizing Types of Exercise
Spanish also has specific terms for different types of physical activities.
Cardio vs. Strength Training
- Cardio: Often referred to simply as “cardio” (borrowed from English) or sometimes as ejercicio cardiovascular.
- “Hago cardio tres veces por semana.” (I do cardio three times a week.)
- “El ejercicio cardiovascular es bueno para el corazón.” (Cardiovascular exercise is good for the heart.)
- Strength Training: This is typically translated as entrenamiento de fuerza or ejercicio de fuerza.
- “Hoy me toca entrenamiento de fuerza.” (Today it’s my turn for strength training.)
- “El ejercicio de fuerza ayuda a construir músculo.” (Strength exercise helps build muscle.)
Flexibility and Balance
- Flexibility: This is often flexibilidad or elasticidad.
- “Las rutinas de yoga mejoran la flexibilidad.” (Yoga routines improve flexibility.)
- “Estirar ayuda a ganar elasticidad.” (Stretching helps gain elasticity.)
- Balance: Referred to as equilibrio.
- “Ejercicios como el tai chi mejoran el equilibrio.” (Exercises like tai chi improve balance.)
Specific Activities
- Running: Correr (verb), la carrera (noun – the act of running or a race).
- “Me gusta correr por la mañana.” (I like to run in the morning.)
- “Participé en una carrera de 5 kilómetros.” (I participated in a 5-kilometer race.)
- Walking: Caminar (verb), la caminata (noun – the act of walking or a walk).
- “Una caminata diaria es beneficiosa.” (A daily walk is beneficial.)
- “Vamos a caminar por el sendero.” (Let’s walk along the path.)
- Swimming: Nadar (verb), la natación (noun – swimming as a sport or activity).
- “Nadar es un excelente ejercicio para todo el cuerpo.” (Swimming is an excellent full-body exercise.)
- “La natación es mi actividad favorita.” (Swimming is my favorite activity.)
- Yoga: Yoga (same word).
- “Practicar yoga reduce el estrés.” (Practicing yoga reduces stress.)
- Pilates: Pilates (same word).
- “El Pilates fortalece el core.” (Pilates strengthens the core.)
- Dancing: Bailar (verb), el baile (noun – the dance or the act of dancing).
- “Bailar es una forma divertida de hacer ejercicio.” (Dancing is a fun way to exercise.)
- “Tomé clases de baile latino.” (I took Latin dance classes.)
Common Phrases and Expressions
Here are some useful phrases you’ll hear or want to use when discussing ejercicio and fitness.
Talking About Habits
- “¿Qué ejercicio sueles hacer?” (What exercise do you usually do?)
- “Intento hacer actividad física todos los días.” (I try to do physical activity every day.)
- “Mi rutina de ejercicios es bastante exigente.” (My exercise routine is quite demanding.)
Expressing Goals
- “Mi objetivo es ponerme en forma este año.” (My goal is to get in shape this year.)
- “Quiero mejorar mi salud física.” (I want to improve my physical health.)
- “Necesito empezar a hacer ejercicio con más frecuencia.” (I need to start doing exercise more frequently.)
Describing Intensity
- Ligero/a: Light. “Un ejercicio ligero.” (A light exercise.)
- Moderado/a: Moderate. “Un entrenamiento moderado.” (A moderate training session.)
- Intenso/a: Intense. “Una actividad física intensa.” (An intense physical activity.)
- Exigente: Demanding. “Esta rutina es muy exigente.” (This routine is very demanding.)
Putting it All Together: Sample Conversations
Let’s see how these words and phrases can be used in practice.
Conversation 1: Casual Chat
Persona A: Hola, ¿cómo estás? ¿Sigues yendo al gimnasio?
(Hello, how are you? Are you still going to the gym?)
Persona B: ¡Hola! Sí, voy tres veces por semana. Estoy tratando de hacer ejercicio más consistentemente.
(Hello! Yes, I go three times a week. I’m trying to do exercise more consistently.)
Persona A: ¡Qué bien! Yo estoy intentando incorporar más actividad física en mi día. A veces salgo a caminar en la tarde.
(That’s great! I’m trying to incorporate more physical activity into my day. Sometimes I go for a walk in the afternoon.)
Persona B: ¡Excelente idea! Cualquier movimiento es bueno. Yo alterno entre correr y entrenamiento de fuerza.
(Excellent idea! Any movement is good. I alternate between running and strength training.)
Conversation 2: Discussing a Plan
Persona A: Estoy pensando en ponerme en forma seriamente. ¿Tienes alguna recomendación?
(I’m thinking about getting in shape seriously. Do you have any recommendations?)
Persona B: Claro. Lo primero es establecer una rutina realista. Empieza con ejercicios que disfrutes. Quizás yoga o nadar.
(Of course. The first thing is to establish a realistic routine. Start with exercises you enjoy. Maybe yoga or swimming.)
Persona A: Me gusta la idea del yoga. ¿Ayuda a la salud física en general?
(I like the idea of yoga. Does it help physical health in general?)
Persona B: Definitivamente. Mejora la flexibilidad, la fuerza y el equilibrio. Y si quieres algo más cardiovascular, puedes correr o nadar.
(Definitely. It improves flexibility, strength, and balance. And if you want something more cardiovascular, you can run or swim.)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the most common way to say “exercise” in Spanish?
A1: The most common way to say “exercise” in Spanish is ejercicio. To say “to exercise,” you would use the phrase hacer ejercicio.
Q2: Can I use “deporte” to mean any kind of exercise?
A2: No, deporte specifically refers to “sport” or athletic activities that are usually competitive or involve specific rules and equipment, like fútbol (soccer) or baloncesto (basketball). For general physical activity or workouts, ejercicio or actividad física are more appropriate.
Q3: What’s the difference between “ejercicio” and “entrenamiento”?
A3: Ejercicio is a general term for physical activity or a specific exercise movement. Entrenamiento refers to a more structured and often prolonged period of training aimed at improving fitness, skills, or performance. For example, “hacer ejercicio” is doing exercise, while “un entrenamiento de boxeo” is a boxing training session.
Q4: How do I say “to get in shape” in Spanish?
A4: The common phrase for “to get in shape” in Spanish is ponerse en forma.
Q5: Is there a word for “movement” in Spanish when talking about being active?
A5: Yes, the word for “movement” is movimiento. It’s used to talk about the general act of moving the body, which is fundamental for physical health. For instance, “necesitamos más movimiento en nuestro día” (we need more movement in our day).
By mastering these Spanish terms, you’ll be well-equipped to discuss and pursue your fitness goals in any Spanish-speaking environment. ¡A moverse! (Let’s move!)