workout
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /wˈɜːkaʊt/
US
- /ˈwɜrˌkaʊt/
Description
- exercise
- physical activity
- training session
A "workout" is not just about lifting weights at the gym. It is any period of exercise or physical training that you do to stay healthy, get stronger, lose weight, or improve fitness. A runner may call a long run a workout, and someone else may use the word for a session of yoga, swimming, cycling, or bodyweight training. It can also mean the exercise plan itself, as in "What does your leg workout look like today?" In everyday English, the word usually suggests exercise that is done on purpose, not just random movement.
A workout is a session of exercise or physical training. People usually use the word for activity they do on purpose to improve fitness, build strength, increase endurance, lose weight, or stay healthy. It often suggests more effort than casual movement, but it does not always have to be hard or extreme.
The word can describe many kinds of exercise, including lifting weights, running, swimming, yoga, cycling, dancing, or a home fitness session. Someone might say they did a quick workout before breakfast, followed a workout video online, or planned a full-body workout for the evening. In this sense, the word can mean both the exercise session and the set of exercises included in it.
It is also common in phrases like "morning workout," "gym workout," "cardio workout," or "strength workout." In these cases, the word helps show the type or purpose of the exercise. People may also talk about workouts when training for a sport or event, such as marathon workouts or football workouts.
In modern everyday English, "workout" almost always refers to physical exercise. It is a common, natural word in conversations about health, sports, fitness plans, and daily habits.
Examples
- 1
Exercise habit
I usually do a short workout before breakfast.
- 2
Trainer session
She has a workout with her trainer every Tuesday evening.
- 3
Home fitness
This app offers home workouts for people who don't have much time.
- 4
Physical recovery
After a tough workout, my legs feel sore the next day.
- 5
Routine planning
I'm trying to build a workout routine that I can stick to.
- 6
Gym clothing
He packed his workout clothes in case he had time for the gym after work.
- 7
Team training
Preseason training gave the whole team a serious workout.
Pattern
give someone a workout
make them work hard
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- workoutnoun
Forms
- workoutspluralnoun