English for Sports and Fitness Conversations

Jack

Welcome, everyone, to another exciting episode of English Podcast University! I’m Jack, your host, and today we’re diving into the world of sports and fitness. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just starting your fitness journey, this episode is packed with essential phrases and vocabulary to help you chat confidently. Grab your headphones, and let’s get started!

Sofia

Hi, Jack! I’m Sofia, your co-host. I’m so excited about this topic. Sports and fitness are such a big part of our lives, and learning how to talk about them in English can really open up new conversations. So, where should we begin?

Jack

Great question, Sofia! Let’s start with how to start a conversation about sports. Imagine you’re at a coffee shop, and someone asks, ‘Do you like sports?’ How would you reply? Give it a shot!

Sofia

Hmm, I’d say, ‘Yes, I do! I’m a big fan of basketball. How about you?’ Notice how I answered the question and then asked one in return. That keeps the conversation going. You can also say something like, ‘I enjoy watching soccer, but I’m not very good at playing it.’

Jack

Exactly! And let’s not forget some common phrases. For example, ‘What’s your favorite sport?’ ‘I love tennis. It’s so exciting to play and watch!’ ‘Do you play any sports?’ ‘Yes, I play volleyball on the weekends with friends.’ These are great for breaking the ice and getting to know someone’s interests.

Sofia

Those are perfect examples, Jack. Now, what about talking about fitness at the gym? I think that’s a bit more specific. How do you start a conversation there?

Jack

Great point, Sofia. At the gym, you could say something like, ‘Hi! How do you like this gym? I’m new here.’ After that, you could follow up with, ‘What’s your favorite workout?’ or ‘How many sets are you doing?’ And if someone asks you about your fitness routine, you can say, ‘I usually do cardio and some weight training. What about you?’

Sofia

Those are fantastic tips! And don’t forget to be polite. Saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ goes a long way in making a good impression. For example, ‘Do you mind if I use this equipment next?’ or ‘What’s your favorite exercise for staying in shape?’

Jack

Absolutely! Now, let’s talk about watching and discussing sports. Imagine you’re at a friend’s house watching a soccer match. How could you join the conversation, Sofia?

Sofia

I’d say, ‘Wow, that was an amazing goal! Who’s your favorite player?’ You can also ask questions like, ‘Which team do you support?’ or ‘Do you think they’ll win this season?’ And if you’re not very familiar with the sport, just say, ‘I’m not very familiar with this game, but it’s fun to watch!’

Jack

Perfect! Now, let’s dive into some useful vocabulary for sports and fitness. Sofia, can you start with words related to sports?

Sofia

Sure! Here are a few: ‘Team’—a group of players working together. Example: ‘My favorite team is Manchester United.’ ‘Match/Game’—a competition between teams or players. Example: ‘The basketball match starts at 7 PM.’ ‘Score’—the points earned in a game. Example: ‘What’s the score right now?’ ‘Goal’—a point scored in soccer or hockey. Example: ‘That was an incredible goal!’

Jack

Great! Now, let’s add some fitness terms: ‘Workout’—exercise sessions. Example: ‘I had a great workout today.’ ‘Reps (Repetitions)’—the number of times you do an exercise. Example: ‘I did 15 reps of push-ups.’ ‘Cardio’—exercises that increase your heart rate. Example: ‘Running is my favorite cardio workout.’ ‘Weights’—equipment for strength training. Example: ‘I lift weights twice a week.’

Sofia

Those are must-know terms, Jack! Now, let’s do a roleplay. I’ll be a gym-goer, and you’ll ask me questions. Ready?

Jack

Absolutely! Here we go. Hi there! Do you come to this gym often?

Sofia

Yeah, I’ve been coming here for about six months now. What about you?

Jack

I just joined last week. Do you have any tips for a beginner?

Sofia

Sure! Start with light weights and focus on your form. And don’t skip warm-ups—they’re super important! By the way, what’s your favorite workout?

Jack

I love doing squats. They’re great for building strength. Nice! I might try those next time. Thanks for the tips!

Sofia

You’re welcome! And if you ever need a workout buddy, let me know!

Jack

Thanks, Sofia! That’s a wrap for today’s episode on English for Sports and Fitness Conversations! We hope you found this episode helpful and that you feel more confident about talking in English at the gym, on the field, or while watching your favorite sport. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to hit the subscribe button and share this podcast with your friends. Don’t forget to leave us a comment about your favorite sport or fitness activity. We’d love to hear from you!

Sofia

And stay tuned for our next episode, where we’ll be exploring even more exciting topics in English. Until then, keep practicing and keep moving! Thanks for joining us today!

Jack and Sofia

See you next time on English Podcast University!