Free IELTS Lesson about KEEPING FIT

Question 1

IELTS Speaking Vocabulary: Keeping Fit

Answer 1

Get fit
Get into shape

keep fit / stay fit
be in good shape
To work out (v.) = to do exercise
To do a workout (n.)
To take up a sport = to start doing a new sport
Join a/the gym = to become a member of a gym
be fit
stay in shape

Do aerobic exercise - e.g. running, swimming, fast walking, football…, circuit training
Do a cardio workout = do aerobic exercise
Do strength training = to lift weights / to do some weightlifting (this is anaerobic)
Benefits of aerobic exercise

• Boost your fitness

• Burn calories

• burn (belly) fat

Benefits of strength training
• Tone your muscles
Do some exercise
Do some sport

I like to do some exercise in the morning
I like to do a bit of exercise in the morning
Gain weight = to put on weight = to get fatter
Lose weight = to shred some pounds / kilos
I need to get rid of my spare tyre

Eat a balanced diet
Cut down on junk food/fast food = to reduce it (eat less of it)

Question 2

How do you keep fit?

Answer 2

?

Here are some useful phrases to answer this question

I hit the gym
I practice yoga
I do some brisk walking
I do a mix of aerobic exercise and some strength training
I try to keep fit by jogging every morning
I take a regular walk and I also do pilates, I love to be active.

I’ve got into the habit of going down the gym twice a week to work out.
I do regular exercise and take care with my diet, avoiding too many packaged and processed foods
I’ve become very health-conscious so I like to do a regular workout and also take care with the food I eat. I drink plenty of water.

Question 3

Listen

Answer 3

I’ve never been fanatical about (=crazy about) doing sports, but I do like to stay in shape.

Obviously at school I did a few team sports, you know, football and cricket mainly.

For most of my life, I’ve done some kind of aerobic activity. When I was younger I went jogging and hiking a lot, and I loved it.

Then when I started working full time, I got into (=start an activity you like) swimming and I would swim two or three times a week. I found it to be great way to relax and you know, to get rid of a lot of work-related stress.

Interestingly, at several points in my life, I have joined a gym to try and keep fit, but I was never completely at ease (=be comfortable) in a gym.

I used to do both aerobic exercise on the treadmill, and lift some weights, as well as the usual push ups, pull ups and sit ups!

The thing is, it’s hard not to compare yourself to others, and it’s all about physique (=physical appearance).

Well lately, I have got into walking again. Walking around parks at a brisk pace (=quite quickly). It’s a great activity, not too strenuous (=physically demanding/difficult) for someone like me who is getting on (=get older) a bit.

It’s also a fantastic way to combat the sedentary lifestyle that I’ve adopted since I started working online from home.

Finally, of course, I try to eat a healthy diet, and I have cut down quite a lot on fast food, and I eat lots more vegetables than I used to.

So this is how I have tried to keep fit.

Question 4

Idioms to talk about Keeping Fit

I’m totally out of shape

Answer 4

= not fit or healthy

Question 5

I need to get rid of my spare tyre =

Answer 5

to lose fat around my waist

Question 6

He has been going to the gym everyday lately, and now he is fighting fit

Answer 6

= very fit

Question 7

She works out a lot and is as fit as a fiddle

Answer 7

= very fit

Question 8

I was a bit off colour yesterday

Answer 8

= not feeling well

Question 9

but I feel right as rain today

Answer 9

= feeling very well

Question 10

You are the picture of health

Answer 10

= you look / feel great

Question 11

I feel under the weather

Answer 11

= I don’t feel well