Ready to sweat en español? In this A2-friendly guide, you’ll learn everyday sports and fitness words and phrases so you can talk about your routine, invite friends to work out, and understand basic gym talk. We’ll keep explanations in English, but sprinkle in Spanish so you get comfortable with real phrases. ¡Vamos! (Let’s go!)

Vocabulario clave: essential verbs for fitness

These are the workhorse verbs you’ll use all the time:

• hacer ejercicio — to work out
• jugar (a) — to play (a sport/game)
• entrenar — to train
• practicar — to practice
• correr — to run
• nadar — to swim
• levantar pesas — to lift weights
• estirar — to stretch
• calentar — to warm up

Use them in simple present to describe your routine, and with ir a + infinitive for plans.

Yo al gimnasio los lunes.

Notice the stem change u → ue in most forms: juego, juegas, juega, juegan — but jugamos, jugáis stay regular.

En el gimnasio: places, people, and gear

Time to sound natural at el gimnasio (the gym):

Frases útiles: invite, accept, and talk about your routine

Here are everyday lines you’ll hear and use:

• ¿Quieres ir al gimnasio? — Do you want to go to the gym?
• ¿Quieres jugar al tenis mañana? — Do you want to play tennis tomorrow?
• Voy a correr en el parque. — I’m going to run in the park.
• Entreno por la tarde. — I train in the afternoon.
• Estoy en forma. — I’m in shape.
• Estoy cansado/a. — I’m tired.
• Tengo que estirar. — I have to stretch.

Small talk tip: add frequency phrases like “tres veces por semana” (three times a week) or “todos los días” (every day).

Salud y cuerpo: talking about aches and recovery

When you exercise, sometimes algo duele (something hurts). Spanish uses “doler” like “to hurt/ache” with an indirect object:

Me la espalda.

Correcciones comunes (common corrections)

Avoid these typical mix-ups:

Juego yoga. → Practico yoga. Use “practicar” for activities like yoga or karate; “jugar” is for sports/games with rules and teams. Soy en forma. → Estoy en forma. Use “estar” for states/conditions (in shape, tired). “Ser” is for permanent traits. Voy a el gimnasio. → Voy al gimnasio. “a + el” contracts to “al.” Same with “de + el” → “del.”

Mini cultural notes: deportes en el mundo hispanohablante

• Fútbol (soccer) is king: “Ver el partido” (watch the match) is a common plan with friends. Clubs like el Barcelona and el Real Madrid are household names.
• Pádel is booming in Spain and Latin America. If someone says “¿Jugamos al pádel?”, they mean on a small court with glass walls.
• Outdoor fitness is big: correr en el parque, hacer calistenia (calisthenics), and ciclismo (cycling) are popular, especially on weekends.
• Group classes: In many gyms, people say “voy a clase de spinning / yoga / zumba”. Schedule culture varies—some countries start later in the evening.

Practice wrap-up: put it together

Try speaking for 30 seconds about your routine. Use present and “ir a” for plans:

• Hoy hago ejercicio y estiro. Mañana voy a correr en el parque.
• Juego al tenis los jueves. El sábado voy al gimnasio con mi amigo.

Then invite someone: ¿Quieres ir al gimnasio? ¿Quieres practicar natación el domingo?

You did it. Keep these verbs, phrases, and patterns handy, and your Spanish fitness talk will feel natural fast. ¡Buen entrenamiento! (Have a good workout!)