Learn about exercise & fitness in the USA

US culture: exercise & fitness!

What do you do to keep fit?

Do you go running, swimming, walking…? Or do you work out in the gym?

In the US, exercise and fitness are important parts of many people’s lives.

In this short video lesson, you’ll listen to a water polo player talking about what he does to train and stay fit.

You’ll also learn some useful words for talking about the topic of health and fitness.

After watching the video, try our little quiz below to see how much you can remember. Happy learning!

Level: Pre-Intermediate to Upper Intermediate (A2-B2)

Video: YES!

Vocabulary

Here are some useful words that appear in the video.

Fit

If you’re “fit”, you are physically healthy and strong.

Fitness

A “fitness” program can help you become healthy and strong.

Water polo

“Water polo” is a game you play in a swimming pool. There are 7 players in each team who try to throw a ball into the opponents’ net.

An emphasis on

If there’s an “emphasis on” something, you focus on that thing because you think it’s very important.

Stamina

“Stamina” is the physical or mental energy you need to do an activity for a long time.

A practice (session)

A “practice session” is a period of time when you do an activity so you can become better at it.

To span

If a period of time “spans” six hours (for example), it lasts for six hours.

(Self) discipline

If you have a lot of “self-discipline”, you have the ability to work hard for long periods of time and regularly.

A competitive spirit

If you have a “competitive spirit”, you really want to win a game, match or competition.

To go for a run

If you “go for a run”, you run as a form of exercise.

To lift weights

If you “lift weights”, you hold weights (heavy objects) and move them up and down so you can become strong.

A meal

A “meal” is a dish of food you eat at a certain time: breakfast, lunch, dinner, etc.: “Like most people, I have 3 meals a day.”

Video quiz  

You’re going to watch a video with a water polo player talking about his training program. Watch it once. The, watch it again and complete the text with the missing words. [answers below]

Hello, my name’s Eric, and today I will be talking about (1) _______ in the United States of America. Here in the states I play water polo, and there is a strong emphasis on (2) _______, which causes us to have practices that could span 5 to 6 hours on the (3) _______. There’s a very large emphasis on discipline and (4) _______ and a very competitive spirit with high school (5) _______. When water polo is over, I have to find new ways to be (6) _______. This includes going for runs, lifting weights at the (7) _______, eating healthy, as well as planning out my (8) _______.

Speaking

Now talk about this topic with a friend or classmate. Make notes and try to use as much of the new language as you can.

Video script

Hello, my name’s Eric, and today I will be talking about fitness in the United States of America. Here in the states I play Water Polo, and there is a strong emphasis on stamina, which causes us to have practices that could span 5 to 6 hours on the weekends. There’s a very large emphasis on discipline and strength and a very competitive spirit with high school sports. When water polo is over, I have to find new ways to be fit. This includes going for runs, lifting weights at the gym, eating healthy, as well as planning out my meals.

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Answers

Video quiz

1. fitness; 2. stamina; 3. weekends; 4. strength; 5. sports; 6. fit; 7. gym; 8. meals