Latest / Learn German with Fexingo / German at the Gym – Workout Basics
Transcript
- Lucas: Hey Luna. Welcome back to another episode of Learn German with Fexingo. I am so glad you are here. We have been doing so much travel vocab lately, haven't we? Luna: Yeah, we have. From the airport to the hardware store. It feels like we are going everywhere. But today, I actually want to stay home. Or well, go to the gym. Lucas: Oh, that is a great pivot. The gym is such a common place to practice German. Especially if you are living there or just traveling for work. Do you go to the gym often, Luna? Luna: I try to! But sometimes I forget what to say when I walk in. Like, do I just point at a machine? That seems rude. Lucas: No, no. You definitely do not just point. You can be very polite and clear. Let's start with the most basic thing. When you walk in, you want to tell the staff or your friend what you are doing. Luna: Right. So, what is the phrase for 'I want to work out' or 'I want to train'? Lucas: Perfect question. The verb we use is trainieren. To say 'I want to train', you say: Ich möchte trainieren. Luna: Ich möchte trainieren. Lucas: Exactly. Ich möchte trainieren. It sounds professional and polite. Try it again for me. Luna: Ich möchte trainieren. Okay, I feel ready. Lucas: You look ready. Now, imagine you are inside. There are lots of machines. You might want to check your progress first. Where would you go? Luna: The scale? In English we call it a scale, but in German...? Lucas: In German, the scale is die Waage. And if you want to ask where it is, you say: Wo ist die Waage? Luna: Wo ist die Waage? Lucas: Spot on. Wo ist die Waage? Notice the word order stays simple. Where is the scale? It is very useful. Luna: Wo ist die Waage? Got it. So, I walk in, I say I want to train, and I find the scale. Then what? Lucas: Then you work out. Maybe you lift some weights. Maybe you run on the treadmill. Eventually, you will need a rest. Everyone does. Luna: Definitely. My legs get tired. How do I say 'I need a break'? Lucas: This is a crucial phrase. Break is die Pause. To say 'I need a break', you say: Ich brauche eine Pause. Luna: Ich brauche eine Pause. Lucas: Yes. Ich brauche eine Pause. It is direct but perfectly fine to say to a workout partner or even a trainer. Luna: Ich brauche eine Pause. Okay. So I sit down, drink some water, and catch my breath. Lucas: Good plan. But let's be honest, Luna. Sometimes after a good set of squats, you feel exhausted. How do you tell someone that the exercise makes you tired? Luna: That sounds complicated. Is it long? Lucas: It is short and powerful. Tired is müde. The verb to make something happen is machen. So, 'that makes me tired' is: Das macht mich müde. Luna: Das macht mich müde. Lucas: Perfect. Das macht mich müde. You can say this while panting heavily. It explains everything. Luna: Das macht mich müde. Wow. That covers all my needs at the gym. Lucas: Almost. There is one more phrase. When you finish, or when your friend finishes a tough set, you encourage them. What is the German for 'Well done' or 'Good job'? Luna: Is it gut gemacht? Lucas: Yes! Gut gemacht. It is two words. Good made. It is exactly what you think. Luna: Gut gemacht. I love that. Simple. Lucas: It is. So let's review our full set. Ich möchte trainieren. Wo ist die Waage? Ich brauche eine Pause. Das macht mich müde. And Gut gemacht. Luna: Ich möchte trainieren. Wo ist die Waage? Ich brauche eine Pause. Das macht mich müde. Gut gemacht. Lucas: Brilliant. You sound like a natural. Before we go deeper into these sentences, I want to mention something about Fexingo. If Fexingo has been helping you make actual progress with this language, please consider supporting us. Listener support is what keeps this show ad-free and allows us to keep making these small, digestible episodes for you every week. Luna: Yeah, it really helps. And if you want to help us out directly, you can find us at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo — that's F. E. X. I. N. G. O. Lucas: Thank you so much. It means the world to us. Okay, back to the gym scene. Imagine you are there now. You say you want to train. Luna: Ich möchte trainieren. Yes. I walk up to the receptionist. Lucas: Great. And then you notice you forgot your towel. Or maybe you just want to check your weight before you start. You turn around. Luna: I see someone holding a dumbbell. I ask: Wo ist die Waage? Lucas: They point to the corner. You go there. You step on. It is time to work. Ten minutes later, you are sweating. Luna: I stop. I put the weights down. I tell my friend: Ich brauche eine Pause. Lucas: They smile and hand you water. You take a sip. The next set was harder than you thought. Luna: I collapse onto the bench. I groan and say: Das macht mich müde. Lucas: Your friend laughs kindly. They clap their hands together. They say: Gut gemacht. Luna: Gut gemacht. Thank you. I am exhausted but happy. Lucas: That is the spirit. You used all five phrases in a natural little story. I am proud of you. Luna: Thanks, Lucas. It felt easy. Much easier than the hardware store last time. Lucas: I know, right? Less technical terms. Just body and action. Let's repeat the first one again, slowly. For memory. Luna: Ich möchte trainieren. Lucas: And the location question. Luna: Wo ist die Waage? Lucas: The need. Luna: Ich brauche eine Pause. Lucas: The feeling. Luna: Das macht mich müde. Lucas: The encouragement. Luna: Gut gemacht. Lucas: Wonderful. You are building a solid foundation. Remember, repetition is key. Say these phrases when you are walking, or stretching at home. Luna: I will. I think I might even go for a jog after recording this. To test them out. Lucas: Do it. And remember, if you ever need a pause, just say it. Even if you are alone. Luna: Ich brauche eine Pause. Exactly. Lucas: Great job today, Luna. And great job to you too, listener. Practice these until we chat again. See you next time. Luna: Tschüss!