Translation guide
How to express the concept of 'working out' (exercising, especially at a gym) in Japanese.
To say you are working out, exercising, or training your body, especially at a gym or for fitness.
The most general and natural way to say 'to exercise' or 'to work out'. Covers any physical activity for health or fitness.
I work out every day.
I don't have time to work out.
Specifically means 'to train', often used for gym workouts, strength training, or athletic training. Slightly more focused than 運動する.
I'm working out at the gym.
Short for 筋力トレーニング (strength training). Very common casual term for weightlifting or bodyweight exercises to build muscle.
I recently started working out (strength training).
Loanword from English 'workout'. Used among fitness enthusiasts, but less common than native terms. Sounds trendy.
Today's workout was tough.
To talk about the act of going to a gym or doing a specific workout routine.
Literally 'go to the gym'. The most straightforward way to say you are going to work out at a gym.
I go to the gym three times a week.
Means 'to train/build one's body'. Emphasizes the result of working out, often used for bodybuilding or getting in shape.
I go to the gym to work out (build my body).
To express that working out is a regular part of your life.
Means 'I make exercise a habit'. Natural way to say you work out regularly.
I make a habit of working out for my health.
運動する is the broadest term for any exercise. トレーニングする implies structured training, often at a gym. 筋トレする specifically means strength/resistance training. Use 運動する for general conversation about working out.
I exercise for my health.
I train every morning.
I want to build muscle with strength training.
The English phrasal verb 'work out' has many meanings (exercise, solve, calculate, succeed). In Japanese, you must use different words for each meaning. For exercising, use 運動する or トレーニングする. Do not use 仕事 (work) or 外 (out) directly.
I worked out for an hour today.
She works out at the gym every morning.
Working out helps reduce stress.
筋力トレーニングが好きです。
I like strength training.