work out — exercise
phrasal verbB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon
to do physical activity or exercise, especially to get fit or stay healthy.
Say it like a native
Textbook I engage in resistance training at the gymnasium.
Native I work out at the gym.
'Work out' is the everyday verb for exercising; 'engage in resistance training' is fitness-manual formal.
Pattern: work out (no object) | work out at [place]
In use
- I try to work out at the gym three times a week.health
- Personally, I believe working out regularly is important for both physical and mental health.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ I make workout three times a week.
✓ I work out three times a week. / I do a workout three times a week.
'Work out' is the verb; 'a workout' is the noun. Don't say 'make workout'.
Common collocations
work out + exercise— at the gym, every morning, hard, regularly
Don't confuse it
Not about solving problems—this sense is only about physical exercise.
Related
- work out (solve or understand) — Another meaning of 'work out' is 'solve or understand'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.