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Chinese Gym & Fitness Phrases — Essential Expressions for Working Out in China
Master Chinese gym and fitness expressions for signing up, asking about equipment, describing exercises, talking with trainers, and navigating group classes — practical workout phrases for fitness enthusiasts in China.
2026-06-29 · 8 min read
Signing up and getting a gym membership
When you walk into a Chinese gym, the front desk will greet you with 欢迎光临 (huān yíng guāng lín) — welcome. To ask about membership: 我想办卡 (wǒ xiǎng bàn kǎ) — I'd like to get a membership card. Common membership types: 月卡 (yuè kǎ) — monthly card, 季卡 (jì kǎ) — quarterly card, 年卡 (nián kǎ) — annual card, and 次卡 (cì kǎ) — per-visit card. Ask 多少钱 (duō shǎo qián) — how much, and 有什么优惠 (yǒu shén me yōu huì) — any promotions or discounts.
Key sign-up questions: 可以试用吗 (kě yǐ shì yòng ma) — can I try it out first (trial session). 包括什么 (bāo kuò shén me) — what does it include (classes, locker, towel?). 有没有私教 (yǒu méi yǒu sī jiào) — do you have personal trainers. 营业时间 (yíng yè shí jiān) — opening hours. To ask about cancellation or freezing: 可以停卡吗 (kě yǐ tíng kǎ ma) — can I freeze the membership. Before signing, ask 合同能看一下吗 (hé tong néng kàn yī xià ma) — can I see the contract.
Navigating gym equipment and facilities
Chinese gym vocabulary for equipment: 跑步机 (pǎo bù jī) — treadmill, 椭圆机 (tuǒ yuán jī) — elliptical, 动感单车 (dòng gǎn dān chē) — spin bike, 哑铃 (yǎ líng) — dumbbell, 杠铃 (gàng líng) — barbell, 史密斯机 (shǐ mì sī jī) — Smith machine, 龙门架 (lóng mén jià) — cable crossover machine. For bodyweight and stretching areas: 瑜伽垫 (yú jiā diàn) — yoga mat, 泡沫轴 (pào mò zhóu) — foam roller.
To ask if equipment is free: 这个有人用吗 (zhè gè yǒu rén yòng ma) — is anyone using this. To ask how to use a machine: 这个怎么用 (zhè gè zěn me yòng) — how do you use this. To ask for a spot: 能帮我看一下吗 (néng bāng wǒ kàn yī xià ma) — can you spot me. Facility questions: 更衣室在哪 (gēng yī shì zài nǎ) — where is the locker room, 淋浴间 (lín yù jiān) — shower room, 饮水机 (yǐn shuǐ jī) — water dispenser.
Describing exercises and counting reps
Describe exercises in Chinese: 卧推 (wò tuī) — bench press, 深蹲 (shēn dūn) — squat, 硬拉 (yìng lā) — deadlift, 引体向上 (yǐn tǐ xiàng shàng) — pull-up, 俯卧撑 (fǔ wò chēng) — push-up, 卷腹 (juǎn fù) — crunch, 平板支撑 (píng bǎn zhī chēng) — plank. For cardio: 跑步 (pǎo bù) — running, 快走 (kuài zǒu) — brisk walking, 游泳 (yóu yǒng) — swimming.
Counting sets and reps: 组 (zǔ) means set, 个 (gè) or 次 (cì) means rep. Say 做三组 (zuò sān zǔ) — do three sets, 每组十个 (měi zǔ shí gè) — ten reps per set. To describe weight: 这个多重 (zhè gè duō zhòng) — how heavy is this. 公斤 (gōng jīn) — kilogram, 斤 (jīn) — half-kilo (Chinese unit). Body parts for training: 胸 (xiōng) — chest, 背 (bèi) — back, 腿 (tuǐ) — legs, 肩 (jiān) — shoulders, 手臂 (shǒu bì) — arms, 腹肌 (fù jī) — abs.
Talking with personal trainers
If you want a personal trainer, say 我想请个私教 (wǒ xiǎng qǐng gè sī jiào) — I'd like to hire a personal trainer. Tell them your goal: 我想减肥 (wǒ xiǎng jiǎn féi) — I want to lose weight, 我想增肌 (wǒ xiǎng zēng jī) — I want to build muscle, 我想塑形 (wǒ xiǎng sù xíng) — I want to tone up. Mention any issues: 我腰不好 (wǒ yāo bù hǎo) — my lower back is not good, 膝盖有点问题 (xī gài yǒu diǎn wèn tí) — my knees have some issues.
During training, trainers will say: 再做一个 (zài zuò yī gè) — one more rep, 动作慢一点 (dòng zuò màn yī diǎn) — slow down the movement, 收紧核心 (shōu jǐn hé xīn) — tighten your core, 别憋气 (bié biē qì) — don't hold your breath, 感觉哪里酸 (gǎn jué nǎ lǐ suān) — where do you feel the burn. To give feedback: 太重了 (tài zhòng le) — too heavy, 太轻了 (tài qīng le) — too light, 这个动作我做不了 (zhè gè dòng zuò wǒ zuò bù liǎo) — I can't do this movement.
Group classes and post-workout
Common group classes in Chinese gyms: 瑜伽课 (yú jiā kè) — yoga class, 普拉提 (pǔ lā tí) — Pilates, 动感单车课 (dòng gǎn dān chē kè) — spin class, 搏击操 (bó jī cāo) — kickboxing aerobics, 尊巴 (zūn bā) — Zumba, 杠铃操 (gàng líng cāo) — body pump. Ask about booking: 需要预约吗 (xū yào yù yuē ma) — do I need to reserve, 几点开始 (jǐ diǎn kāi shǐ) — what time does it start, 还有位置吗 (hái yǒu wèi zhì ma) — are there still spots.
Post-workout expressions: 好累 (hǎo lèi) — so tired, 出了一身汗 (chū le yī shēn hàn) — I'm drenched in sweat. For protein shakes and supplements: 蛋白粉 (dàn bái fěn) — protein powder, 摇摇杯 (yáo yáo bēi) — shaker bottle. To say you finished working out: 练完了 (liàn wán le) — done working out. Common encouragement: 加油 (jiā yóu) — you can do it / keep going, 坚持住 (jiān chí zhù) — hold on / keep at it, 不错 (bù cuò) — not bad / good job.
Related practice pages
FAQ
Common questions
Do Chinese gyms usually have English-speaking staff or trainers?
In large international cities like Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzhen, some premium gym chains (Will's, Physical, Supermonkey) may have trainers with basic English. However, in most gyms across China, staff and trainers primarily speak Chinese. Learning basic gym phrases will make your experience much smoother, especially for discussing form corrections, understanding class instructions, and handling membership matters.
How much does a gym membership typically cost in China?
Prices vary widely by city and gym tier. Budget chains like Leke (乐刻) charge around ¥99–299/month with no-frills access. Mid-range chains like Will's (威尔仕) or Physical (舒适堡) range from ¥2,000–5,000/year. Premium gyms in five-star hotels or boutique studios can cost ¥8,000–20,000/year. Supermonkey (超级猩猩) uses a pay-per-class model at roughly ¥69–159 per class. Always negotiate — multi-year packages and promotions during holidays can drop prices 20–40%.
What should I know about gym etiquette in China?
Chinese gym etiquette is generally similar to international norms. Key points: bring your own towel and water bottle (many gyms provide lockers but not towels); wipe down equipment after use (most gyms provide spray bottles and paper towels); avoid hogging equipment during peak hours (typically 6–8pm on weekdays); it's common for people to work in (轮流 — take turns) on popular equipment — just ask 可以轮流吗 (kě yǐ lún liú ma). In the locker room, casual nudity is more common than in Western gyms and not considered unusual.