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1. Image
Look at the gym scene and think about what people are doing. What fitness words do you already know?
Teacher note: Look at the gym scene and think about what people are doing. What fitness words do you already know?
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2. Vocabulary
- work outto exercise, especially at the gym or at home
- warm upto do light movement before exercise so your body is ready
- cool downto do gentle exercise after training so your body can recover
- weightsequipment such as dumbbells or barbells used to build strength
- cardioexercise that makes your heart beat faster, such as running or cycling
- membershippayment or permission to use a gym regularly
- personal trainera fitness professional who gives advice, support, and exercise plans
- routinea regular pattern of exercise or activities you do again and again
- staminathe ability to keep going for a long time without getting tired quickly
- stretchto move your muscles gently to stay flexible
- machinea piece of gym equipment designed for a specific exercise
- seta group of repeated exercises done one after another
- repone repetition of an exercise
- injuryphysical harm or damage caused by an accident, exercise, or sport
Teacher note: A focused B2 vocabulary set for gym and fitness routines, organized with clear English definitions and pronunciation support.
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3. Grammar
Present Perfect for Life Experience and Recent Results
We use the present perfect to talk about:
- life experience — things that have happened at some time in your life, but the exact time is not important
- recent results — actions in the past that are important now
- unfinished time periods — actions that started in the past and continue now
Form
have / has + past participle
- I/you/we/they have worked out.
- he/she/it has joined a gym.
Negative
- I haven't made a goal yet.
- She hasn't felt motivated recently.
Questions
- Have you joined a gym before?
- Has he made progress this month?
When to use it
1) Life experience
Use the present perfect when you want to say that something has happened in your life, but you do not say exactly when.
- I have tried strength training.
- She has never used a rowing machine.
- We have joined different gyms over the years.
2) Recent result
Use it when a past action has a result that is true now.
- He has worked out this morning, so he feels energetic now.
- They have changed their routine, and they are more consistent.
- I have cooled down, so my sore muscles feel better.
3) Ongoing change or progress
Use it to show change over a period that is still relevant.
- I have made progress this month.
- She has felt more motivated since she set a goal.
- We have been more careful with our warm up lately.
Common time expressions
- ever / never
- already / yet
- just
- recently
- this week / this month / this year
- so far
Examples
- I have joined a gym near my office.
- She has already started a new routine.
- We have never tried a spin class before.
- He has just finished a cardio session.
- They have made good progress so far.
- I haven't decided on a membership yet.
- Have you worked out today?
- Has your strength training improved recently?
Common mistakes
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Wrong: I have joined a gym last year.
- Correct: I joined a gym last year.
- We use the past simple with a finished time expression like last year.
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Wrong: She has start a new routine.
- Correct: She has started a new routine.
- The present perfect needs the past participle.
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Wrong: Have you ever tried a cardio class yesterday?
- Correct: Have you ever tried a cardio class?
- Do not use ever with a finished past time like yesterday.
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Wrong: He has been to the gym this morning. / He went to the gym this morning.
- Both can be correct, but the meaning changes depending on whether the time period is still open. If it is still morning, the present perfect can work; if morning is over, use the past simple.
Quick tip
If the time is finished and specific, use past simple. If the time is unspecified, recent, or still continuing, use present perfect.
Teacher note: Grammar explanation of the present perfect for fitness experience and recent results, with clear form notes, examples, and common mistakes.
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4. Listening
Listen to the conversation and answer the questions.
- Why is Lena thinking about joining a gym?
- What change has Omar made to his weekly routine?
- Which two types of exercise does Omar mention?
- What habit does Omar say helps him stay on track?
- What result has he noticed since he started going regularly?
- What is Lena worried about after work?
Teacher audio script
Lena: I have been thinking about joining a gym for a while because I want to get more active. Omar: That makes sense. I joined one two months ago, and it has changed my week quite a lot. Lena: What did you change in your routine? Omar: I now go before work on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. It means I have to plan my evenings better, but it works. Lena: What do you usually do there? Omar: I start with a warm up, then I do some cardio and a short strength training session. After that, I cool down and stretch. Lena: That sounds manageable. I always feel too tired after work, so I skip exercise. Omar: I used to do that too. What helped me was setting a clear goal and booking sessions in advance. Lena: Have you made much progress? Omar: Yes, I have more energy, and I have already built a lot more stamina. Lena: That is encouraging. I think I need a simple plan rather than trying to do everything at once. Omar: Exactly. A realistic routine is easier to keep.
Teacher note: Listening dialogue about an adult considering a gym membership and hearing how a friend changed their routine. Includes present perfect forms and a short post-listening comprehension task.
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5. Grammar practice
Choose the best option for each sentence.
1.
Choose the best option.
2.
Choose the correct option.
3.
Choose the best sentence.
4.
Choose the correct option.
5.
Choose the best option.
6.
Choose the correct option.
Teacher note: Grammar practice on present perfect in a gym and fitness context, with mixed focus on form, time expressions, and meaning.
Answer key (teachers only)
Students do not see this. Add or update questions and answers below the activity.
- Q1B. I joined a gym last spring.
- Q2A. She has already finished her workout today.
- Q3A. They have been more active since January.
- Q4A. He has never used the rowing machine before.
- Q5A. We have worked out three times this week.
- Q6A. My shoulders are sore because I have done strength training.
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6. Speaking
Class speaking activity — read, then practise aloud with your teacher or partner
Pair Discussion: Gym Habits and Progress
Work with a partner. Take turns asking and answering the questions below. Try to give full answers and use present perfect when you talk about your experience, recent changes, or results.
Useful phrases
- I have tried...
- I have noticed...
- I have been more...
- What has helped me is...
- I still find it hard to...
- I feel more motivated when...
Discussion prompts
- How often do you work out in a normal week, and what does your routine usually look like?
- What have you tried recently to make exercise easier or more enjoyable?
- Since you started exercising more regularly, what has changed for you physically or mentally?
- Which type of exercise do you prefer most at the moment: cardio, strength training, or something else? Why?
- What usually helps you feel motivated on days when you do not want to go to the gym?
- Have you ever joined a gym, taken a class, or used a personal trainer? What was that experience like?
- What is the biggest barrier to regular exercise in adult life: time, energy, cost, confidence, or something else?
- If you set a goal for the next month, what would it be, and how would you measure progress?
Pair task
- Student A asks the first four questions.
- Student B asks the last four questions.
- Then switch roles and give one short summary of your partner’s answers to the class.
Challenge
Try to include at least:
- 2 present perfect sentences
- 3 lesson vocabulary items
- 1 example of a personal goal
Teacher note: Pair discussion activity focused on gym habits, motivation, barriers, and progress using present perfect and lesson vocabulary.
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7. Multiple choice
Read the article and listen to the dialogue, then choose the best answer for each question.
1.
According to the article, why do many adults find it hard to keep going with exercise plans?
2.
What is one reason the article gives for starting with a simple gym routine?
3.
In the dialogue, why is Maya considering a gym membership?
4.
What concern does Maya mention before making a decision?
5.
What change has the other speaker made recently?
6.
What can you infer about the speaker's attitude to progress?
Teacher note: Six B2-level comprehension questions about gym habits, motivations, and a short dialogue, with a focus on main ideas, details, and simple inference.
Answer key (teachers only)
Students do not see this. Add or update questions and answers below the activity.
- Q1B. Their schedules and energy levels change from day to day.
- Q2A. It helps people avoid feeling overwhelmed.
- Q3B. She wants a more structured way to stay active.
- Q4B. She is unsure whether she can keep the habit going regularly.
- Q5C. He has started mixing exercise with a more planned weekly patte…
- Q6B. He values small improvements and consistency.
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8. Writing task
Write a B2 paragraph about your gym or fitness experience. Include what you have done, what has changed, and what you want to improve. Use at least three present perfect sentences and five gym vocabulary items.
Aim for at least 80 words.
Teacher note: Writing task for a B2 adult learner to produce a personal paragraph about gym experience, changes, and future goals using present perfect and gym vocabulary.
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9. Fill in the blanks
Complete the text with the correct words.
After months of thinking about it, Ifinallya gym near my office. I wanted a realistic way to build a better, so I started with two short sessions a week. On Monday, I did a light, some, and a few minutes of. By the end of the first week, Ialreadythat I sleep better and feel less stressed. My legs were a little? Actually, my legs were a littleafter the second session, but that was normal. Ialsoto go before work on weekdays. So far, Imanaged toby tracking my sessions and planning ahead. I am not expecting quick results, but I can see that I am starting to.
After months of thinking about it, Ifinallya gym near my office. I wanted a realistic way to build a better, so I started with two short sessions a week. On Monday, I did a light, some, and a few minutes of. By the end of the first week, Ialreadythat I sleep better and feel less stressed. My legs were a little? Actually, my legs were a littleafter the second session, but that was normal. Ialsoto go before work on weekdays. So far, Imanaged toby tracking my sessions and planning ahead. I am not expecting quick results, but I can see that I am starting to.
Teacher note: A short fill-in-the-blanks text about starting a gym routine, with ten gaps covering gym vocabulary and present perfect forms.
Answer key (teachers only)
Students do not see this. Add or update questions and answers below the activity.
- Blank 1have
- Blank 2joined
- Blank 3routine
- Blank 4warm-up
- Blank 5cardio
- Blank 6strength training
- Blank 7have
- Blank 8noticed
- Blank 9sore muscles
- Blank 10sore
- Blank 11have
- Blank 12set a goal
- Blank 13have
- Blank 14stay motivated
- Blank 15make progress
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10. Short answer
Answer each question in 1–3 sentences. Try to use present perfect and at least one gym-related word.
1.
What have you changed in your gym routine recently?
2.
How has your motivation for exercise changed over the past few months?
3.
What has helped you keep going when you felt tired or busy?
4.
What fitness result have you noticed so far, and what do you want to improve next?
Teacher note: Short-answer practice on gym habits, motivation, and results using present perfect and fitness vocabulary.
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11. Image
Review a simple gym routine from start to finish. Can you name each stage in order?
Teacher note: Review a simple gym routine from start to finish. Can you name each stage in order?
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12. Voice message
Record a 45–60 second voice message about your fitness routine. Say what you have done recently, what has changed, and what your next goal is. Use present perfect forms and gym vocabulary where possible.
Tap to record
Up to 60 seconds
Teacher note: Voice recording task for B2 adults focused on recent fitness progress, current challenges, and a future goal using present perfect forms.
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