Part 1: Health Collocations
Collocations are words that naturally go together. Native speakers use these combinations automatically!
Adjectives + Health/Fitness
| Collocation | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| good health | "She's in good health for her age." | Healthy condition |
| poor health | "He's been in poor health lately." | Unhealthy condition |
| regular exercise | "Regular exercise is essential for fitness." | Exercise done consistently |
| balanced diet | "A balanced diet includes all food groups." | Healthy variety of foods |
| strenuous exercise | "Strenuous exercise can be dangerous without training." | Very demanding physical activity |
| chronic illness | "She suffers from a chronic illness." | Long-term health condition |
Verbs + Health/Fitness
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| stay fit | "I go to the gym to stay fit." |
| get in shape | "I need to get in shape before summer." |
| catch a cold | "I caught a cold last week." |
| take medicine | "You should take medicine for that headache." |
| build muscle | "He's trying to build muscle at the gym." |
Practice: Collocations
Exercise 1: Complete the collocations
1. I go running every day to stay . (fit/healthy)
2. A diet is important for good health. (balanced/good)
3. I caught a and had to stay home. (cold/flu)
4. exercise keeps you healthy. (regular/daily)
5. I need to get in before the marathon. (shape/form)
Part 2: Health & Fitness Idioms
Idioms are expressions with meanings different from the literal words. They make your English sound natural!
Common Health & Fitness Idioms:
- Under the weather - Feeling ill
"I'm feeling a bit under the weather today." - Fit as a fiddle - In excellent health
"My grandmother is 90 and fit as a fiddle!" - On the mend - Recovering from illness
"He's on the mend after his operation." - A clean bill of health - Medical confirmation of good health
"The doctor gave me a clean bill of health." - Back on your feet - Recovered from illness
"I'll be back on my feet in no time." - Feel run down - Feel tired and unhealthy
"I've been feeling run down lately." - In the pink - In very good health
"She's in the pink after her holiday." - Work out the kinks - Solve problems or relieve muscle tension
"I need to work out the kinks in my back."
Practice: Idioms
Exercise 2: Match the idiom to its meaning
1. "I'm feeling under the today." (weather/rain)
2. "My grandad is fit as a !" (fiddle/drum)
3. "She's on the after her surgery." (mend/fix)
4. "I'll be back on my soon." (feet/legs)
5. "The doctor gave me a clean bill of ." (health/fitness)
Part 3: Health & Fitness Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs are verbs combined with prepositions or adverbs that create new meanings!
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| work out | Exercise at the gym | "I work out three times a week." |
| warm up | Prepare body for exercise | "Always warm up before running." |
| cool down | Relax after exercise | "Don't forget to cool down after your workout." |
| come down with | Become ill with | "I think I'm coming down with the flu." |
| fight off | Resist illness | "I'm trying to fight off this cold." |
| shake off | Get rid of illness | "I can't shake off this cough." |
| pass out | Lose consciousness | "He passed out from exhaustion." |
| bulk up | Gain muscle mass | "He's trying to bulk up for the competition." |
Usage Tips:
Work out is very common - use it instead of "do exercise"
Come down with is used when you're starting to feel ill
Warm up and cool down are essential gym vocabulary
Practice: Phrasal Verbs
Exercise 3: Complete with the correct phrasal verb
1. I out at the gym every morning. (work/train)
2. Always up before exercising. (warm/heat)
3. I think I'm coming with a cold. (down/up)
4. I can't off this headache. (shake/get)
5. He's trying to up for the bodybuilding contest. (bulk/build)
Well done! You've mastered health & fitness vocabulary - now stay fit and keep practicing!