- 1 [uncountable] physical or mental activity that you do to stay healthy or become stronger Swimming is good exercise. I don't get much exercise sitting in the office all day. The mind needs exercise as well as the body. vigorous/gentle exercise (British English) to take exercise Wordfinderfitdiet, exercise, fit, gym, health spa, nutrition, personal trainer, sport, stamina, workout CollocationsDiet and exerciseWeight put on/gain/lose weight/a few kilos/a few pounds watch/control/struggle with your weight be/become seriously overweight/underweight be/become clinically/morbidly obese achieve/facilitate/promote/stimulate weight loss slim down to 70 kilos/(British English) 11 stone/(especially North American English) 160 pounds combat/prevent/tackle/treat obesity develop/have/suffer from/struggle with/recover from anorexia/bulimia/an eating disorder be on/go on/follow a crash/strict diet have/suffer from a negative/poor body image have/develop a positive/healthy body imageHealthy eating eat a balanced diet/healthily/sensibly get/provide/receive adequate/proper nutrition contain/get/provide essential nutrients/vitamins/minerals be high/low in calories/fat/fibre/(especially US English) fiber/protein/vitamin D/Omega-3 fatty acids contain (no)/use/be full of/be free from additives/chemical preservatives/artificial sweeteners avoid/cut down on/cut out alcohol/caffeine/fatty foods stop/give up/ (especially North American English) quit smokingExercise (British English) take regular exercise do moderate/strenuous/vigorous exercise play football/hockey/tennis go cycling/jogging/running go to/visit/ (especially North American English) hit/work out at the gym strengthen/tone/train your stomach muscles contract/relax/stretch/use/work your lower-body muscles build (up)/gain muscle improve/increase your stamina/energy levels/physical fitness burn/consume/expend caloriesStaying healthy be/get/keep/stay healthy/in shape/(especially British English) fit lower your cholesterol/blood pressure boost/stimulate/strengthen your immune system prevent/reduce the risk of heart disease/high blood pressure/diabetes/osteoporosis reduce/relieve/manage/combat stress enhance/promote relaxation/physical and mental well-being Culturesport and fitnessThe British like sport very much, but many people prefer to watch rather than take part. Many go to watch football, rugby, cricket, etc. at the ground, but many more sit at home and watch sport on television.Most people today take relatively little general exercise. Over the last 30 or 40 years lifestyles have changed considerably and many people now travel even the shortest distances by car or bus. Lack of exercise combined with eating too many fatty and sugary foods has meant that many people are becoming too fat. Experts are particularly concerned that children spend a lot of their free time watching television or playing computer games instead of being physically active. In recent years, however, there has been a growing interest in fitness among young adults and many belong to a sports club or gym.In Britain most towns have an amateur football and cricket team, and people also have opportunities to play sports such as tennis and golf. Older people may play bowls. Some people go regularly to a sports centre or leisure centre where there are facilities for playing badminton and squash, and also a swimming pool. Some sports centres arrange classes in activities such as aerobics (= energetic exercises to music to increase the amount of oxygen in the blood), step (= stepping on and off a low step rhythmically to music) and keep-fit (= more gentle stretching exercises). Some people work out (= train hard) regularly at a local gym and do weight training (= lifting weights to strengthen their muscles) and circuit training (= a series of energetic exercises). A few people do judo or other martial arts (= fighting sports). Others go running or jogging (= running at a leisurely pace) in their local area. For enthusiastic runners there are opportunities to take part in long-distance runs, such as the London marathon. Other people keep themselves fit by walking or cycling. Many people go abroad on a skiing holiday each year and there are several dry slopes and snowdomes in Britain where they can practise.Membership of a sports club or gym can be expensive and not everyone can afford the subscription. Local sports centres are generally cheaper. Evening classes are also cheap and offer a wide variety of fitness activities ranging from yoga to jazz dancing. Some companies now provide sports facilities for their employees or contribute to the cost of joining a gym.Sports play an important part in American life. Professional baseball and football games attract large crowds, and many people watch games on television. Although many parents complain about their children being couch potatoes (= people who spend a lot of time watching television), there are sports sessions at school for all ages. College students are usually also required to take physical education classes to complete their studies.Many popular keep-fit activities began in the US. Charles Atlas, Arnold Schwarzenegger and others inspired people to take up bodybuilding (= strengthening and shaping the muscles). Many women joined the ‘fitness craze’ as a result of video workouts produced by stars such as Jane Fonda and Cindy Crawford which they could watch and take part in at home. New fitness books are continually being published and these create fashions for new types of exercise, such as Zumba, wave aerobics, which is done in a swimming pool, or cardio kick-boxing, a form of aerobics which involves punching and kicking a punchbag. Many richer people employ their own personal trainer, either at home or at a fitness centre, to direct their exercise programme. Local YMCAs offer programmes which include aerobics, gym, running, weights, treadmills and rowing machines, as well as steam rooms and swimming. But many people just walk or jog in the local park or play informal games of baseball or football. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivegood, healthy, hard, … verb + exercisedo, get, take, … exercise + nounprogramme/program, regime, regimen, … prepositionduring exercise phrasesa form of exercise, a kind of exercise, a type of exercise, … See full entry See related entries: Good health, Exercise
- 2 [countable] a set of movements or activities that you do to stay healthy or develop a skill breathing/relaxation/stretching exercises exercises for the piano Repeat the exercise ten times on each leg. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivegreat, basic, simple, … … of exercisesseries, set verb + exercisedo, execute, perform, … See full entry questions
- 3 [countable] a set of questions in a book that tests your knowledge or practises a skill grammar exercises Do exercise one for homework. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectiveeasy, simple, difficult, … … of exercisesseries, set verb + exercisedo, try, complete, … prepositionexercise in See full entry use of power/right/quality
- 4[uncountable] exercise of something the use of power, a skill, a quality or a right to make something happen the exercise of power by the government the exercise of discretion Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectiveeffective, free, legitimate, … verb + exerciselimit, regulate, justify, … phrasesthe exercise of authority, the exercise of power, the exercise of discretion, … See full entry for particular result
- 5[countable] an activity that is designed to achieve a particular result a communications exercise In the end it proved a pointless exercise. exercise in something an exercise in public relations Staying calm was an exercise in self-control. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivesimple, straightforward, major, … verb + exercisecarry out, conduct, perform, … prepositionexercise in phrasesthe aim of the exercise, the object of the exercise See full entry for soldiers
- 6[countable, usually plural] a set of activities for training soldiers military exercises Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivemajor, field, field-training, … verb + exerciseconduct, do, execute, … prepositionon exercise See full entry ceremonies
- 7exercises [plural] (North American English) ceremonies college graduation exercises Word OriginMiddle English (in the sense ‘application of a right’): via Old French from Latin exercitium, from exercere ‘keep busy, practise’, from ex- ‘thoroughly’ + arcere ‘keep in or away’.Extra examples Ask your students to try this exercise before the next class. Before embarking on any exercise, you should conduct a cost-benefit analysis. Combine yoga with stretching and floor exercises. Do you take enough exercise? Half the regiment was away on exercise. He began his daily exercises. I did try some basic relaxation exercises. John never does any exercise. Lack of exercise is a risk factor in heart disease. Mental exercises can help older people to sustain their mental abilities. Practise/Practice the following exercise at least twice a day. Remember to do your breathing exercises every day. Role-playing situations allows a finer assessment to be made than in pen and paper exercises. She recommends the following exercises to increase circulation. Stop frequently to rest during exercise until you are fitter. The Government instituted a massive exercise in social control. The company has just carried out a major cost-cutting exercise. The doctor recommended regular exercise. The object of the exercise is to increase public awareness of environmental issues. The seminar was a valuable exercise in information exchange. The troops go on exercises twice a year. The whole consultation process was just a cynical political exercise. They recently completed a four-week exercise in Poland. This is a great exercise for the upper back. This is not a purely academic exercise: it should have a real impact on the way we work as a department. Try to do fifteen minutes of gentle exercise every day. US forces took part in joint exercises with the British Navy. We have conducted training exercises in seven separate states. We run team-building exercises with employees at each office. We were out on a field exercise. Weight-bearing exercise increases the health of bones. You can devise your own exercises to music. You may find it helpful to perform this exercise in front of the mirror. You will complete these exercises for homework. an exercise in translation an improper exercise of a discretionary power the effective exercise of power by the government the free exercise of informed choice to limit the exercise of political power As a public relations exercise the festival was clearly a success. Do one exercise for homework. I don’t get much exercise sitting in the office all day. One of these powers is the exercise of discretion by police officers. Remember to take regular exercise. Sovereignty means more than just the exercise of power. breathing/relaxation/stretching exercises vigorous/gentle exercise
activity/movements
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