Circuit training is a popular and effective workout method. This guide provides essential Korean vocabulary and phrases related to circuit training, helping you discuss this fitness routine, understand instructions at a Korean gym, or talk about your workout preferences.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 서킷 트레이닝
Pronunciation: seo-kit teu-re-i-ning
Meaning: Circuit Training (This is a direct transliteration of the English term and is commonly used in Korea.)
Basic Workout Vocabulary
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Expression: 운동
Pronunciation: un-dong
Meaning: Exercise, workout -
Expression: 헬스장
Pronunciation: hel-seu-jang
Meaning: Gym (literally ‘health place’) -
Expression: 트레이너
Pronunciation: teu-re-i-neo
Meaning: Trainer -
Expression: 근력 운동
Pronunciation: geun-ryeok un-dong
Meaning: Strength training -
Expression: 유산소 운동
Pronunciation: yu-san-so un-dong
Meaning: Cardio exercise -
Expression: 스트레칭
Pronunciation: seu-teu-re-ching
Meaning: Stretching -
Expression: 워밍업
Pronunciation: wo-ming-eop
Meaning: Warm-up -
Expression: 쿨다운
Pronunciation: kul-da-un
Meaning: Cool-down -
Expression: 운동 기구
Pronunciation: un-dong gi-gu
Meaning: Exercise equipment -
Expression: 땀
Pronunciation: ttam
Meaning: Sweat -
Expression: 건강
Pronunciation: geon-gang
Meaning: Health -
Expression: 체력
Pronunciation: che-ryeok
Meaning: Physical fitness, stamina
Circuit Training Specific Phrases
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Expression: 서킷 트레이닝을 하다
Pronunciation: seo-kit teu-re-i-ning-eul ha-da
Meaning: To do circuit training -
Expression: 세트
Pronunciation: se-teu
Meaning: Set (as in repetitions) -
Expression: 반복 횟수
Pronunciation: ban-bok hoet-su
Meaning: Number of repetitions (reps) -
Expression: 휴식 시간
Pronunciation: hyu-sik si-gan
Meaning: Rest time -
Expression: 운동 스테이션
Pronunciation: un-dong seu-te-i-syeon
Meaning: Exercise station -
Expression: 다음 운동으로 넘어가세요.
Pronunciation: da-eum un-dong-eu-ro neom-eo-ga-se-yo
Meaning: Please move on to the next exercise. -
Expression: 각 스테이션에서 1분 동안 운동하세요.
Pronunciation: gak seu-te-i-syeon-e-seo il-bun dong-an un-dong-ha-se-yo
Meaning: Exercise for 1 minute at each station. -
Expression: 세트 사이에는 30초 쉬세요.
Pronunciation: se-teu sa-i-e-neun sam-sip-cho swi-se-yo
Meaning: Rest for 30 seconds between sets. -
Expression: 총 3 서킷을 반복합니다.
Pronunciation: chong sam seo-kit-eul ban-bok-ham-ni-da
Meaning: Repeat a total of 3 circuits. -
Expression: 전신 운동
Pronunciation: jeon-sin un-dong
Meaning: Full body workout -
Expression: 심박수
Pronunciation: sim-bak-su
Meaning: Heart rate -
Expression: 운동 강도
Pronunciation: un-dong gang-do
Meaning: Exercise intensity
Asking Questions at the Gym
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Expression: 서킷 트레이닝 프로그램이 있나요?
Pronunciation: seo-kit teu-re-i-ning peu-ro-geu-raem-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you have a circuit training program? -
Expression: 이 기구는 어떻게 사용해요?
Pronunciation: i gi-gu-neun eo-tteo-ke sa-yong-hae-yo?
Meaning: How do I use this machine/equipment? -
Expression: 몇 세트 해야 돼요?
Pronunciation: myeot se-teu hae-ya dwae-yo?
Meaning: How many sets should I do? -
Expression: 반복 횟수는 몇 번이 적당해요?
Pronunciation: ban-bok hoet-su-neun myeot beon-i jeok-dang-hae-yo?
Meaning: How many repetitions are appropriate? -
Expression: 쉬는 시간은 얼마나 가져야 돼요?
Pronunciation: swi-neun si-gan-eun eol-ma-na ga-jyeo-ya dwae-yo?
Meaning: How long should the rest time be? -
Expression: 개인 트레이닝(PT)을 받을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: gae-in teu-re-i-ning (pi-ti)-eul bad-eul su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I get personal training (PT)? -
Expression: 이 운동은 어느 근육에 좋아요?
Pronunciation: i un-dong-eun eo-neu geun-yuk-e jo-a-yo?
Meaning: Which muscles does this exercise work? -
Expression: 운동 순서를 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: un-dong sun-seo-reul al-lyeo-ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please tell me the order of the exercises. -
Expression: 자세 좀 봐주세요.
Pronunciation: ja-se jom bwa-ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please check my form/posture. -
Expression: 서킷 트레이닝은 얼마나 자주 하는 게 좋아요?
Pronunciation: seo-kit teu-re-i-ning-eun eol-ma-na ja-ju ha-neun ge jo-a-yo?
Meaning: How often is it good to do circuit training? -
Expression: 초보자에게 맞는 서킷 트레이닝이 있나요?
Pronunciation: cho-bo-ja-e-ge mat-neun seo-kit teu-re-i-ning-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there circuit training suitable for beginners? -
Expression: 운동 목표를 달성하려면 어떻게 해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: un-dong mok-pyo-reul dal-seong-ha-ryeo-myeon eo-tteo-ke hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: What should I do to achieve my fitness goals?
Korean Gym Culture Notes
Understanding gym etiquette in Korea can enhance your experience. Many gyms provide workout clothes and towels, often included in the membership fee. It’s common practice to change into these provided clothes and indoor-only gym shoes upon arrival.
Personal Training, often referred to as “PT” (피티 – pi-ti), is very popular in Korea. Trainers are generally well-qualified and proactive in offering guidance, sometimes even to non-PT clients if they see incorrect form.
Cleanliness is highly valued. Always wipe down equipment after use with the provided towels or wipes. Re-racking weights and keeping the workout area tidy is expected.
Group classes (그룹 수업 – geu-rup su-eop), including circuit training style classes, are common. Signing up in advance might be necessary due to limited spots.
Don’t be surprised to see people taking photos or videos of their workouts (운동 인증샷 – un-dong in-jeung-syat). Sharing fitness progress on social media is quite common in Korea.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A gym member (A) asks a trainer (B) about starting circuit training.
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 트레이너님. 서킷 트레이닝에 대해 여쭤보고 싶은 게 있어요.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, teu-re-i-neo-nim. seo-kit teu-re-i-ning-e dae-hae yeo-jjwo-bo-go sip-eun ge i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Hello, Trainer. I have something I’d like to ask about circuit training. -
Expression: B: 네, 안녕하세요! 무엇이 궁금하신가요?
Pronunciation: ne, an-nyeong-ha-se-yo! mu-eot-i gung-geum-ha-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Yes, hello! What are you curious about? -
Expression: A: 제가 운동 초보인데, 서킷 트레이닝을 시작해도 괜찮을까요?
Pronunciation: je-ga un-dong cho-bo-in-de, seo-kit teu-re-i-ning-eul si-jak-hae-do gwaen-chan-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: I’m a beginner at exercising, would it be okay to start circuit training? -
Expression: B: 그럼요! 서킷 트레이닝은 강도 조절이 가능해서 초보자에게도 좋습니다. 전신 운동 효과도 크고요.
Pronunciation: geu-reom-yo! seo-kit teu-re-i-ning-eun gang-do jo-jeol-i ga-neung-hae-seo cho-bo-ja-e-ge-do jo-sseum-ni-da. jeon-sin un-dong hyo-gwa-do keu-go-yo.
Meaning: Of course! Circuit training intensity can be adjusted, so it’s good for beginners too. It’s also great for a full-body workout. -
Expression: A: 보통 몇 개의 운동 스테이션으로 구성되나요? 그리고 세트 사이 휴식 시간은 어느 정도가 적당한가요?
Pronunciation: bo-tong myeot gae-ui un-dong seu-te-i-syeon-eu-ro gu-seong-doe-na-yo? geu-ri-go se-teu sa-i hyu-sik si-gan-eun eo-neu jeong-do-ga jeok-dang-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Usually, how many exercise stations does it consist of? And how much rest time between sets is appropriate? -
Expression: B: 보통 6개에서 10개 스테이션으로 구성하고, 각 스테이션 운동 후 짧게 쉬거나 바로 다음 운동으로 넘어갑니다. 세트 사이에는 30초에서 1분 정도 쉬는 것이 일반적입니다. 제가 회원님께 맞는 프로그램을 짜드릴 수 있어요.
Pronunciation: bo-tong yeo-seot-gae-e-seo yeol-gae seu-te-i-syeon-eu-ro gu-seong-ha-go, gak seu-te-i-syeon un-dong hu jjal-ge swi-geo-na ba-ro da-eum un-dong-eu-ro neom-eo-gam-ni-da. se-teu sa-i-e-neun sam-sip-cho-e-seo il-bun jeong-do swi-neun geo-si il-ban-jeok-im-ni-da. je-ga hoe-won-nim-kke mat-neun peu-ro-geu-raem-eul jja-deu-ril su i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Usually, it consists of 6 to 10 stations, and after each station’s exercise, you take a short break or move immediately to the next exercise. Resting for about 30 seconds to 1 minute between sets is common. I can create a program tailored for you. -
Expression: A: 와, 정말 감사합니다! 그럼 한번 시작해 보고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: wa, jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da! geu-reom han-beon si-jak-hae bo-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: Wow, thank you so much! Then I’d like to try starting it.
Practice Tips
Now you have the essential Korean phrases for discussing circuit training! Try using 서킷 트레이닝 (seo-kit teu-re-i-ning) in sentences. Practice asking questions like 이 기구는 어떻게 사용해요? (i gi-gu-neun eo-tteo-ke sa-yong-hae-yo?) or stating your preferences, like 저는 서킷 트레이닝을 좋아해요 (jeo-neun seo-kit teu-re-i-ning-eul jo-a-hae-yo – I like circuit training). Listening to Korean fitness videos or observing trainers at a gym can also help you pick up more natural expressions. Don’t be afraid to try them out~ Fighting! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting!)
