el muslo
El muslo means the thigh, the upper part of your leg. It is common when talking about soreness, tightness, or muscle groups after leg training.
Common Phrases
- dolor en el muslo — pain in the thigh
- tener el muslo tenso — to have a tight thigh
Example
Tengo dolor en el muslo despues de la sentadilla.
I have pain in my thigh after the squat.
Common Mistake
Mixing up el muslo (thigh) with la pantorrilla (calf), or dropping the article in normal speech: Me duele el muslo, not Me duele muslo.
la serie
La serie means a set in strength training: a group of repetitions done together. In the gym, it is the everyday word you use when counting sets and rest times.
Common Phrases
- hacer una serie — to do a set
- terminar la serie — to finish the set
Example
Hago una serie de ocho repeticiones.
I do a set of eight repetitions.
Common Mistake
Using la seta (mushroom) by accident, or forcing English order: say una serie de ocho repeticiones, not una serie ocho repeticiones.
rapido
Rapido means fast or quickly. In training, it often describes speed of reps, tempo, or how you move between exercises.
Common Phrases
- ir rapido — to go fast
- hacerlo rapido — to do it quickly
Example
Hoy no voy rapido; controlo cada repeticion.
Today I am not going fast; I control each repetition.
Common Mistake
Forgetting the written accent: rápido is standard. Also do not confuse speed with intensity: rapido is about pace, not necessarily heavier weight (avoid rapido = fuerte).
el animo
El animo means motivation, spirit, or mood. It is useful for explaining why you train better with company or music.
Common Phrases
- tener animo — to have motivation
- subir el animo — to boost motivation
Example
Mi animo sube cuando entreno con alguien.
My motivation goes up when I train with someone.
Common Mistake
Missing the accent in writing: el ánimo is standard. Also avoid using it like English "animal": animo is not animal.
el aire
El aire means the air, and in workouts it is the word you use for breathing in and preparing for a hard rep. It often appears with deep breathing before an attempt.
Common Phrases
- tomar aire — to take a breath
- aire profundo — a deep breath
Example
Tomo aire y aprieto el abdomen antes de levantar.
I take a breath and brace my core before lifting.
Common Mistake
Over-translating from English and saying tomar un aire too often; in gym speech tomar aire is the smooth, common choice.
el esfuerzo
El esfuerzo means effort, especially the work you put in consistently. It is common in motivational lines about progress over weeks.
Common Phrases
- hacer un esfuerzo — to make an effort
- el esfuerzo diario — daily effort
Example
El esfuerzo constante se nota con el tiempo.
Consistent effort shows over time.
Common Mistake
Using esfuerzo like a verb. It is a noun: say hago un esfuerzo, not esfuerzo mas.
el sudor
El sudor means sweat. In training talk, it can be literal (you are sweating) or motivational (sweat as proof of work).
Common Phrases
- sudar mucho — to sweat a lot
- estar cubierto de sudor — to be covered in sweat
Example
Estoy cubierto de sudor despues del cardio.
I am covered in sweat after cardio.
Common Mistake
Confusing the noun and verb: el sudor (sweat) vs sudar (to sweat). Avoid yo sudor; say yo sudo.
el pulso
El pulso means pulse or heart rate. It is useful when you monitor intensity and decide to slow down.
Common Phrases
- revisar el pulso — to check your pulse
- tener el pulso alto — to have a high heart rate
Example
Reviso el pulso y descanso un minuto.
I check my pulse and rest for a minute.
Common Mistake
Using la pulsa or mixing with electronics: el pulso is your body signal, not a button press (avoid pulso = presiono in this context).