Many people want to start getting fit when a new year begins. They think it’s a good time to make changes like exercising more and eating better. But often, people stop trying after just a few weeks. When it’s cold outside and after eating a lot during holidays, it can be hard to start working out.

It might be smarter to start working out in late fall or early winter. Things are usually quieter then, and it feels good to do something different. If you begin to exercise and eat well before winter, you’ll already have good habits when the new year comes. Plus, gyms aren’t as full, so it’s easier to learn and feel good about working out.

Gyms get really busy in January because lots of people decide to exercise more. For example, Pure Gym is busiest in January but not so much in November and December. Parkrun, which is about running outside, also gets more people in January. But trying to do too much too fast can make you feel bad if you don’t reach your goals. Experts say it’s good to learn about the gym, have a plan, work out with a friend, and try different classes to see what you like.

Original news source: Why do people always wait until January to get fit? (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

Fast

📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– Charades
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Give each group a set of exercise-related vocabulary words from the article. One member from each group will act out a word or phrase without speaking, and the other group members must guess what it is. The group that guesses correctly earns a point. Rotate the actors within each group and continue until all the words have been acted out.

– News Summary
Instructions: Have the students work in pairs. Each pair will summarize the main points of the article in their own words. After a few minutes, have each pair share their summary with the rest of the class. Encourage the class to ask questions or make comments about each summary to promote discussion and understanding.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Create a list of statements related to the article, such as “Exercising in the winter is more challenging than in the summer.” Have the students walk around the classroom and ask their classmates for their opinion on each statement. They should record their classmates’ responses and be prepared to share their findings with the class. Afterward, have a class discussion about the different opinions and reasons behind them.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Provide each group with a list of exercise-related vocabulary words from the article. One member of each group will choose a word and draw a picture that represents the word while the other group members try to guess what it is. The group that correctly guesses the word earns a point. Rotate the drawers within each group and continue until all the words have been drawn.

– Speed Summarizing
Instructions: Have the students sit in pairs facing each other. Give each pair a copy of the article. Set a timer for 3 minutes. One student will read a paragraph from the article while the other student listens. When the timer goes off, the roles switch and the other student reads the next paragraph. Continue until the entire article has been read. Then, have the students take turns summarizing what they remember from the article to their partner.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. Why do many people want to start getting fit at the beginning of a new year?
2. Why is it hard to start working out when it’s cold outside and after eating a lot during the holidays?
3. When might be a smarter time to start working out?
4. Why is it easier to learn and feel good about working out in late fall or early winter?
5. When do gyms get really busy?
6. What can happen if you try to do too much too fast when exercising?
7. What are some tips from experts for starting to exercise?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Many people want to start getting fit when a new year begins. They (1)______ it’s a (2)______ time to make changes like exercising more and eating better. But often, people (3)______ trying after just a few weeks. When it’s cold outside and after eating a lot during holidays, it can be hard to (4)______ working out.

It might be smarter to start working out in late fall or early (5)______. Things are usually quieter then, and it (6)______ good to do something different. If you begin to exercise and eat well before winter, you’ll already have good habits when the new year comes. Plus, gyms aren’t as full, so it’s easier to (7)______ and feel good about working out.

Gyms get really busy in January because lots of people decide to exercise (8)______. For example, Pure Gym is busiest in January but not so much in (9)______ and December. Parkrun, which is about running outside, also gets more people in January. But trying to do too much too fast can make you feel bad if you don’t reach your goals. Experts say it’s good to learn about the gym, have a plan, (10)______ out with a (11)______, and try different classes to see what you (12)______.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What are some changes that people want to make when a new year begins?
2. How do you think the cold weather and eating a lot during the holidays can make it hard to start working out?
3. When do you think might be a smarter time to start working out – late fall or early winter, or in January? Why?
4. Why do you think gyms are less full in late fall and early winter compared to January?
5. What are some things that experts suggest for people who want to start exercising more?
6. Do you think it’s a good idea to have a plan when you start working out? Why or why not?
7. How do you think working out with a friend can make you feel better about exercising?
8. Have you ever tried any different classes at a gym? What did you like about them?
9. How do you think trying to do too much too fast can make you feel bad?
10. Do you think it’s important to reach your goals when you start working out? Why or why not?
11. How do you think it feels to have good habits when a new year comes?
12. Why do you think more people go to the gym in January compared to November and December?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. exercising
2. habits
3. smarter
4. quieter
5. goals
6. experts
7. gym
8. plan
9. classes
10. different
11. busiest
12. decide

Meanings:
(A) Lessons or groups where you learn something new
(B) When there is less noise and fewer people
(C) More clever or wise
(D) Moving your body to get stronger and healthier
(E) Things you do often without thinking
(F) A place where you can go to work out and get fit
(G) A set of steps you make to help you do something
(H) Things you want to achieve or do
(I) When there are more people somewhere than usual
(J) People who know a lot about something
(K) Not the same as what you usually see or do
(L) To make up your mind about something
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. When do many people want to start getting fit?
(a) When it’s hot outside
(b) When a new year begins
(c) When they are on vacation
(d) When they are busy with work

2. Why do people often stop trying to get fit after a few weeks?
(a) They get bored of exercising
(b) They don’t have enough time to exercise
(c) They don’t enjoy eating healthy food
(d) It’s hard to start working out when it’s cold outside and after eating a lot during holidays

3. When is it smarter to start working out?
(a) Spring or summer
(b) Anytime during the year
(c) In January
(d) Late fall or early winter

4. Why is it easier to learn and feel good about working out in late fall or early winter?
(a) The weather is better for exercising
(b) People have more free time
(c) Gyms aren’t as full
(d) There are more fitness classes available

5. When is Pure Gym busiest?
(a) January
(b) November and December
(c) Spring and summer
(d) Late fall or early winter

6. What is Parkrun about?
(a) Running outside
(b) Exercising at the gym
(c) Eating healthy food
(d) Doing yoga

7. What can make you feel bad if you don’t reach your goals?
(a) Exercising with a friend
(b) Trying to do too much too fast
(c) Learning about the gym
(d) Trying different classes

8. What do experts recommend to help you reach your fitness goals?
(a) Exercising alone and not trying new things
(b) Only going to the gym in January
(c) Learning about the gym, having a plan, working out with a friend, and trying different classes
(d) Eating unhealthy food

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. People rarely give up on their fitness goals after a few weeks.
2. It can be difficult to start working out when it’s cold outside and after eating a lot during the holidays.
3. It might be better to start working out in late spring or early summer.
4. Many people want to start getting fit at the beginning of a new year.
5. Gyms are usually more crowded in November and December compared to January.
6. Parkrun gets fewer people in January.
7. Pure Gym is busiest in January.
8. It’s important to have a plan, learn about the gym, work out with a friend, and try different classes to find what you like.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. Why do many people want to start getting fit when a new year begins?
2. Why is it hard to start working out in the winter?
3. When is a good time to start working out?
4. Why are gyms busier in January?
5. What are some tips for starting to exercise and reach your goals?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Why do many people want to start getting fit at the beginning of a new year?
Many people want to start getting fit at the beginning of a new year because they see it as a fresh start and a good time to make changes in their lives.

2. Why is it hard to start working out when it’s cold outside and after eating a lot during the holidays?
It’s hard to start working out when it’s cold outside and after eating a lot during the holidays because we might feel lazy and not motivated to exercise. Plus, the cold weather can make it uncomfortable to go outside and be active.

3. When might be a smarter time to start working out?
A smarter time to start working out might be in late fall or early winter when things are usually quieter and it feels good to do something different.

4. Why is it easier to learn and feel good about working out in late fall or early winter?
It’s easier to learn and feel good about working out in late fall or early winter because the gyms are not as crowded, so there is less pressure. Also, trying something new during this time can be exciting and refreshing.

5. When do gyms get really busy?
Gyms get really busy in January when lots of people decide to exercise more.

6. What can happen if you try to do too much too fast when exercising?
If you try to do too much too fast when exercising, you might feel bad if you don’t reach your goals. It’s important to start slowly and gradually increase your exercise routine.

7. What are some tips from experts for starting to exercise?
Some tips from experts for starting to exercise are: learn about the gym, have a plan, work out with a friend, and try different classes to see what you like.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) think
(2) good
(3) stop
(4) start
(5) winter
(6) feels
(7) learn
(8) more
(9) November
(10) work
(11) friend
(12) like
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. exercising
Answer: (D) Moving your body to get stronger and healthier

2. habits
Answer: (E) Things you do often without thinking

3. smarter
Answer: (C) More clever or wise

4. quieter
Answer: (B) When there is less noise and fewer people

5. goals
Answer: (H) Things you want to achieve or do

6. experts
Answer: (J) People who know a lot about something

7. gym
Answer: (F) A place where you can go to work out and get fit

8. plan
Answer: (G) A set of steps you make to help you do something

9. classes
Answer: (A) Lessons or groups where you learn something new

10. different
Answer: (K) Not the same as what you usually see or do

11. busiest
Answer: (I) When there are more people somewhere than usual

12. decide
Answer: (L) To make up your mind about something
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. When do many people want to start getting fit?
Answer: (b) When a new year begins

2. Why do people often stop trying to get fit after a few weeks?
Answer: (d) It’s hard to start working out when it’s cold outside and after eating a lot during holidays

3. When is it smarter to start working out?
Answer: (d) Late fall or early winter

4. Why is it easier to learn and feel good about working out in late fall or early winter?
Answer: (c) Gyms aren’t as full

5. When is Pure Gym busiest?
Answer: (a) January

6. What is Parkrun about?
Answer: (a) Running outside

7. What can make you feel bad if you don’t reach your goals?
Answer: (b) Trying to do too much too fast

8. What do experts recommend to help you reach your fitness goals?
Answer: (c) Learning about the gym, having a plan, working out with a friend, and trying different classes
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. People rarely give up on their fitness goals after a few weeks. (Answer: False)
2. It can be difficult to start working out when it’s cold outside and after eating a lot during the holidays. (Answer: True)
3. It might be better to start working out in late spring or early summer. (Answer: False)
4. Many people want to start getting fit at the beginning of a new year. (Answer: True)
5. Gyms are usually more crowded in November and December compared to January. (Answer: False)
6. Parkrun gets fewer people in January. (Answer: False)
7. Pure Gym is busiest in January. (Answer: True)
8. It’s important to have a plan, learn about the gym, work out with a friend, and try different classes to find what you like. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧