Hitting the gym in Japan is a fantastic way to stay fit and immerse yourself in the local daily routine. Whether you’re a seasoned weightlifter or a casual fitness enthusiast, navigating a Japanese gym (ジム, jimu) for the first time can feel a little different from what you’re used to back home. From unique etiquette rules to essential vocabulary on the machines, there’s a lot to learn.
But don’t worry! This comprehensive guide to Japanese in the gym will equip you with all the essential Japanese phrases, vocabulary, and cultural know-how you need to work out with confidence. From signing up for a day pass to asking how many sets someone has left, we’ve got you covered.
1. How Gyms in Japan Work: An Overview
Japanese fitness centers, or フィットネスクラブ (fittonesu kurabu), range from large, resort-like sports clubs to small, 24-hour neighborhood gyms. Popular chains include Anytime Fitness, Gold’s Gym (ゴールドジム), Konami Sports Club (コナミスポーツクラブ), and Joyfit24. While monthly memberships are the norm, many places offer day passes for visitors. Key differences often include a strict policy of changing into indoor-only shoes upon entry and excellent bathing facilities like saunas and communal baths.
Gym Vocabulary
ジム (jimu) = Gym
会員 (かいいん) = Member
月会費 (げっかいひ) = Monthly fee
ビジター (bijitā) = Visitor / Day pass user
室内履き (しつないばき) = Indoor shoes
更衣室 (こういしつ) = Changing room
| Gym Vocabulary | ||
| ジム | (jimu) | Gym |
| 会員 | (かいいん) | Member |
| 月会費 | (げっかいひ) | Monthly fee |
| ビジター | (bijitā) | Visitor / Day pass user |
| 室内履き | (しつないばき) | Indoor shoes |
| 更衣室 | (こういしつ) | Changing room |
これをどうぞ。 つまらな いものですが…
これをどうぞ。つまらな いものですが…
Kore o dōzo. Tsumaranai mono desu ga…
Please have this. It’s just a small thing, but… (when giving a gift)
これ (これ) = This
どうぞ (どうぞ) = Please / Go ahead
つまらないもの (つまらないもの) = Insignificant thing
2. Getting Through the Door: Signing Up
Your first interaction will be at the front desk (受付, uketsuke). Here’s how to communicate whether you’re just visiting for the day or want to become a full-fledged member.
At the Reception Desk (受付, uketsuke)
見学したいです。
けんがくしたいです。
Kengaku shitai desu.
I’d like to tour the gym.
ビジターで利用したいです。
ビジターでりようしたいです。
Bijitā de riyō shitai desu.
I’d like to use the gym as a visitor (get a day pass).
入会したいです。
にゅうかいしたいです。
Nyūkai shitai desu.
I’d like to become a member.
料金はいくらですか。
りょうきんはいくらですか。
Ryōkin wa ikura desu ka.
How much is the fee?
Related Vocabulary
受付 (うけつけ, uketsuke) = Reception desk
入会 (にゅうかい, nyūkai) = Joining / Becoming a member
退会 (たいかい, taikai) = Withdrawing membership
手続き (てつづき, tetsuzuki) = Procedure / Paperwork
身分証明書 (みぶんしょうめいしょ, mibun shōmeisho) = Identification (ID)
3. The Changing Room Lowdown
The changing room, or ロッカールーム (rokkā rūmu), is your next stop. Look for the correct entrance: 男 (otoko) for men and 女 (onna) for women. Here’s how to ask for essentials like towels and navigate the lockers.
Changing Room Phrases
タオルを借りてもいいですか。
タオルをかりてもいいですか。
Taoru o karite mo ii desu ka.
May I borrow a towel?
このロッカーは使えますか。
このロッカーはつかえますか。
Kono rokkā wa tsukaemasu ka.
Can I use this locker?
鍵のかけ方が分かりません。
かぎのかけかたがわかりません。
Kagi no kakekata ga wakarimasen.
I don’t understand how to lock it.
Locker Room Vocabulary
ロッカールーム (rokkā rūmu) = Locker room
男 (おとこ, otoko) = Male
女 (おんな, onna) = Female
鍵 (かぎ, kagi) = Key
タオル (taoru) = Towel
着替える (きがえる, kigaeru) = To get changed
4. Navigating the Gym Floor: 3 Essential Conversations
On the gym floor, politeness and awareness of others are key. These three simple questions will cover most of your interactions with other gym-goers and staff and are the core of using practical Japanese in the gym.
1. Asking if a Machine is Free
すみません、使っていますか。
すみません、つかっていますか。
Sumimasen, tsukatte imasu ka.
Excuse me, are you using this?
Possible replies:
はい、使っています。(Hai, tsukatte imasu.) – Yes, I’m using it.
いいえ、どうぞ。(Iie, dōzo.) – No, go ahead.
2. Asking How Many Sets are Left
あと何セットですか。
あと なんセットですか。
Ato nan-setto desu ka.
How many sets do you have left?
Possible replies:
あと１セットです。(Ato is-setto desu.) – I have one set left.
これが最後です。(Kore ga saigo desu.) – This is my last one.
3. Asking for Help or a Spot
すみません、手伝ってもらえますか。
すみません、てつだってもらえますか。
Sumimasen, tetsudatte moraemasu ka.
Excuse me, could you help me? (General help)
補助をお願いできますか。
ほじょをおねがいできますか。
Hojo o onegai dekimasu ka.
Could I ask for a spot? (Specific for spotting)
5. Counting Your Reps
Counting is fundamental to any workout. Repetitions are counted with 〜回 (kai), and sets with 〜セット (setto).
Reps (回, kai) & Sets (セット, setto)
1回 (いっかい, ikkai) – One rep
2回 (にかい, nikai) – Two reps
3回 (さんかい, sankai) – Three reps
4回 (よんかい, yonkai) – Four reps
5回 (ごかい, gokai) – Five reps
6回 (ろっかい, rokkai) – Six reps
7回 (ななかい, nanakai) – Seven reps
8回 (はっかい/はちかい, hakkai/hachikai) – Eight reps
9回 (きゅうかい, kyūkai) – Nine reps
10回 (じゅっかい/じっかい, jukkai/jikkai) – Ten reps
11回 (じゅういっかい, jūikkai) – Eleven reps
12回 (じゅうにかい, jūnikai) – Twelve reps
13回 (じゅうさんかい, jūsankai) – Thirteen reps
14回 (じゅうよんかい, jūyonkai) – Fourteen reps
15回 (じゅうごかい, jūgokai) – Fifteen reps
Example: １０回３セット (jukkai san-setto) = 3 sets of 10 reps.
6. Reading the Machines: Essential Kanji & Katakana
Most modern gym equipment is fairly universal, but knowing a few key characters will help you adjust weights and understand the machine’s function without guesswork.
Kanji on Machines
押 (おす) = Push
引 (ひく) = Pull
重 (おもい) = Heavy
軽 (かるい) = Light
始 (はじめ) = Start
止 (とまれ) = Stop
速 (はやい) = Fast
遅 (おそい) = Slow
Common Katakana Body Parts
チェスト (chesuto) = Chest
ショルダー (shorudā) = Shoulder
アーム (āmu) = Arm
レッグ (reggu) = Leg
バック (bakku) = Back
アブドミナル (abudominaru) = Abdominal
7. Don’t Be That Person: Critical Gym Etiquette
Japanese culture places a high value on consideration for others, and the gym is no exception. Following these etiquette rules is just as crucial as the phrases themselves for a successful experience using Japanese in the gym.
- Indoor Shoes are a MUST: You must change from your outdoor shoes to clean, indoor-only training shoes. This is non-negotiable.
- Wipe Down Equipment: Always use the provided small towels (おしぼり, oshibori) to wipe down the machine, bench, and any handles you touched after you’re finished.
- Re-rack Your Weights: Just like anywhere else, put your dumbbells and plates back where you found them.
- No Phone Calls: Texting is usually fine, but taking phone calls on the gym floor is a major faux pas.
- Don’t Hog Machines: Be mindful of others waiting. If you’re resting for a long time between sets, let others “work in” (交代で使いましょう, kōtai de tsukaimashō).
8. Body Part Vocabulary
Want to talk about your workout? Knowing the names for major body parts is a great place to start.
Body Parts (体, karada)
腕 (うで) = Arm
胸 (むね) = Chest
背中 (せなか) = Back
肩 (かた) = Shoulder
足 (あし) = Leg / Foot
お腹 (おなか) = Stomach
腹筋 (ふっきん) = Abs / Abdominal muscles
お尻 (おしり) = Buttocks / Glutes
9. Post-Workout Wind-Down: Shower, Sauna, and Onsen
Many larger Japanese gyms have fantastic bathing facilities. The most important rule is to always wash your body thoroughly with soap at the showers before entering any communal bath (お風呂, ofuro) or sauna (サウナ, sauna).
Bathing Vocabulary
シャワー (shawā) = Shower
お風呂 (おふろ, ofuro) = Bath
サウナ (sauna) = Sauna
水風呂 (みずぶろ, mizuburo) = Cold plunge pool
石鹸 (せっけん, sekken) = Soap
シャンプー (shanpū) = Shampoo
体を洗う (からだをあらう, karada o arau) = To wash one’s body
10. Joining a Studio Class
Group lessons like yoga (ヨガ) or aerobics (エアロビクス) are very popular. Here’s how to inquire about joining one.
Studio Class Phrases
今日のクラスのスケジュールを教えてください。
きょうのクラスのスケジュールをおしえてください。
Kyō no kurasu no sukejūru o oshiete kudasai.
Please tell me today’s class schedule.
このクラスに参加したいです。
このクラスにさんかしたいです。
Kono kurasu ni sanka shitai desu.
I want to participate in this class.
予約は必要ですか。
よやくはひつようですか。
Yoyaku wa hitsuyō desu ka.
Is a reservation necessary?
Related Vocabulary
クラス (kurasu) = Class
レッスン (ressun) = Lesson
スケジュール (sukejūru) = Schedule
予約 (よやく, yoyaku) = Reservation
参加 (さんか, sanka) = Participation
インストラクター (insutorakutā) = Instructor
11. Your Ultimate Japanese Gym Cheat Sheet
Save this list to your phone! These are the absolute must-know phrases for a successful gym visit.
ビジターで利用したいです。
(Bijitā de riyō shitai desu.)
I’d like a day pass.
室内履きはあります。
(Shitsunaibaki wa arimasu.)
I have indoor shoes.
すみません、使っていますか。
(Sumimasen, tsukatte imasu ka.)
Excuse me, are you using this?
あと何セットですか。
(Ato nan-setto desu ka.)
How many sets do you have left?
これが最後です。
(Kore ga saigo desu.)
This is my last one.
手伝ってもらえますか。
(Tetsudatte moraemasu ka.)
Could you help me?
１０回３セット
(jukkai san-setto)
3 sets of 10 reps.
お疲れ様です。
(Otsukaresama desu.)
A common greeting/goodbye in the gym, meaning something like “Good work” or “You’ve worked hard.”
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