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Now, let's get started by reading this conversation at the health club:
Worker: Hi, can I help you?
Customer: Yes, I'd like to be a member.
Worker: All right, come into my office and we'll sign you up.
Customer: Is there an initiation fee?
Worker: Yes, it's $250.
Customer: And how much is the monthly fee?
Worker: It's $45 a month. Now, here's the application, please fill out the lines that I put an x next to.
The first thing that you have to do is tell them you want to be a member. Read these example sentences:
"I'd like to be a member"
"I want to join this club"
The first kind of payment is the initiation fee. This is the first fee you pay when you join something. Read these example sentences:
"How much is the initiation fee?"
"How much is the monthly fee?"
Usually the club will make you fill out an application and you will have to read the contract. Here are some common questions you might want to ask:
"How do I stop my membership?"
"How can I pay the club?"
"What kind of facilities do you have?"
Now, let's read this next conversation as a worker gives customer a tour of the the gym:
Worker: Let me show you around the gym. This is the weight room. The women have a weight room upstairs.
Customer: So this area is only for men?
Worker: No, women can work out here too. It's just that some women like to work out alone.
Customer: What are the best times to come?
Worker: After 5 is probably the busiest because everyone comes after work. Here are our two racquetball courts, aerobics room, massage room, and locker rooms.
Read these example sentences:
"What are the best times to come?"
"When is the worst time to come?"
Now read this next conversation as Michiko learns how to use the spa.
Michiko: Can I ask you some questions?
Michael: Sure, go ahead.
Michiko: What is this machine for?
Michael: This machine is for the front part of your thighs.
Michiko: How do you use it?
Michael: First adjust the weights, then sit down. Put your feet under this bar and lift it up straight.
If you want to ask someone some questions, you can say:
"Can I ask you some questions?"
You could also say:
"May I ask you some questions?"
or
"Would you mind if I asked you some questions?"
When you do aerobics, women use a special kind of clothing called a leotard. Then they wear tights on their legs.
Read this conversation during aerobics.
Instructor: All right, 1, 2, stretch those arms!
Michiko: I think I'm going to die. These exercises are killing me!
Tracy: Hang in there. You can do it!
Michiko: Whew! We made it! Let's check our pulses.
Tracy: It's 132.
Michiko: Mine is 135. That was a good workout for us.
In this conversation, Michiko mentioned that she thought she was going to die. This is a figure of speech that means that she's so tired she feels like she will actually die. You can also use the word kill. Read these example sentences:
"I think I'm going to die"
"These exercises are killing me"
After they finished their workout, they checked their pulses. A pulse is the same thing as a heartbeat. Read these example sentences:
"Let's check our pulses"
"Let's take our pulses"
Now, read this conversation while two people are doing aerobics:
Michael: I'm really glad we joined the gym.
Michiko: Yeah, I feel a lot more healthy than before.
Michael: Ow!!
Michiko: What happened?
Michael: I think I pulled a muscle.
Michiko: You'd better go to a doctor. It could be a serious injury.
Michael: You're right. I feel foolish for overdoing it.
In this conversation, Michiko said:
"I feel a lot more healthy than before."
When you join a health spa, be careful to go slowly if you're not used to exercising. Anytime you try to do too much, you can overdo it. Read these example sentences:
"Don't overdo it"
"I hurt myself by overdoing it"
There are many ways to injure yourself. You have to be very careful when exercising.
Read another conversation at the health club where Michael is trying to use a new machine:
Michael: Excuse me, are you using this?
Michiko: Yes, but I'm taking a break. Why don't you go ahead.
Michael: Thanks. Am I doing this right? I feel funny.
Michiko: Looks like you're doing O.K.
Michael: I feel awkward. What am I doing wrong?
Michiko: I don't know. Why don't you watch me, and I'll show you how.
Michael: Oh, I see. I wasn't using my legs enough. Thanks for your help.
Michiko: Sure, no problem.
Michael didn't know how to use the machine so he expressed his feelings. Let's practice these sentences. Read these example sentences:
"I feel funny"
"I feel awkward"
Then he asked questions about whether he is right or wrong. Read these example sentences:
"Am I doing this right?"
"What am I doing wrong?"
Now, read this conversation after exercising:
Michael: Do you have an extra towel?
Michiko: Yes, I just happened to bring an extra one today.
Michael: May I borrow it? I forgot mine.
Michiko: Yes, of course you may.
Michael: I'll be sure to wash it and give it back to you tomorrow.
Michiko: There's no hurry.
In this conversation, Michael forgot to bring a towel. Read these example sentences:
"Do you have an extra towel?"
"I just happened to bring an extra one"
So when you borrow something, be sure to first thank them and tell them when you will return it. Read these examples:
"I'll give it back to you as soon as possible"
or
"I'll return it to you tomorrow."
Another part of a health club that people enjoy is the massages. Read this conversation:
Michael: I'd like to get a massage, please.
Michiko: Where does it hurt?
Michael: I ache all over.
Michiko: Don't worry I'll get all the knots out.
Michiko: How does that feel?
Michael: Great. I feel as relaxed as jelly.
Sometimes when you get a massage, you only hurt in one area. At other times you hurt all over. Read these example sentences:
"I ache all over"
"It hurts all over"
If you work too hard and have stress, your body might tighten up. Those are called knots. For example:
"Please get all the knots out"
In the conversation, the masseuse asked the customer how he felt. He replied:
"I feel as relaxed as jelly."
