Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Urban Cycling & Everyday Fitness 4

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four people reviewing their experiences of hiring a personal trainer to help them achieve specific fitness goals.

For questions 1-10, choose from the people (A-D). The people may be chosen more than once.

Which person

1   mentions feeling capable of exercising without supervision?

2   values the advice they received regarding their daily routines?

3   admits to having reservations about the cost of the sessions?

4   realised their previous approach to getting in shape was flawed?

5   needed professional support to recover from a physical setback?

6   felt overwhelmed by the atmosphere in the training facility?

7   states that their trainer stopped them from abandoning their fitness journey?

8   hired a trainer to help them prepare for a competitive run?

9   was impressed by the trainer’s willingness to modify workouts on the spot?

10   focused specifically on mastering the safe execution of physical movements?

Getting into Shape: Is a Personal Trainer Worth It?

A Mark

After tearing a knee ligament during a competitive tennis match, I spent agonizing months in physiotherapy. Once discharged, I desperately needed to rebuild my strength but was terrified of doing further damage. I’d always considered personal trainers an unnecessary luxury, and I initially balked at the exorbitant hourly rates. However, booking ten sessions with Tom turned out to be the best investment I’ve ever made. He didn’t just push me blindly; if my knee felt stiff on any given day, he would instantly tailor the routine to accommodate my limitations, ensuring I still got a rigorous workout without risking a setback. He was also brilliant at keeping me motivated, though unlike some people who need a coach for a specific race, my only finish line was walking pain-free. While I’m not entirely ready to hit the gym solo yet, Tom’s expertise has undoubtedly sped up my recovery.

B Sarah

I’ve never been a natural athlete, so when I foolishly signed up for a city half-marathon for charity, panic quickly set in. I knew that if I was going to cross that finish line, I needed professional intervention. Enter Jenna. We didn’t spend much time lifting heavy weights in a crowded gym, which was a massive relief as I’ve always found that environment rather off-putting. Instead, she designed a progressive running schedule that gradually built my endurance while incorporating crucial stretches to prevent injury. More importantly, Jenna acted as my unofficial sports therapist. There were countless cold, rainy mornings when my alarm went off and I wanted to throw in the towel. If it hadn’t been for her waiting for me at the park, encouraging me every step of the way, I would have definitely quit. She completely transformed my mindset, proving that I am capable of achieving long-term goals.

C David

For years, I struggled with my weight, caught in an endless cycle of joining a gym in January and giving up by March. I used to be under the illusion that spending hours jogging endlessly on a treadmill was the only way to shed pounds. It wasn’t until I hired Marcus that I realised just how misguided my approach had been. He explained that you simply can’t out-train a bad diet and proceeded to completely overhaul my daily habits. We spent as much time discussing meal preparation, hydration, and sleep hygiene as we did actually exercising. I had expected to pay a fortune for this comprehensive level of service, but his package was surprisingly reasonable. Having someone hold me accountable for what I consumed outside the gym was the missing piece of the puzzle. Thanks to his holistic approach, I’ve finally achieved a sustainable weight and feel more energetic than ever.

D Emma

Walking into the free weights section of my local fitness centre used to fill me with absolute dread. It was always packed with experienced lifters, and I felt completely out of my depth, fearing I might look foolish or, worse, injure my back—something I’d managed to do a few years ago. I hired Lisa specifically to help me overcome this overwhelming anxiety. She broke down complex movements like squats and deadlifts, ensuring my posture was flawless before letting me add any significant weight. Her meticulous attention to proper technique was exactly what I needed to progress safely. After three months of working together, my confidence has skyrocketed. I now strut into the weight room without a second thought and put together my own routines. Lisa essentially made herself redundant, which is the ultimate sign of a truly outstanding coach. I’m stronger and more self-assured than I ever thought possible.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four teenagers talking about how taking up yoga helped them manage the stress of high school exams.

For questions 1-10, choose from the people (A-D). The people may be chosen more than once.

Which person

1   admits they initially underestimated what the practice involved?

2   applied a specific technique while they were actually taking a test?

3   struggled to keep up a consistent practice in the beginning?

4   found relief from physical discomfort caused by studying?

5   started yoga because an issue prevented them from doing their usual sport?

6   followed a recommendation given by someone at their school?

7   appreciated being in an environment where people were not trying to outdo each other?

8   was relieved to see a significant improvement in their sleep patterns?

9   found that yoga helped them to maintain their focus during revision sessions?

10   felt that sharing their worries with others in the group was beneficial?

Finding Calm in the Chaos: Teenagers and Yoga

A Liam

When exam season approached last year, I was an absolute bundle of nerves. I’d spend hours hunched over my desk, which inevitably led to terrible neck pain and pounding headaches. A friend suggested yoga, but I was highly skeptical. I honestly took it for granted that it was just a bit of light stretching for people who couldn’t handle real workouts. How wrong I was! I signed up for a beginner’s course and was amazed at how physically demanding it actually was. However, the most profound change wasn’t physical; it was how it affected my downtime. Previously, I would lie awake for hours, my mind racing with history dates and complex math formulas. Once I got into a steady yoga routine, my insomnia virtually vanished. I’d wake up feeling refreshed and ready to tackle my revision. The neck aches disappeared too, making my intensive study sessions far more bearable.

B Chloe

I’ve always been someone who gets easily distracted, and preparing for my final exams was proving to be a nightmare. I would sit down to revise, and within ten minutes, my mind would wander elsewhere. It was actually my geography teacher who noticed my lack of concentration, and I was subsequently advised to try some online yoga tutorials to help clear my head. At first, I found it incredibly difficult to stick with it. I’d do it for two days, get bored, and give up for a week. But once I forced myself to practice for just fifteen minutes every morning, I really turned a corner. The difference in my attention span was remarkable. By learning to centre my thoughts on the mat, I figured out how to block out distractions at my desk. Instead of staring blankly at my textbooks, I could finally absorb the information.

C Rohan

I used to rely on playing competitive rugby to let off steam, but after a nasty knee injury, that was no longer an option. If I hadn’t injured my leg, I probably would never have discovered yoga. Without my usual physical outlet, the immense pressure of the upcoming exams started to get to me, and I began experiencing mild panic attacks. My physiotherapist recommended yoga as a safe way to stay active, but it ended up being my secret weapon for managing academic stress. We spent a lot of time focusing on deep, rhythmic breathing exercises, which turned out to be a lifesaver. During my physics exam, I came across a question that completely threw me, and I felt that familiar wave of panic rising. Instead of breaking down, I closed my eyes and did the breathing exercises I’d mastered. It immediately lowered my heart rate, allowing me to think logically.

D Mia

My high school is notorious for its intensely competitive academic environment. Everyone is constantly comparing grades and trying to be at the top of the class, which I find utterly exhausting. I decided to join a weekly yoga class at the local community centre just to get away from all that academic rivalry. It was such a breath of fresh air! Nobody cared about how flexible you were or if you could hold a pose the longest; it was a completely judgement-free zone. What really helped me, though, was the social aspect of the class. Afterwards, the instructor would make us tea, and we’d sit around chatting. Being able to open up about my exam anxieties with people who were so supportive and entirely disconnected from my school life put everything into perspective. I bounced back to my studies with a much healthier mindset.

Exercises:   123456