working out on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "working out on" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly; the correct phrase would be "working out" or "working on." Example: "I have been working out at the gym every day this week."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Walking, running, weight lifting and working out on resistance machines is unquestionably effective and safe for most adults, if done properly.

The New York Times

If you're working out on carpet, you won't be able to slide with towels.

WikiHow

On the other hand, you'll see activities like getting up and working out on a Monday morning like this one.

TechCrunch

No one spent his lunch hour working out on treadmills.

Forbes

"You're working out on your own terms," Ms. Olseen said.

The New York Times

He said Curry had been working out on his own.

The New York Times - Sports

"[Spacey's character] is just working out on a rowing machine.

The Guardian

Do you see yourself working out on a regular basis after this?

The New York Times

He has been working out on his own and may be activated Tuesday.

The New York Times

"Floating is the mental equivalent of working out on a Nautilus machine," Hutchison said.

The New Yorker

But he also kept up with the running, working out on his own.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to physical exercise, use the phrasal verb "work out" without the preposition "on". For example, say "I work out at the gym" instead of "I work out on the gym."

Common error

Avoid adding "on" after "work out" when describing exercise activities or locations. The correct usage is simply "work out" followed by the location or activity. Saying "working out on" often sounds unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "working out on" functions as a gerund phrase followed by a preposition. Ludwig AI indicates that it's often an incorrect or awkward construction in standard English, especially when referring to exercising at a specific place. Examples show its use in various contexts, but the AI recommends using "working out" or "working on" instead.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "working out on" appears frequently across various sources, Ludwig AI suggests it is often grammatically incorrect in standard written English. A more precise way to express the same idea is to use either "working out" (for exercise) or "working on" (for development). It's recommended to avoid using "on" after "work out" when specifying a location. While present in many contexts, the phrase is best avoided in formal writing. It's better to use alternatives such as "exercising at" or "training at" for more grammatically sound construction. The phrase is most common in news and media, but that doesn't make it a preferred expression in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exercising on

This alternative directly replaces "working out" with "exercising", maintaining a very similar meaning but emphasizing the physical activity.

training on

This option is a close synonym, focusing on the aspect of preparation or skill development through physical activity.

exercising with

This changes the preposition to "with", implying the use of equipment or tools during exercise.

training with

Similar to "exercising with", this highlights the use of tools or a coach during training.

practicing on

Focuses on the repetition of exercises to improve skill, akin to practicing a sport.

developing on

This shifts the meaning towards improving a skill or attribute rather than physical exercise, but using a specific platform or method.

refining on

Emphasizes the process of making something better through repeated effort, often in a technical or artistic sense.

experimenting on

Implies a trial-and-error approach to improving something, with a focus on discovery and learning.

building upon

Suggests adding to an existing foundation to create something better or more complex.

elaborating on

Focuses on adding detail and complexity to an existing idea or plan, moving away from the physical activity aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "work out" correctly in a sentence?

Use "work out" followed by the place where you exercise (e.g., "I work out at the gym") or use it alone to indicate exercising in general (e.g., "I need to work out more often").

What's a better way to phrase "working out on"?

Consider using alternatives such as "exercising at" or "training at" depending on the context. If you mean to say you were developing something, consider "working on".

Is it correct to say "I'm working out on the treadmill"?

While commonly said, it is more grammatically precise to say "I'm working out on a treadmill" or simply "I'm working out using the treadmill."

What's the difference between "working out" and "working on"?

"Working out" generally refers to physical exercise, while "working on" refers to developing, fixing, or improving something. The context dictates which one to use.