Definition of work out

The term "work out" originally referred to financial transactions in the 1950s and 1960s. It was used to describe creating a plan for how to manage a company's assets or debt, such as restructuring financing or reorganizing shareholdings. However, by the 1970s, the phrase "work out" also began to be applied to physical exercise routines. It was coined by bodybuilders who would "work out" at the gym to build muscle and improve their physical health. This usage spread to other forms of exercise, such as aerobics and strength training, and eventually to more general references to physical activity and fitness goals. The exact origin of this second, more commonly used meaning of the term is unclear, but it is possible that it was influenced by athletic trainers who used similar language to describe the process of developing a customized exercise plan for their clients. The broader popularization of fitness culture in the 1970s and 1980s also contributed to the widespread adoption of the phrase. Today, the term "work out" is used in a variety of contexts, from gym sessions to dance classes to virtual fitness apps. It has become a widely recognized term for referring to any purposeful and structured physical activity intended to improve physical fitness or achieve a specific goal, such as weight loss, muscle gain, or improved cardiovascular health.