#32 Asking About Hotel Amenities｜French Travel Conversation
Izumi French Garden
#112 Using a Gym｜French Daily-Life Phrases
Izumi
When staying abroad, many people choose to use a gym to stay active and avoid a lack of exercise. In many cases, even non-members can access a gym by purchasing a daily pass, which makes it easy to enjoy a workout casually.
When asking about how to use the gym, inquiring about the facilities, or confirming the fees in French, it is important to use polite and appropriate expressions.
In this article, I introduce useful French phrases for situations such as speaking with the reception staff and asking questions about the facilities when using a gym.
Contents
Dialogue
Bonjour, j’aimerais utiliser la salle de sport aujourd’hui. Est-ce qu’elle est ouverte pour les visiteurs ?
（Hello, I’d like to use the gym today. Is it open to visitors?）
Oui, bien sûr. Vous pouvez acheter un pass journalier à l’accueil.
（Yes, of course. You can purchase a day pass at the reception desk.）
Merci. Et pourriez-vous me dire quels équipements sont disponibles ?
（Thank you. And could you tell me what equipment is available?）
Nous avons des machines de musculation, des tapis de course et un espace pour les étirements.
（We have weight-training machines, treadmills, and a stretching area.）
Y a-t-il des casiers où je peux laisser mes affaires ?
（Are there any lockers where I can leave my belongings?）
Oui, les casiers sont juste derrière vous. Il vous faudra un cadenas.
（Yes, the lockers are right behind you. You will need a padlock.）
D’accord. Et où se trouvent les vestiaires et les douches ?
（I see. And where are the changing rooms and showers located?）
Les vestiaires sont au fond du couloir, à gauche.
（The changing rooms are at the end of the hallway, on the left.）
Super, merci beaucoup pour votre aide !
（Great, thank you very much for your help!）
1. Expressing That You Would Like to Use the Gym
Your first step at the reception is to tell the staff that you would like to use the gym.
- J’aimerais utiliser la salle de sport aujourd’hui.
（I would like to use the gym today.）
The phrase “j’aimerais” is a polite and softened way of saying “I would like to…”.
If you are a tourist or staying short-term, it is helpful to ask whether visitors can use the facility.
- Est-ce qu’elle est ouverte pour les visiteurs ?
（Is it open to visitors?）
2. Confirming the Fees and Usage Options
Many gyms offer daily passes (pass journalier) in addition to monthly memberships.
- Vous pouvez acheter un pass journalier à l’accueil.
（You can purchase a day pass at the reception desk.）
If you want to know the fee, use:
- Pourriez-vous me dire combien coûte l’accès à la salle ?
（Could you tell me how much it costs to use the gym?）
The expression “l’accès à la salle” refers to the facility usage fee.
The pattern “combien coûte ～ ?” (How much is ～?) is useful in many situations.
3. Asking About the Available Equipment
Each gym differs in the types of equipment provided, so checking what is available will help you decide whether the facility meets your needs.
- Quels équipements sont disponibles ?
（What equipment is available?）
Useful gym-related vocabulary:
- machines de musculation
→ weight-training machines - tapis de course
→ treadmills - espace pour les étirements
→ stretching area
You can also ask:
- Est-ce qu’il y a des cours de fitness ?
（Do you offer fitness classes?）
The word “cours” is widely used for lessons such as sports, yoga, and other activities.
4. Confirming the Availability of Lockers or Storage Space
A common concern when using a gym is where to store your belongings.
- Y a-t-il des casiers où je peux laisser mes affaires ?
（Are there lockers where I can leave my belongings?）
The word “casiers” (lockers) appears frequently in sports facilities.
The example sentence includes “cadenas” (padlock), which many gyms require users to bring themselves.
- Il vous faudra un cadenas.
（You will need a padlock.）
If you do not have one, you may need to purchase it. Some gyms sell them at the reception.
- Est-ce que vous en vendez à l’accueil ?
（Do you sell them at the reception?）
5. Asking About the Location of the Changing Rooms and Showers
Before starting your workout, it is helpful to know where the changing rooms and showers are located.
- Où se trouvent les vestiaires et les douches ?
（Where are the changing rooms and showers?）
Directional phrases are also useful if you are guided:
- Les vestiaires sont au fond du couloir, à gauche.
（The changing rooms are at the end of the hallway, on the left.）
The expression “au fond du couloir” means “at the end of the hallway,” and “à gauche” means “on the left”—both common phrases used when giving directions.
Summary
- J’aimerais utiliser la salle de sport.
→ Expression used to say you would like to use the gym. - Quels équipements sont disponibles ?
→ Useful when asking what equipment is available. - Y a-t-il des casiers ? / Il vous faudra un cadenas.
→ Used to ask about lockers and whether a padlock is required. - Où se trouvent les vestiaires / les douches ?
→ Basic expressions to ask for the location of the changing rooms and showers.
