Old Exercise Machine Gets Boost From Lady Gaga, LeBron James

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Materials Daily News

Intermediate

Exercise 1

Vocabulary

boost

Noun

buːst

an action or event that helps something to become better

The festival has been a big boost for the local economy.

fan

Noun

fæn

a person who admires and supports someone/something

Madonna has lots of fans.

comeback

Noun

ˈkʌmˌbæk

a period when someone/something becomes successful and popular again

70s music has been making a comeback.

invent

Verb

ɪnˈvɛnt

to create or design something for the first time

The telephone was invented in the 19th century.

Scientists are inventing new computer technology every day.

Someone needs to invent a better tool for doing this work.

This company invented a car that drives by itself.

It is not Galileo Galilei who invented the telescope.

Thomas Edison invented the light bulb in 1879.

step

Verb

stɛp

put one foot in front of the other foot

You'd better step carefully.

The sign says don't step on the grass.

He stepped forward when his name was called.

Everyone cheered when she stepped onto the stage.

climb

Verb

klaɪm

to go up a mountain, hill, staircase, etc.

He climbed to the top of the rock.

She's slowly climbing to the top of the company.

hang

Verb

hæŋ

to attach or be attached at the top with the lower part free or loose

I hung my robe on the door.

The pans are hanging from the wall.

rise

Verb

raɪz

become higher

The temperature is rising.

The price of gasoline is rising.

Sea levels have been rising over the last decade or so.

The number of working mothers has risen due to the bad economy.

Exercise 2

Article

AI Generated Audio––:–– / ––:––

Old Exercise Machine Gets Boost From Lady Gaga, LeBron James

If you are a fan of Lady Gaga or the NBA, you may have heard about an old piece of exercise equipment that is making a comeback.

It is called the VersaClimber.

It was invented in 1981. It is a combination of a stepper and climber. It involves moving your arms and legs. It looks like a device you might hang clothes on, but it is really for exercise.

It is not very common to see people using a VersaClimber at gyms. It is not as popular as other workout machines.

Lady Gaga talked about using the VersaClimber to get ready for her energetic halftime performance at the Super Bowl earlier this year.

LeBron James, who plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball team, put up a video of himself using a VersaClimber last summer.

The machine seems to work. Viewers were impressed with Lady Gaga’s show at the Super Bowl. And the Cleveland Cavaliers have done well in this year’s NBA playoffs.

The magazine Men’s Fitness published an article about the VersaClimber earlier this year. It said the machine provides one of the best workouts for weight loss.

Brett Collins works for VersaClimber. He said the machine was at its most popular about 30 years ago.

But its popularity is rising once again. Now, some gyms are even offering VersaClimber classes for their members.

LeBron James

Exercise 3

Questions

What is VersaClimber?

When was VersaClimber invented?

Thanks to whom is VersaClimber making a comeback?

When was VersaClimber most popular?

Exercise 4

Discussion

What do you think about the VersaClimber?

Would you be interested in trying it out? Why? Why not?

Do you think the VersaClimber would have made a comeback were it not for Lady Gaga and LeBron James? Why? Why not?

Have you ever listened to Lady Gaga's music? If so, are you a fan? If not, why not?

Is basketball popular in your country? If so, have you ever watched an NBA game? If not, what is the most popular sport in your country? Why?

Exercise 5

Further Discussion

Do you think that workout machines are necessary for getting into shape? Why? Why not?

Do you think it's better to exercise at the gym or outdoors? Why?

What do you think is the best type of exercise? Why?

Do you prefer to exercise alone or with other people? Why?

Do you think that people nowadays don't get enough exercise? Why? Why not?

Exercises for Further Self-Study

These self-study exercises are optional and should be carried out after the lesson has finished.

Exercise 6

Sentence Building

Write at least one sentence for each of the words in Exercise 1: Vocabulary. Begin by making sure you understand the definition of each word. Use the example sentences as a guide if you are unable to think of a sentence. Practice reading your sentences out loud.

Exercise 7

Summary

Make a brief summary of the article. Focus on the main topic and consider which pieces of information are most important. Make sure you include details such as what the article is about, who is mentioned in it, where and when the events took place, and also how and why they happened.

Parts of this lesson are based on:

An article by Voice of America.