Can you learn Spanish while you run?

We get a lot of questions about learning Spanish while running. These days, it’s hard to find time to do the dishes and vacuum the rugs, let alone teach yourself a new skill that potentially requires hours of work. You need to find a way to practice without taking additional hours out of your day. That’s why we’ve recommended ways of learning Spanish while driving. But, what is some otherwise idle time that could be taken advantage of?

What about learning Spanish while working out? Is it possible?

All you will need is a smartphone or similar mobile device that you can carry with you, and has a headphone jack. If you’re like most people, you probably already use headphones while you exercise. So, all you will have to do is download one of these language learning resources and replace your usual workout listening for a few sessions a week.

How to learn Spanish while you run

If you’re looking to learn to speak Spanish, but are crunched for time, check out these methods of learning Spanish while running:

How to learn Spanish while running

#1 Listen to Spanish podcasts while you run

This is a popular method of learning Spanish while exercising for several reasons. Firstly, you can select podcasts by duration, picking the exact length podcast that you will be running. Not only will this motivate you to finish your run, but you can gradually increase the length of the podcast that you select and increase your cardiovascular endurance while you learn! Secondly, you can find a podcast for all language skill levels. There are very basic introductory Spanish lessons with English/Spanish word pairings all the way up to more complex programs with conversational Spanish between native speakers. Finally, you can keep yourself engaged in learning by seeking podcasts that match your interests.

#2 Listen to Spanish music while you run

You can still listen to some inspiring pump up jams while you exercise, just select a few playlists of music with Spanish lyrics. This method works best if you have at least some rudimentary Spanish knowledge, which will provide context for you to work off of. If you’re just getting started, you may be better off skipping this step until you have a foundation of basic Spanish vocabulary.

If anything, listening to Spanish music while you run will at least have the effect of keeping you interested in your language learning journey. Furthermore, it will make you look forward to your next lesson after your workout has ended.

#3 Listen to a Spanish audiobook while you run

Once you have accrued some vocabulary, you may want to listen to some longer format Spanish stories to keep yourself engaged and interested over a few workout sessions. Spanish audiobooks are great for language learning while running because they will give you something to focus your attention on, and take your mind off your aching muscles!

***Check out our list of the 25 best FREE Spanish audiobooks for beginners.***

You can get a free trial of Audible by Amazon.com using this link. Audible has thousands and thousands of Spanish audiobooks to listen to while you run, for all ages and language abilities.

#4 Use a hands-free, audio-only Spanish learning app while you run

Many Spanish language learning apps incorporate visual cues and user input in the form of matching, answering questions, labeling, etc. While this can be beneficial for language acquisition, it does not exactly lend itself to learning while you run. Luckily, there are plenty of language apps which work brilliantly without the use of visual aids. These are perfect for honing your Spanish skills while you work out.

If you are willing and able to talk while you run (and don’t care about passersby thinking that you are talking to yourself), you can try out Babbel. Babbel is a Spanish language learning app with a patented speech recognition technology that helps get your pronunciation perfect.

Use this link for 25% off Babbel’s premium language learning app. Results are guaranteed, or your money back, and you can cancel anytime.

Exercise your brain while you exercise your body, by practicing Spanish while out for a run or on a treadmill.

Remember, learning a language can be extremely time-consuming. This is why it is critical to find a way to seamlessly integrate your drills into other areas of your life, like running. Learning Spanish while exercising is a fantastic way to practice without investing any additional time out of your day.

As an added bonus, research indicates that as little as 30 minutes of exercise a day has the potential to increase the plasticity of the brain. Neuroplasticity is the name for the brain’s malleability and is the reason why young kids learn languages so much faster than adults. Some researchers even believe that your brain retains more information when it is well oxygenated, such as during strenuous exercise. Keep your brain nimble and learn Spanish faster by practicing while you run, every day!

We hope you have found this guide on how to learn Spanish while running useful! Please sign up for our Word-A-Day email for vocabulary and more exclusive language learning tips and tricks.

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