全然運動する

To match your translation of 'not at all,' you must change する to its negative form しない. So, you will usually say 全然運動しない. You can use it as a standalone sentence. You can also add it to a longer explanation about your health. If you are talking to a boss, use 全然運動しません. For friends, 全然運動しない is perfect. It is a very flexible building block for conversation.

Use this when a friend asks if you want to go for a run. It is great for doctor visits when they ask about your habits. You can use it when you feel tired after walking up one flight of stairs. It is also a common topic for New Year's resolutions that failed. Use it whenever you want to be relatable about being a bit lazy. It creates an instant bond over shared human struggle.

Do not use this if you actually walk a lot or go to the gym once a week. Japanese speakers take 全然 literally in this context. If you do a little bit, use あまり運動しない instead. Also, avoid saying this if you are applying for a job as a fitness instructor. That might be a bit too much honesty! Finally, don't use it in very formal ceremonies where personal habits aren't the focus.

Japan has a deep culture of 'Radio Calisthenics' (ラジオ体操) and walking. Many people walk thousands of steps just commuting to work. Because of this, saying you do 'zero' exercise is a significant statement. It often implies you aren't even doing the basic stretches most people do. However, modern office life in Tokyo makes this a very relatable problem. Admitting you don't exercise is often a way to show humility.

If you want to say you 'can't' exercise, use 全然運動できない. If you want to sound more casual, just say 全然運動してない. For a bit of emphasis, you can add 最近 (saikin) at the start. This means 'Recently, I haven't been exercising at all.' You might also hear 全然ダメ (zenzen dame) if someone asks about their fitness progress. It all points back to that relatable zero-percent effort.