"... I do this exercise."

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Odessa Dawn

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SoothingDave

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Are you asking about different ways to use the word "exercise" or the word "do"?
 

emsr2d2

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"Take exercise" is the all-encompassing generic term which includes any form of exercise.
"Do [this] exercise" in the example you gave refers to the weight-lifting exercise already mentioned.

However, sometimes the two are almost interchangeable:

How much exercise do you take on a daily basis?
How much exercise do you do on a daily basis?
Did you do a lot of exercise last week?
Did you take a lot of exercise last week?

We also say "do exercises" when talking about things like stretching, star jumps, leg lifts etc and we cannot use "take" instead in this context.

I do exercises every morning before breakfast.

We use "do" with certain sports and "take" is never appropriate:

I do karate once a week.
I do judo with a friend.
 

SoothingDave

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I have never heard anyone "take" exercise. Must be another AmE/BrE difference.

I would either "do exercises" or simply use "exercise" as a verb. My doctor told me I need to exercise more. I told my daughter not to bother me when I'm doing my exercises.
 

emsr2d2

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I have never heard anyone "take" exercise. Must be another AmE/BrE difference.

I would either "do exercises" or simply use "exercise" as a verb. My doctor told me I need to exercise more. I told my daughter not to bother me when I'm doing my exercises.

Sounds like another difference indeed. The general advice for health here is "People should take more exercise".
 
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