A
As Many Reps As Possible (AMRAP)
AMRAP stands for "As Many Rounds As Possible". It is a type of workout that challenges participants to complete a set number of exercises in a given amount of time. The goal of AMRAP is to complete as many rounds of the exercises as possible within the time allotted. AMRAP workouts are a great way to test your endurance, strength, and cardiovascular capacity. Read More.
B
Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)
BMR stands for Basal Metabolic Rate. It is an estimate of how many calories a person burns at rest. BMR is used as a measure of an individual's metabolic rate and can help in setting calorie intake goals. Read More.
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Bulk
C
Circuit Training
Circuit training is an exercise program that combines strength training and cardiovascular exercises into one workout. In circuit training, you move from one exercise to the next with little to no rest in between. The exercises typically target different muscle groups and can include bodyweight exercises, strength training exercises, and aerobic exercises. Circuit training is a great way to get a full-body workout in a short amount of time.
Compound Movement
Concentric
Cut
D
Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)
DOMS stands for Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, which is the pain and stiffness that can occur in the muscles several hours to days after an intense or unaccustomed exercise. Ever had your butt kicked during a personal training session or group fitness class to the point where you couldn't walk or lift your arms? To help relieve DOMS, it is recommended to do light exercise, such as walking, cycling, and swimming, to help reduce the stiffness and pain. Stretching and foam rolling can also help. Additionally, proper nutrition, hydration, and fitness supplements can help ease discomfort.
Drop Set
E
Eccentric
Eccentric refers to the phase of the exercise where the muscle is actively lengthening and resisting the weight, while concentric refers to the phase of the exercise where the muscle is actively contracting and shortening. For example, during a bicep curl, the concentric phase is when you are lifting the weight up, while the eccentric phase is when you are lowering the weight down. Both types are found in most exercises. Concentric movements tend to burn more calories while performing the movement, whereas eccentric movements burn calories in the following hours and days. They balance one another out for optimal calorie and fat burning, and muscle building.
H
High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
HIIT stands for High Intensity Interval Training. It is a type of workout that alternates between periods of intense activity and rest. HIIT is used to maximize calorie burn, increase aerobic capacity and improve overall fitness. efficient way to burn calories and improve fitness levels. HIIT is extremely beneficial for cardiovascular health and mobility.
Hypertrophy
I
Interval Training
Interval training is a form of exercise that involves alternating periods of high-intensity and low-intensity exercise. The high-intensity exercise intervals are typically performed at near maximum effort for a short period (typically around 30 seconds to two minutes), followed by a low-intensity exercise interval of equal or slightly greater duration. Interval training is commonly used in cardiovascular and aerobic fitness training, and has been shown to be effective in improving athletic performance and overall fitness levels.
Isolation Movement
M
Macronutrients (Macros)
Macros is short for macronutrients. Macronutrients are your carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. They are nutrients that your body needs in order to produce energy. They are the building blocks to lose fat, gain lean muscle mass, and overall stay healthy. Proper nutrition is key!
Many gym goers measure how many macronutrients they are consuming in grams, in order to achieve their desired results. If you are looking to build muscle, you will have to eat a specific amount of carbs, protein, and fat. Many people take InBody Scans to see their body composition to better assess their goals and how much of each macro they should consume.
Maxing Out
N
Negatives
In fitness, "negatives" refers to the eccentric part of a movement, or the lowering phase. This is when a muscle is under tension as it lengthens, often referred to as the "negative" part of a lift. Examples of negatives include the lowering of a weight during a bicep curl or the descent of the body while performing a squat. It is the eccentric part of an exercise.
P
Personal Record (PR)
PR stands for personal record, which is the highest level of performance a person has achieved in a particular exercise or activity. For example, if you ran a 5K race in 20 minutes, that would be your personal record. If you bench-pressed 135 lbs at 6 reps at most, that would be another personal record.
Personal Trainer (PT)
Physical Therapy (PT)
Plateau
Posterior Chain
Progressive Overload
R
Range of Motion (ROM)
ROM stands for Range of Motion. This is the extent or limit your joint can move within a particular exercise. It is the capability of your joint. You want to make sure you always have proper form while working out.
Reps
S
Sets
Reps is short for repetitions, which is a single time you perform the exercise. Sets are groups of repetitions. If an exercise says to do 3 sets with 12 reps, it means that you will perform 12 individual repetitions of the exercise. You would perform this 3x total, aka 3 sets. Make sure to take a rest between sets. For example, 12 reps, rest, 12 reps, rest, 12 reps, rest. See how you performed 12 reps, 3 times? Those are your 3 sets.
Spot
Superset
T
Tabata
Tabata is a type of high intensity interval training (HIIT) that consists of eight rounds of 20-second work intervals followed by 10-second rest intervals. The goal of Tabata is to work as hard as possible during the 20-second work periods, allowing for maximum intensity in a short amount of time. This type of training is great for improving aerobic and anaerobic capacity, boosting metabolism, and burning fat.
U
Unilateral Exercise
Unilateral exercises are exercises that use only one limb. Rather than bench pressing or squatting which uses two arms or two legs, unilateral exercises focus on one leg or arm at a time. This is beneficial because you get to train both sides of the body equally. Sometimes, without you even realizing it, your dominant limb will exert more strength and take over in bilateral exercises. This can cause a muscle imbalance. To avoid this, it is recommended to incorporate unilateral exercises into your workouts.
Until Failure
W
Work in
When someone asks to "Work in with you" at the gym, it means they want to share the equipment with you. Typically each of you will use the equipment in between each other's sets. You do your exercise, they use it while you rest, and so forth.