Glossary of Gym Terms


A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


A

ABDUCTION
Movement away from the mid-line of the body. I.e. Lateral Raises
ADDUCTION
Movement toward the mid-line of body. I.e. Horizontal Flys
ADIPOSE TISSUE
The medical term for fat tissue.
AEROBIC
A low-intensity, sustained activity that relies on oxygen for energy. Aerobic activity builds endurance, burns fat and conditions the cardiovascular system. To attain an aerobic effect you must increase your heart rate to 60-80 percent of your maximum heart rate, and maintain that for at least 20 minutes. Examples of aerobic exercise include running, brisk walking, bicycling, swimming and aerobic Step Classes, Spin Classes.
AGONISTS
The muscle being exercised.
ANABOLIC
Muscle building.
ANCILLARY MUSCLES
Muscles that assist other muscles and joints in compound movements.
ANAEROBIC
High-intensity exercise that burns glycogen for energy, instead of oxygen. Anaerobic exercise creates a temporary oxygen debt by consuming more oxygen than the body can supply. An example of anaerobic exercise includes power-lifting and sprinting.
ANTAGONIST
The opposing muscle as it acts in contrast to the agonist.
ANTERIOR
Front
ASSISTORS
Help the Agonist muscle doing the work.

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B

BILATERAL
Both sides
BMR
Basal metabolic rate. The number of calories consumed by the body while at rest. It is measured by the rate at which heat is given off, and is expressed in calories per hour per square meter of skin surface.
BURN
This is a feeling that you experience while performing higher rep sets. It literally feels like the muscles are on fire. It's not harmful, just an increase in lactic acid build up.

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C

CARDIO
Refers to doing some type of Cardiovascular Training, I.e. StairMaster.
CATABOLIC
Muscle devouring. A catabolic state would indicate that your muscle tissue is metabolizing itself. This occurs from not consuming sufficient protein in your diet or a result of Overtraining.
CUT
This refers to being lean and having a low level of body fat, but not anything close to being Ripped.
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E

EXTENSION
Increasing joint angle. I.e. Triceps Extension
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F

FLEXION
Decreasing joint angle. I.e. Biceps Curl
FORCED REPS
Additional repetitions of an exercise performed with the help of a partner when you're unable to do any more reps on your own.
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H

HYDROGENATED FAT
Unsaturated converted chemically to Saturated Regular Margarine
HYPERTROPHY
The increase in size of the muscle cells as a result of high-intensity weight training, proper nutrition and rest.
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I

INFERIOR
Lower
ISOKINETIC CONTRACTION
Varying tension and length.
ISOMETRIC
Muscle tension and muscle length remain constant.
ISOTONIC CONTRACTION
Muscle tension remains constant and muscle length varies.
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J

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K

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L

LATERAL
Outside
LIGAMENTS
Fibrous tissue that connects bones.
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M

MAXIMUM HEART RATE
The fastest rate at which your heart should beat during exercise. To find your maximum rate, subtract your age from 220.
MEDIAL
Inside
MONOSATURATED FAT
No effect on blood cholesterol. Found in Canola, olive, peanut oils
MUSCLE CONFUSION
A technique to counteract the cessation of growth that occurs when muscles adapt to the training demands placed upon them. To keep the body growing and getting stronger, a bodybuilder needs to vary their sets, reps, rest, weight used and exercise angles during each workout.
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N

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O

OVERTRAINING
Not allowing an adequate amount of rest before training a body part again. 72 -96 hours is recommended for resistance training.
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P

POLYMETRIC TRAINING
Using movements that are similar to the type of movement that would be done in a particular sport or activity to improve performance.
POLYUNSATURATED FAT
Lowers blood cholesterol. Found in Safflower, corn, soy, sunflower, and fish oils.
POSTERIOR
Back
PRONATION
To turn or rotate the palm downward. I.E if your right hand is palm facing up and you rotate it to a palm facing down position; that's pronation.
PRONE
Face down
PUMP
The look and feeling a bodybuilder experiences when his/her muscles engorge with blood as the result of intense exercise.
PYRAMIDING
The act of increasing your poundage while decreasing your reps on successive sets.
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R

REPS
This is a term that refers to the number of repetitions performed without stopping.
RIPPED
This is when you've achieved a very low level of body fat. All professional bodybuilders get ripped prior to a competition.
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S

SATURATED FAT
Solid at room temperature. Raises blood cholesterol. Found in animal sources, coconut, palm oil
SET
When you perform a given number of reps, then stop to rest, that's a set.
SHREDDED
Same as Ripped.
STABILIZER MUSCLES
Hold a joint in place so that the exercise may be performed.
STICKING POINT
It is a point in the range of motion of a rep that you stall, needing assistance to get past that point.
SUPERIOR
Upper
SUPINATION
Rotating the palm upward. This technique is used when performing concentration curls. In order to get a peak muscular contraction you supinate your wrist at the top of the movement.
SUPINE
Face up
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T

TENDONS
Fibrous tissue that attach muscle to bone.
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U

UNILATERAL
One side
UNSATURATED FAT
Liquid at room temperature. Obtained from plant sources.
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V

VASCULARITY
The visibility of veins on a bodybuilder as a result of exercise and low bodyfat.
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W

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X

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Y

YAMS
Slang term for very ugly feet.
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Z

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