Gym terminology

Like any highly specialized subset of the population, gym-goers have developed a strange, sometimes exotic language around training.

• Rep - A single repetition of an exercise or movement.

• Set - A complete series of repetitions, done before taking a rest or moving on to something else.

• Superset - Two or more exercises done back to back with minimal or no rest between them.

• Giant set - Usually more than 3 exercises done back to back. Also called a circuit.

• AMRAP - As Many Reps As Possible. Can be until technical or muscular failure.

• Technical failure - The point of exhaustion in a set when you can not maintain good technique anymore.

• Muscular failure - The point of exhaustion in a set when you can not make your muscle move as desired anymore, even if technique is compromised.

• DOMS - Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness. Normal levels of pain, swelling, and tenderness that usually peak a day or two post workout.

• ROM - Range of Motion. The full range that your body goes through in a given movement.

• Eccentric - The portion of an exercise where you are lowering the weight with the help of gravity.

• Concentric - The portion of an exercise where you are contracting your muscle(s) to move the weight against gravity.

• Tempo - The speed of the repetition, marked as 3-0-1, where 3 is eccentric, 0 is a pause at the bottom of the ROM, and 1 which is the concentric portion.

• RIR - Reps in Reserve. The amount of repetitions that you believe you’re capable of before failure (technical or muscular.)

• Strict - Exercise technique that makes zero compromises. Perfect technique.

• Sloppy - Poor technique.

• Body English - Using momentum or non-targeted muscles to assist in an exercise.

• Antagonist supersets - Two exercises that target opposite muscles, eg: Biceps & Triceps, so that one muscle group rests while the other works.

• Pre-fatigue - Tiring out a muscle group so that it underperforms during a subsequent exercise, allowing another muscle group to do more work.

• Warm up - A 3-5 minute bout of exercise with the goal of literally warming up your body temperature. The colder you are, the longer you should warm up.

• Cool down - A period of purposeful movement or breathing, with the intention of calming the nervous system and signalling to your body that it can begin resting and repairing. Stretching is a wonderful cooldown activity.

• Dumbbells - Small weight loading implements meant to be held in one hand at a time.

• Barbells - A large bar for loading weight, held with both hands.