Close

Gym lingo 101: Learn 15 of the latest fitness terms to help boost your workouts

Date: Jul 10, 2023   

Want to be up with the latest lingo that you hear around the gym? This practical glossary will help you navigate your health and fitness journey with confidence and get the most out of your next training session.

It also helps to choose a gym with a welcoming, positive and supportive community so that you feel comfortable asking for help. Having dedicated staff, expert personal trainers and like-minded gym members by your side lets you focus on becoming a fitter, stronger and healthier version of yourself.

  1. 1RM: This abbreviation stands for One-Rep Max and refers to the maximum weight you can lift for a single repetition of an exercise. A true one-rep max should leave you feeling spent, with no energy for another repetition.
  1. Active Recovery: Explore the benefits of low-impact exercise to promote blood flow, flexibility and relaxation. Active recovery exercises help to support muscle recovery and overall physical rejuvenation so you can be ready for your next training session. Think of light aerobic exercises, such as walking, gentle yoga or a Reformer Pilates class.
  1. AMRAP: ‘As Many Reps As Possible’ refers to a high-intensity training workout where you push yourself to complete as many repetitions of an exercise as you can within a predetermined time frame, taking short rest breaks in between.
  1. Burnout Set: Performed at the end of a workout, burnout sets let you target the same muscle group you worked during the main session. The aim is to encourage muscle growth and involves using lighter weights to complete a high number of repetitions.
  1. DOMS: ‘Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness’, often experienced 24-72 hours after a workout, refers to the pain or stiffness you may feel, especially when trying a new training style or upping the intensity. Don’t worry – it’s a normal part of your fitness journey!
  1. EMOM: ‘Every Minute On the Minute’ is an interval training technique where the goal is to complete a set number of repetitions within one minute. You then rest for the remaining time until the next minute round starts, trying to beat the clock and earn more rest time. Go!
  1. Hypertrophy: This type of strength training is used to target specific muscle groups. Hypertrophy is often achieved by performing exercises that involve lifting moderate-to-heavy weights for a moderate number of repetitions. The focus is on challenging the muscles and causing them to adapt and grow in response to the stress placed upon them.
  1. Megaset: In this challenging training technique, a series of exercises is performed within a specified time without rest in between. A megaset combines multiple exercises back-to-back to create an intense workout.
  1. Metcon: Short for ‘metabolic conditioning’, this advanced, high-intensity workout style focuses on building overall fitness and conditioning by increasing heart rate and breathing rate. Combining strength-building exercises, cardiovascular movements and dynamic movements, metcon training aims to improve endurance, enhance metabolic efficiency and promote fat burning.
  1. Progressive Overload: This technique involves gradually increasing the stress placed on your body over time to optimise performance and stimulate muscle growth.
  1. Pyramid Training: Pyramid training involves structuring your sets and repetitions in a pyramid-like fashion to safely build strength. Starting with higher repetitions and lower weights, the aim is to gradually increase the weights while decreasing the number of repetitions as you progress.
  1. RPE: ‘Rate of Perceived Exertion’ is a subjective rating that measures the intensity of an exercise, ranging from one (effortless exercise) to 10 (maximum exertion). Use it to reflect on how you feel physically and mentally during an activity.
  1. Resistance Training: Resistance training is any form of exercise aimed at building muscle strength and endurance. It can include bodyweight exercises like calisthenics or weightlifting using equipment.
  1. Superset: This is when you alternate between two exercises with minimal or no rest in between to target similar or complementary muscle groups.
  1. IIFYM: Standing for ‘If It Fits Your Macros’ this is a concept commonly used in nutrition and fitness circles to track and meet specific macronutrient (protein, carbohydrates and fats) targets while allowing some flexibility in food choices.

And remember, if you’re not sure, just ask! Our staff and trainers are friendly and always there to help.

Tag List

Tag Cloud