The health and fitness industry is full of buzzwords that are not always easy to understand. We use these terms because sometimes (but not all) of the acronyms are quicker to say or take up less space when writing a program!
Fitness and health is for everyone so here’s a jargon buster guide.
I want your input so if you have any more to add then please let me know. Whether it’s one that you know the meaning of or one that you’ve heard someone say and are thinking to yourself what the heck does that mean? I’ll keep coming back to update this list.
| Term | Meaning | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1RM | 1 Rep Maximum | The maximum weight that a person is able to lift on a particular exercise for just 1 repetition |
| AMRAP | As Many Rounds As Possible | A [mainly] Crossfit term, a type of workout, a circuit that has a fixed time and structure. You have to try and complete circuit as many times as you can before the time is up – Beware of letting your form slip as your competitive spirit takes over! |
| BCAAs | Branch Chain Amino Acids | These are amino acids that benefit muscle growth |
| BMI | Body Mass Index | A measure of a person’s body fat based on their weight in relation to their height. The formula is: weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. NHS BMI calculator |
| BMR | Basal Metabolic Rate | The amount of energy used while at rest (not doing anything) |
| BP | Blood Pressure | The pressure of the blood within the circulatory system, it’s a good indicator of heart health |
| BPM | Beats per Minute | Used in terms of measuring heart rate (as well as music). Sometimes, matching your pace to the beats of music can improve performance! |
| Carbs | Carbohydrates | An essential macronutrient, often demonised in the media – a fantastic source of fuel for the body |
| Concentric | The part of the exercise when the muscle is shortening eg: curling your arm up in a bicep curl. Opposite of Eccentric | |
| DOMS | Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness | The feeling of aching/soreness you get a day or 2 (or 3!) after a workout |
| Dynamic stretch | A stretch that you don’t hold for more than a couple of seconds – best used BEFORE a workout | |
| Eccentric | The part of the exercise when the muscle is lengthening eg: straightening your arm in a bicep curl. Opposite of Concentric | |
| EPOC | Excess Post-exercise Oxygen Consumption, sometimes called after-burn | The increased intake of oxygen following strenuous activity (leads to increased calorie burn) |
| Fartlek | “Speed play” | A Swedish term used to describe a form of interval training which does not have set times of distances, the person just “plays” with their speed during their workout as they see fit |
| Fat burning zone | A hotly contested phrase relating to working out at 55% to 70% of your maximum heartrate. This is supposedly the level of heartrate which is more conducive to a person using up fat stores rather that carbohydrates as fuel | |
| Form | The way a person executes a certain exercise. There can be good and bad form, if in doubt, ask a trainer to have a look for you to reduce chance of injury | |
| HIIT | High Intensity Interval Training | A type of interval training that relies on mixing bursts of high effort with recovery/rest time |
| HR | Heart Rate | The number of times your heart beats, usually measured as beats per minute – a way of measuring workout intensity |
| IF | Intermittent Fasting | A diet protocol based on not eating or restricting calories for certain amounts of time |
| Isometric | The part of an exercise or stretch where the muscle is engaged but not changing in length e.g. holding a plank | |
| Ladder workout | Where you perform one or more exercises with an ascending and descending repetition pattern. For example, 1 squat then rest, 2 squats then rest, 3 squats then rest up to 10 squats and then back down, 9 squats, 8 squats etc. | |
| LISS | Low Intensity Steady State | A type of cardio exercise where you maintain a low intensity over a set period of time |
| Macros | Macronutients | The main nutrients that make up a healthy diet. Broadly broken into 3 categories; Carbohydrates, proteins and fats. |
| Micronutrients | Vitamins and minerals | |
| NEAT | Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis | The energy we use when not doing “exercise”, eating or sleeping |
| PB | Personal Best | A result achieved by an individual that beats any of their past performances. “Tony beat his previous Personal Best” |
| PRs | Personal Records | Same as PB |
| RDA | Recommended Daily Allowance/Recommended Dietary Allowance | A quantity of a particular nutrient (or calorie) per day required for the maintenance of good health |
| Rep | Repetition | The number of moves you perform in order to complete a set |
| ROM | Range of Motion/Movement | The extent to which a joint(s) move during each repetition of an exercise |
| RPE | Rate of Perceived Exertion | A scale of 0-10 rating how tired you are when completing an exercise. It is a way of assessing effort without the need for heart rate monitors. 0 represents no exertion and 10 represents maximum effort |
| Set | The number of times you perform a number of repetitions in a row | |
| Static stretch | A stretch that you hold in position for 10+ seconds – best used AFTER a workout | |
| Tabata | A workout timing principle. 4 minute workout with 20 seconds effort and 10 seconds rest, repeated 8 times | |
| Tempo | The speed at which you perform an exercise | |
| TRX | Total Body Resistance Exercise | A piece of suspension training equipment, TRX is actually a brand, other suspension trainers are available. |
| TUT | Time under tension | The amount of time your muscle is actively engaged during an exercise |
| Weekend warrior | Someone who only participates in exercise/an activity in their spare time, usually at weekends | |
| WOD | Workout of the Day | A term used to describe a particular workout that will be being completed that day – often used in Crossfit gyms |