Gym Lingo Explained

If you are new to the gym, the lingo used can often seem like another language.

To help simplify this I have listed below some of the terms our trainers often use at the gym and on our workout plans.

A-Z of Gym Lingo & Abbreviations

• 1RM: One-Rep Max (maximum weight you can lift in a single rep)

• AMRAP: As Many Reps (or Rounds) As Possible

• BB: Barbell

• BPM: Beats Per Minute (heart rate)

• BP: Bench Press

• BSQ: Back Squat

• BULKING: Gaining muscle mass, often accompanied by some fat gain

• BW: Bodyweight

• CHEAT DAY: A day to indulge in foods outside of a strict diet plan

• CIRCUIT: A series of exercises performed one after another with minimal rest

• COMPOUND EXERCISE: An exercise that targets multiple muscle groups

• CUTTING: Reducing body fat while maintaining muscle

• DB: Dumbbell

• DL: Deadlift

• DOMS: Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness

• DROP SET: Reducing the weight mid-set and continuing reps

• EMOM: Every Minute On the Minute

• FAILURE: Lifting until you cannot complete another rep with the proper form

• FSQ: Front Squat

• GAINS: Muscle growth or fitness improvement

• GIANT SET: Performing three or more exercises consecutively

• HALF REP: A rep done with a half range of motion

• HIIT: High-Intensity Interval Training

• HR: Heart Rate

• HYPERTROPHY: Exercises to grow muscle over strength

• ISOLATION EXERCISE: An exercise that targets a single muscle group

• KB: Kettlebell

• MACROS: Macronutrients (Protein, Carbs, Fats)

• OHP: Overhead Press

• PACE: Speed or rate of exercise, often in running or cycling

• PB: Personal Best

• PLATEAU: A point where progress slows or stops

• PR: Personal Record (heaviest lift, fastest time, etc.)

• PUMP: The temporary swelling of muscles from blood flow during exercise

• RDL: Romanian Deadlift

• REP: Repetition, a single complete movement of an exercise

• RM: Repetition Maximum

• ROM: Range of Motion

• RPE: Rate of Perceived Exertion

• SET: A group of repetitions performed consecutively

• SHREDDED: Extremely lean and muscular appearance

• SPOT: Assistance during a lift

• SUPERSET: Performing two exercises back-to-back without rest

• TABATA: A form of HIIT: 20 seconds work, 10 seconds rest, 8 rounds

• WOD: Workout of the Day (popular in CrossFit)

At ATP Fitness Felixstowe all of our workouts are full explained and demonstrated.

However, no question is a stupid question. If you attend one of our classes and you don't understand something please just ask a member of our team and they will happily explain everything you need to know.