Starting a fitness journey can be daunting, especially when you’re first exposed to terminology that’s foreign to you. With that said, familiarizing yourself with the vocabularies used in a gym setting will go a long way in helping you achieve your fitness goals. Here’s a beginner’s guide to fitness vocabulary that will help you navigate the gym with ease.
Cardio is short for cardiovascular exercises, which involves activities that get your heart rate up and pump oxygenated blood to your muscles. Common forms of cardio include running, cycling, and swimming.
Resistance training involves the use of weights or machines to build strength and muscle mass. Examples of resistance training exercises include weightlifting, squats, and lunges.
HIIT, or high-intensity interval training, is a form of cardio that involves alternating between periods of high-intensity exercises and rest or low-intensity exercises. For instance, you could sprint for 30 seconds, then walk for a minute before sprinting again.
Reps are short for repetitions, which refers to the number of times you perform a specific exercise. For instance, if you did 10 bicep curls, you’ve completed 10 reps.
Sets refer to the number of times you repeat a certain number of reps. For example, if you did 3 sets of 10 reps for bicep curls, you completed 30 bicep curls total.
A: Learning the gym’s vocabulary helps you understand instructions from a trainer or other gym-goers. Plus, it assists you in developing a personal workout strategy that will help you reach your fitness goals.
A: DOMS stands for delayed onset muscle soreness. It describes the soreness or stiffness you feel within 24 to 48 hours after a workout, especially if it’s your first time doing the exercise. DOMS is part of the muscle-rebuilding process, and it’s nothing to worry about. But if you’re in severe pain, you should rest or consult with your doctor.
A: A superset involves performing two exercises without rest in between them. For instance, you could do 10 reps of tricep dips and follow it up with 10 reps of push-ups without stopping in between. That’s one superset.
A: Free weights, such as dumbbells and barbells, require more stabilization and control from you as you lift them, while machines offer more stability and assistance. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, and it’s up to you to choose which one you prefer based on your fitness goals.
