Decoding some of the Latest Fitness Lingo
If you’re new to the world of fitness, you might feel like you need a dictionary just to keep up with all the lingo. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
Here’s a breakdown of some of the most popular fitness buzzwords and what they really mean.
AMRAP: As Many Rounds As Possible, this term is often used in circuit and CrossFit workouts, where the goal is to complete as many rounds of a set of exercises as you can within a specified time frame.
BMR: Basal Metabolic Rate, which is the number of calories your body burns just to keep you alive and functioning. Your BMR is based on factors such as your age, height, weight, and sex.
DOMS: Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, which is the muscle soreness you feel a day or two after a particularly intense workout. DOMS is a sign that your muscles are repairing and growing, but it can also be uncomfortable!
EPOC: Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption, which is the amount of oxygen your body continues to consume after you’ve finished exercising. EPOC is thought to help increase the number of calories you burn even after you’ve stopped exercising.
HIIT: High-Intensity Interval Training, which is a type of workout that alternates between high-intensity bursts of exercise and periods of rest. HIIT is thought to be more effective at burning fat and improving fitness than steady-state cardio.
NEAT: Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis, which is the energy you burn through non-exercise activities like walking, standing, and even fidgeting. NEAT can have a big impact on your overall energy expenditure, so it’s important to be mindful of how much you’re moving throughout the day.
ROM: Range of Motion, which is the distance your joints can move in a particular direction. Stretching and mobility exercises are important for maintaining good ROM and preventing injury.
RPE: Rate of Perceived Exertion, which is a subjective measure of how hard you feel like you’re working during a workout. RPE can be a useful tool for gauging the intensity of your workout and making sure you’re not pushing yourself too hard.
TRX: Refers to the TRX Suspension Trainer, which is a type of workout equipment that uses your body weight and gravity to provide resistance. TRX workouts are thought to be effective for building strength and improving stability.
WOD: Workout of the Day, which is a term used in CrossFit to refer to the daily workout plan to follow.
SUPERSET: A set of two exercises that are performed back to back, with little to no rest in between.
COMPOUND EXERCISE: An exercise that targets multiple muscle groups, such as the bench press, squat, and deadlift. The opposite of an isolation exercise.
