- 1RM
- One-rep max: the most you can lift once with good form.
- AMRAP
- As many reps as possible.
- BMR
- Basal metabolic rate: energy used at rest.
- BMI
- Body mass index: weight ÷ height².
- Calorie deficit
- Eating less energy than you use.
- Compound exercise
- A move using several joints, like a squat.
- Concentric
- The lifting phase of a rep.
- Deload
- A planned easier week.
- DOMS
- Delayed-onset muscle soreness, 1–3 days after training.
- Eccentric
- The lowering phase of a rep.
- Fibre
- Plant carbohydrate that aids digestion and fullness.
- GLP-1
- A gut hormone; also a class of prescription weight-loss and diabetes medicines.
- Hinge
- Bending at the hips with a long spine.
- HIIT
- High-intensity interval training.
- Hypertrophy
- Muscle growth.
- Isometric
- Holding a position without moving, like a plank.
- Macros
- Protein, carbohydrate and fat.
- MET
- A unit of exercise intensity relative to rest.
- Mobility
- Moving a joint actively through its range.
- NEAT
- Non-exercise activity: steps, chores, fidgeting.
- Progressive overload
- Gradually increasing training demand.
- Protein
- Macro that builds and repairs tissue.
- Recomp
- Losing fat and gaining muscle at the same time.
- Regression
- An easier version of an exercise.
- Rep
- One complete movement.
- RIR
- Reps in reserve: reps you could still do.
- RPE
- Rate of perceived exertion, 1–10.
- Sarcopenia
- Age-related loss of muscle mass and strength.
- Set
- A group of reps done in a row.
- Superset
- Two exercises back to back.
- Synergist
- A muscle that helps the main mover.
- TDEE
- Total daily energy expenditure.
- Tempo
- Speed of each phase of a rep, e.g. 3-1-1.
- Volume
- Sets × reps (× weight).
- VO2 max
- The most oxygen your body can use; an aerobic fitness marker.
- Warm-up
- Easy activity that prepares the body.
- Work capacity
- How much training you can do and recover from.
- Zone 2
- Easy aerobic effort where you can still talk.
Do this today
Learn three terms today: RPE, RIR and progressive overload. Use them to log your next workout.
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Questions people ask
What does RPE mean?
Rate of perceived exertion, a 1–10 effort scale.
Sources
- American College of Sports Medicine. Progression models in resistance training for healthy adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc, 2009. Checked October 23, 2026.
- U.S. HHS. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition (2018). Checked October 23, 2026.
Education only. Not medical advice. Confirm with your clinician.
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