Fitness Glossary

Aerobic Exercise: any moderately intense exercise lasting more than 20 minutes. Activities include running, swimming, elliptical use, dancing, etc.

Anaerobic Exercise: high-intensity exercise whereby the body uses more oxygen in the muscles that it can supply. Examples of this include weight lifting and sprinting.

Body Building: a type of exercise where strength training is combined with nutritional and dietary practices to enhance the appearance of the body. Burn: a slang term used to describe the feeling associated with muscle fatigue and oxygen loss, typically occurring after an intense workout. Cool-down: a slang term referring to a low-intensity exercise performed at the end of a high-intensity exercise. This allows the body to adjust to the state of rest. Cross Training: participating in two or more sports or activities to achieve a more advanced workout.

Extension: an exercise where the goal is to fully straighten the joints. For example, doing a bench press and completely straightening the arms.

Form: this refers to the proper biomechanical use of the body and fitness equipment. An example of improper form is someone doing a bench-press and letting the weight bar hit them on the neck or chest.

Lean Body Mass: includes all body mass except fat mass, i.e. muscle, bone, water, organs.

Lifter: a slang term referring to someone who does regular weight lifting.

Passive Stretching: the practice of stretching with a partner, allowing for a greater range of motion and improved overall flexibility.

Primary Exercise: an exercise that focuses on the goals that the practitioner wants to achieve. For instance, primary exercises for a runner are leg lifts and using a treadmill.

Rep: a slang term referring to a single repetition of an exercise. For example, curling a bar bell through the entire range of motion is one rep.

Spotter: a term referring to a person who assists another during an activity that may require assistance. Many weight lifters lift weights that slowly become too heavy, due to muscle fatigue. During these times a spotter is necessary for assistance.

Warm Up: the process of acclimating the body to a workout. The purpose of this is to increase blood flow and open up lung capillaries. Examples may include jumping rope, light jogging, and swimming.