Athletes make up a large and passionate community, and they’ve come up with a dictionary-sized list of gym slang and fitness terms. Even if you have spent years in the gym, there are likely workout terms you don’t know yet.

Whether you’re just getting started improving your fitness or learning to talk to other seasoned gymgoers, our extensive list of important gym words and fitness slang will help you take on your next workout in confidence.

Gym/Fitness Terms

1RM (One Repetition Maximum): The maximum weight a person can lift for one repetition of a particular lift.

Active Recovery: A low-intensity dynamic stretch or exercise performed after a high-intensity workout designed to help to reduce muscle soreness and speed up the recovery process.

AMRAP (As Many Repetitions As Possible): A type of workout with the goal of performing as many repetitions of a particular exercise as possible. Also known as a burnout set.

Anabolic: The metabolic processes that build up and repair muscle tissues in the body.

Anaerobic Threshold: The point during exercise when the body can no longer produce enough energy using oxygen and switches to the anaerobic metabolism, which uses glucose.

Beats Per Minute (BPM): The number of times the heart beats in a minute. This measure of heart rate is used to monitor exertion and exercise intensity.

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR): The amount of energy (in calories) the body uses at rest to maintain basic functions such as breathing, circulation, and digestion, specifically measured in the morning after a fast.

Body Mass Index (BMI): A measure of body fat based on height and weight. 

Burnout Set: A single set of an exercise performed at the end of a workout, with the aim of fatiguing the muscles by repeating one set until no longer possible. Also known as an “AMRAP” set.

Catabolic: The metabolic processes that break down muscle tissue and fat in the body.

Concentric Muscle Contraction: When a muscle flexes and shortens during exercise, such as while raising a weight during a bicep curl.

Conditioning: The process of improving cardiovascular and muscular fitness through longer-duration exercise.

Cooldown: A low-intensity exercise performed at the end of a workout to gradually lower heart rate.

Core: The muscles of the midsection, including the abdominals, obliques, and lower back muscles.

Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS): Muscle soreness that occurs 24-72 hours after exercise, especially after high-intensity exercise or unfamiliar movements.

Dynamic Set: A weightlifting technique that involves performing a set of exercises with varying weights and repetitions to shock and fatigue the muscles.

Dynamic Warm-Up: A series of movements done before a full workout that increases heart rate, body temperature, and range of motion to prepare the body for exercise.

Eccentric Muscle Contraction When the muscle expands and lengthens during exercise, such as when lowering a weight during a bicep curl.

EMOM (Every Minute on the Minute): A workout in which a set is performed at the beginning of every minute, with the remaining time after completing it used for rest. This keeps your heart rate up without pushing past your limits.

Endurance: The body’s ability to sustain exercise even after reaching the point of fatigue.

Form: The technique and body alignment used during exercise.

Functional Moves: Exercises that mimic movements used in everyday life or sports, used to build applied strength.

Half Rep: An incomplete repetition of an exercise, usually due to fatigue or improper form.

Heart Rate: The rate at which the heart beats, typically measured in beats per minute. This is used to monitor the level of exertion.

Heart Rate Zones: A range of heart rates used to monitor exercise intensity and target specific fitness goals.

Incline: The elevation angle of exercise equipment such as a treadmill or bench.

Lactate Threshold: The point at which the body’s production of lactate exceeds the body’s ability to clear it from the system.

Plateau: When progress in fitness or strength seems to stall despite continued effort and training. Most gymgoers experience this at some point.

Post Workout: The period of time immediately after a workout, when the body is in a heightened state of recovery and repair.

Rest Day: A day off from exercise, intended to allow the body to rest and recover. Some athletes do stretches or light active recovery workouts.

Resistance: The amount of opposing force or weight working against a muscle group during an exercise or movement.

Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE): A measure of how hard an individual feels they're exercising. The RPE scale typically ranges from 0-10, with 0 being no exertion at all and 10 being the maximum exertion possible.

Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR): The amount of energy, in calories, that the body needs to maintain basic functions like breathing and digestion. This is similar to basal metabolic rate, but it doesn’t need to be measured after fasting.

ROM (Range of Motion): A joint’s level of movement during an exercise.

Set: A group of a specified number of repetitions of an exercise, typically followed by a rest period.

Spotting: Assisting with another athlete’s weightlifting exercise by providing support and safety in case they need help.

Stamina: The body’s ability to sustain exertion without experiencing fatigue.

Superset: Performing two sets back-to-back before a rest period.

Target Heart Rate: The heart rate range an athlete hopes to meet during exercise to achieve specific fitness goals.

Tempo: The speed at which an exercise is performed, often expressed as a count of seconds.

Tri-Set: Doing three sets back-to-back before resting.

VO2 Max: Short for maximal oxygen consumption. This is the maximum amount of oxygen your body can use during a workout.

Volume: The amount of weight moved throughout an individual rep or set, or the amount of exercise done throughout an entire workout or specific period of time.

Fitness Equipment

Barbell: A long bar that holds weighted plates secured by clips on either side. It’s used in various lifts, including bench presses, squats, deadlifts, and cleans.

Belt: A thick-strapped belt that wraps around the abdomen and back to provide support throughout an exercise.

Bench: A padded bench used for various seated or prone exercises and lifts.

Cables: A type of equipment that uses cables and pulleys attached to weights to provide resistance.

Chalk: A powdery substance weightlifters use to reduce moisture on their hands for a better grip.

Collars/Clips/Clamps: A device used to secure weight plates to a barbell, preventing them from sliding off during exercise.

Dumbbell: A handheld free weight used for strength training exercises.

Elliptical Machine: A cardio exercise machine that mimics the motion of walking, jogging, or running while reducing impacts on the joints since the user doesn't have to lift their feet. It typically has two pedals that move in an elliptical or oval-shaped pattern and two handlebars that move forward and backward.

Foam Roller: A cylindrical piece of hard foam used for self-massage to help relieve muscle tension and soreness.

Free Weights: Handheld weightlifting equipment that provides resistance without the use of machines or cables. Dumbbells, barbells, and kettlebells are the most common types.

Jump Rope: A rope with handles on each end. Athletes spin it in their hands and jump over it repeatedly for cardiovascular exercise and coordination training.

Kettlebell: A type of free weight that resembles a cannonball with a handle, used for strength and cardiovascular training.

Leg Press Machine: A weight training machine that targets lower body muscles like the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes. It typically includes a flat platform that the user pushes their feet against from a seated position.

Medicine Ball: A weighted ball often used to make bodyweight exercises more difficult, or used as a free weight by bouncing it or throwing it against a wall.

Plates: Disc-shaped weights with a hole in the center, designed to attach to a barbell or exercise machine. They’re usually made of metal and often coated in rubber or plastic.

Pull-Up Bar: A horizontal bar placed slightly above head height, attached to a sturdy, stable frame. Used for upper-body strength training exercises like pull-ups and chin-ups.

Resistance Band: A stretchable band used in resistance training exercises to improve strength and flexibility.

Rowing Machine: A strength and cardio exercise machine that simulates rowing a boat, engaging multiple muscle groups for a full-body workout. Typically has a sliding seat and handle attached to a cable or chain.

Smith Machine: A large piece of weightlifting equipment with a barbell attached to stabilizing poles and clips that allow athletes to safely lift heavier weights without a spotter.

Stability Ball: A large inflatable ball used for exercises that challenge core strength stability.

Stair Climber: A cardio exercise machine that simulates climbing stairs. It typically consists of an escalator-like set of revolving steps that the user ascends in a continuous motion.

Stationary Bike: A cardio exercise machine that mimics the experience of riding a bicycle without moving forward.

Treadmill: A cardio exercise machine that allows users to walk, jog, or run in place while a moving conveyor belt beneath them simulates forward movement.

Lifts/Workouts

Aerobic Exercise: Low- to moderate-exertion exercise that requires the use of oxygen to produce energy. Running, cycling, and swimming are examples of aerobic exercise.

Anaerobic Exercise: High-exertion exercise that uses glucose instead of oxygen to produce energy. Weightlifting and sprinting are examples of anaerobic exercise.

Body-Weight Exercise: Exercise that uses the body’s weight to produce resistance.

Boot Camp: A form of cross-training that combines high-intensity cardiovascular and strength training exercises into one workout.

Cardio: Short for cardiovascular exercise, any exercise that increases the heart rate into the target heart rate zone.

Circuit: A workout style involving moving from one exercise to the next with minimal rest in between.

Compound Set/Compound Exercises: A type of workout involving two back-to-back exercises targeting the same muscle group.

Cross Training: A type of workout that combines different types of exercise, such as strength training and cardiovascular exercise.

Deadlift: A powerlifting exercise in which the athlete lifts a barbell from the floor until their legs are fully extended.

Fartlek Training: A type of training, usually running, that involves alternating between periods of high-intensity exercise and recovery periods of average-intensity exercise without taking a full rest. Unlike interval training, fartlek training lets athletes freely decide when to slow down and speed up. Named for the Swedish term for “speed play.”

Full-Body Workout: A workout that targets all major muscle groups in a single session.

High-Impact: Exercise that involves movements like jumping that place stress on the joints.

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): A form of interval training that alternates between short bursts of high-intensity exercise and recovery periods of low-intensity exercise or rest.

Interval Training: A type of workout alternating between high-intensity exercise and recovery periods of lower-intensity exercise.

Isometric Exercise: An exercise that involves holding a static position without any muscle or joint movements to build strength and endurance.

Low-Impact: Exercise that places little stress on the joints, such as walking or swimming.

Metabolic Conditioning: A type of workout focusing on high-intensity, full-body exercises designed to improve cardiovascular fitness and burn calories.

Military Press: A strength training exercise that involves pressing a barbell or dumbbell overhead while standing.

Pilates: A type of low-impact exercise that focuses on core strength, flexibility, and body control through a series of movements. Pilates often involves a machine known as a reformer.

Plank: An isometric core exercise that involves holding a static position similar to the top of a push-up.

Plyometrics: A type of training that involves explosive, high-impact jumping movements designed to improve power and speed.

Powerlifting: A type of strength training that focuses on the three main lifts: squats, bench presses, and deadlifts.

PPL (Push-Pull): A workout split that focuses on splitting pushing exercises (such as chest presses) and pulling exercises (such as rowing) into separate training sessions.

Progressive Overloading: A training principle that involves gradually increasing the weight or intensity of an exercise from session to session to stimulate continued progress and adaptation.

Rest-Pause: A weightlifting technique that involves pausing briefly during a set to recover before continuing. This can help the lifter finish a final rep.

Skullcrusher: A tricep exercise that involves stabilizing the elbows and lowering a weight behind the head while lying on a bench.

Squat: A lower-body exercise that involves bending the knees and lowering the hips while keeping the back straight. This can be done with weights or using body weight only.

Static Stretching: A type of stretching that involves holding a stretch in a fixed position, typically for 20-30 seconds.

Steady-State Cardio: Cardiovascular exercise performed at a consistent, moderate intensity for an extended period of time.

Strength Training: A type of exercise that uses resistance to build muscle mass and increase strength.

Tabata Training: A type of high-intensity interval training that involves 20 seconds of work followed by 10 seconds of rest for a total of four minutes.

Unilateral Training/Exercise: An exercise using only one arm or one leg.

Warm-Up: A set of low-intensity exercises or stretches before a workout to prepare muscles and get into the right mindset.

Gym Slang

Drop Set: A weightlifting technique that involves performing an exercise as long as possible, then immediately reducing the weight and continuing the exercise.

Gains: Slang for positive progress in the gym, especially increases in strength or muscle mass. (Ex. “He’s seeing huge gains in his bench press.”)

Gym Rat: A frequent gymgoer who’s very passionate about fitness.

Newbie: Someone who's new to fitness and the gym.

PB (Personal Best): An athlete’s personal record for performance in a particular workout. Depending on the workout, this might be a record weight, time, speed, number of reps, or number of sets. Also known as a PR (Personal Record).

PR (Personal Record): Another term for PB (Personal Best).

Pump: The feeling of temporary muscle fullness and tightness after a strength training workout. (Ex. “I got a good pump in today.”)

Rep: Short for “repetition.” One complete movement of an exercise.

Weekend Warrior: A gymgoer who only works out for a couple of days on the weekends.