Common Gym Terms You Should Know  

If you’re a gym newbie, you may be surprised by all the gym lingo you hear being tossed around while you’re working out. From terms like PR to pre-workout, you may feel like everyone around you is speaking a different language.

Check out our guide on common gym words to know so you’ll feel more comfortable next time you work out.

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10 Gym Terms & Lingo to Know

While there are all kinds of gym phrases, here are some of the most common ones:

1. Rep: Repetition, or “rep,” is essentially one full movement of an exercise. This can be completing one pull-up or lifting a weight up and then setting it back down.
2. Set: A set is a group of repetitions, common in weightlifting. You may perform a set of five barbell rows with a short 30-second or one-minute rest time in between.
3. Pre-workout: Pre-workout is a type of supplement that helps increase energy and boost athletic performance. The powder is often mixed with water and consumed before exercising.
4. Spotter: When doing heavy weightlifting, like bench presses, have a spotter nearby to assist with racking and unracking the bar or grabbing the weights from you if you struggle.
5. PR: A PR stands for personal record. Your PR can be anything from the most weight you’ve deadlifted to the highest number of jumping jacks you’ve ever done.
6. DOMS: Delayed onset muscle soreness, or DOMS, can happen a few days after your workout.
7. Gains: Your gains are the progress you’ve “gained” since you started working out. Gains include how far you can now run or how much weight you can squat.
8. Bulking: When weightlifters try to gain muscle mass, they bulk. Bulking involves eating more calories than you’d burn so you gain weight through muscle.
9. Cutting: Cutting is when weightlifters eat fewer calories so that their bodies can get rid of excess fat.
10. Deloading: There will be times during your workout regime when you’ll want to deload, or decrease the volume or intensity of your training. Deloading allows your body, mainly your central nervous system and muscles, to recover.

Ready to Start a Personal Training Program?

Now that you know some common gym terms, you can start working with a personal trainer to reach your fitness goals. At 5 Bridges Health & Fitness, we focus on your total health and help you get the most out of your fitness journey.

Learn about our personal training or message our Harrisburg team today!