A
Adduction, adductor
Abduction is movement towards the central axis of the body, an abductor is a muscle whose contraction results in this movement.
Adenosine triphospate, ATP
The molecular "currency" that provides energy within cells for everything from protein synthesis to muscle contraction.
Adipose tissue
Fat (body fat)
Adrenoceptor
A receptor that responds to hormones (such as epinephrine (adrenaline) produced by the adrenal gland
Aerobic
(requiring oxygen)
when describing exercise, it refers to extended sustained levels of exertion during which metabolic processes that provide energy are dominated by the complete oxidation of nutrients
Agonist
A chemical agent that stimulates, activates, accelerates, or enhances a process in the body  
Anabolic, anabolism Tending to build or repair tissue, muscle tissue in particular
Androgenic
Producing or accentuating male sexual characteristics (body hair, deepened voice, male pattern baldness). One of the characteristics of steroids, whether synthesized in the lab or naturally in the body is their anabolic-androgenic ratio: if some amount of steroid X produces the same anabolic effects as a given amount of testosterone, how do the androgenic effects compare to those produced by that quantity of testosterone.
Anaerobic
Not requiring oxygen.
Anaerobic activities
Activities using muscle groups at high intensities that exceed the body’s capacity to use oxygen to supply energy, thereby creating an oxygen debt by using energy produced without oxygen
Anaerobic threshold
The point at which blood lactate concentration’s start to rise above resting values; can be expressed as a percent of  VO2 Max;  period at which lactic production exceeds lactic acid removal.
Antagonist
[1] a chemical agent that inhibits, prevents, slows, or stops a process in the body
[2] a muscle that relaxes or stretches during the performance of a movement
Anticatabolic
Preventing or lessening catabolism
Aromatase
An enzyme responsible for (among other things) converting testosterone into estrogens
Avulse, avulsion
Tearing away a body part or structure such as tearing a tendon or ligament off of a bone.

B
Ballistic
Movement due to momentum rather than muscular control. Ballistic stretching involves "throwing" a body part in order to stretch a joint beyond the range of motion attainable through controlled muscular contraction such as when "bouncing" at the bottom of toe-touches. It is an effective technique for causing injury to connective tissue, which can reduce flexibility rather than enhance it.
Barbell
A straight or curved bar typically five to seven feet in length designed to have weights placed on the ends. A standard seven-foot Olympic (takes plates with 2" holes) barbell weighs either 44 pounds (20 kilograms) or 45 pounds, not including collars.
Basal metabolic rate
The rate at which the body burns calories while awake but at rest (usually measured in calories per day)
Bench
A piece of gym equipment with a horizontal or mostly horizontal top surface designed to be sat upon or lay upon while performing an exercise. Multiple exercises’ can be performed on this equipment.  Your heart and head should be at a horizontal position.
Bench shirt
A very tight, sturdy shirt usually made from denim or neoprene theoretically worn for protection during bench press competitions whose main effect is to increase the amount of weight lifted by compressing and straightening the chest and arms.
Beta agonist
A beta-agonist or beta adrenoceptor agonist is a drug or chemical that partially mimics the effects of epinephrine, primarily targeting the beta adrenoceptors which accelerate heart rate and increase blood pressure (beta-1), dilate bronchial passages (beta-2), and release fatty acids from fat cells into the blood stream (all beta receptors). The most commonly encountered beta agonists are asthma drugs such as ephedrine and albuterol which target the beta-2 receptor.
Bioimpedance
The resistance of a path through the body (typically measured between the feet and/or hands), most often used to estimate bodyfat percentages because fat conducts electricity more poorly than muscle.
Biological value
The ratio (nitrogen retained)/(nitrogen consumed) for a single protein source consumed in relatively small quantity and without any other foods. For most athletes consuming reasonable diets, this is not an important factor.  
Body composition
This Fitness Component is the ratio of lean body mass to fat. Lean body mass represents the weight of water, muscle, bone and internal organs. Body fat represents the remaining fat tissue and is expressed as a percentage of total body weight.
Bodyfat, bodyfat percentage
The amount of fat in your body, generally expressed as a percentage.
Body mass index, BMI
Yet another way of approximating body composition for use in large-scale medical studies and for health reports to refer to in the popular press. This particular measure is calculated by dividing your mass in kilograms by the square of your height in meters. While such simplistic measures are useful for large statistical samples of the general population, their value is highly limited for individuals, particularly athletes who can be very healthy and have low body fat percentages despite having a higher-than-recommended BMI. 
Bulking, bulking up
To gain size and mass, preferably (but not always) mostly or entirely muscle and other lean tissue.
Bumper plate
A weight plate (almost always Olympic) with a rubber outer rim to reduce damage to the floor (and the plate) in case it is dropped. These are most commonly used in Olympic lifting where very heavy weights are lifted overhead

C
Cable, cable machine
An exercise machine in which the lifter pulls on a handle attached to a cable. The main difference between an exercise in which the resistance is transmitted through a cable rather than being done with free weights is that the force is in the direction of the cable rather than always pointing downwards. For example, when using a cable machine to perform curls , the cable may continue to provide resistance at the top of the movement while the resistance the biceps must work against when lifting free weights is minimal when the forearm is at or near vertical.
Calipers
A common tool used to measure body fat percentage by adding the sum of skin folds taken by the calipers
Cambered bar
A barbell with most of the middle offset; used to increase the range of motion in bench pressing and also very effective for avoiding scraped knees while deadlifting and for letting the arms hang straight down during shrugs. 
Cardiac Output
The amount of blood pumped by the heart per minute.
Cardiorespiratory Endurance
This is the body's ability, over sustained periods of physical activity, to deliver oxygen and nutrients to tissues, and to remove wastes.
Catabolic, catabolism
Tending to break down tissue, muscle tissue in particular.
Chalk
White powder that is commonly used for powerlifting to increase the grip of the hand and weight.
Cheating, cheat reps
A cheat rep is a repetition performed by deviating from strict form (leaning, adding extra momentum at the bottom of the movement with whole-body motion) after a lifter has reached the point of failure with a given weight.
Chin up bar
A bar used to perform common types of pull ups or chin ups.
Circuit training
A sequence of exercises performed one after the other with little rest in between. Think of it as being somewhere in between traditional aerobics and traditional weight training.
CNS, Central Nervous System
The brain and spinal cord (in vertebrates)
Collars, weight collars
Any kind of sleeve which may be slipped over the end of a weight bar after the plates have been put on and then tightened to hold the plates securely on the bar. This prevents plates from slipping off the end of the bar, shifting position, or rattling during the exercise. Olympic spin-lock collars typically weigh either 5 or 5.5 pounds each.
Compound, compound movement
An exercise that targets more than 1 muscle or muscle group simultaneously; usually the movement involves flexing or extending at least two joints.
Concentric
Done as the muscle contracts; "concentric strength" is the weight that can be lifted working against gravity (that's what you usually think of as 'weightlifting')
Cool Down
Time period at the end of exercise to allow for the heart rate and body temperature to return to normal levels; cool down is the opposite of a warm up
Corticosteroids
Catabolic steroids such as prednisone or cortisol. These are used to reduce inflammation by signaling tissues to break down. While this certainly does have medical uses, corticosteroids will not aid in building muscle--quite the opposite, in fact.
Cortisol, cortisone
A corticosteroid
Cramp, muscle cramp
Painful, involuntary muscular contraction
Creatine
Naturally occurring in muscle tissue, creatine functions as a secondary reservoir for short-term energy to be drawn upon when ATP (adenosine triphosphate) stores--the energy storage molecule that drives muscular contraction--are depleted. Supplemental creatine monohydrate added to the diet will increase the concentration of creatine phosphate within muscle tissue which may increase one's ability to perform brief, high-intensity exercise.
Cut, cuts
Visibility of individual muscles and muscle heads. To be "cut," it should be easy to identify by sight the heads of the deltoid and dividing lines between the different heads of the quadriceps.
Cutting, cutting up
To lose bodyfat, preferably with as little loss of muscle and other lean tissue as possible.
Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate
Important in the regulation of metabolic and neurological processes and activity, cAMP is generated in response to the activation of cellular receptors and, in turn, the presence of cAMP within the cell activates the process in question. cAMP is broken down by cAMP-phosphodiesterase.
The activity and duration of the process is governed by the rate at which cAMP is produced in response to receptor activation and the rate at which it is broken down. This is why the combination of ephedrine and caffeine produce a greater metabolic response than the sum of their effects when taken individually: ephedrine increases receptor activation, caffeine inhibits cAMP breakdown.
Cyclic ketogenic diet, CKD
A ketogenic with the intentional addition of periodic "carb-ups" (as opposed to snapping and going berserk in a doughnut shop because you can't take it any more). The ketogenic periods typically last five days to a month or longer, carb-ups are usually only half a day to two days.
Cycling
In reference to drugs or supplements, a "cycle" is a dosage or usage regiment that lasts a finite period of time with a planned sequence of doses and times, which may or may not be the same.

D
Deadlift bar
A bar, usually but not necessarily straight, which is smooth in the center, but is knurled in the areas a lifter is likely to grip while performing a deadlift.
Decline bench
A bench used commonly to perform a decline chest press targeting on the lower pectorial; the angle places the body with the head below the heart.  
Definition
Visibility of the shape and detail of individual muscles as occurs in individuals with low bodyfat.
Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)
This refers to pain and soreness that occurs 24 to 48 hours after exercise. DOMS is due to the microscopic muscle damage that takes place when you engage in resistance training. You usually feel the beginning of DOMS the day after you lift weights.
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
The chemical typically formed into chromosomes that form the chemical basis of genetics and heredity. Your DNA is what makes you a human (assuming that's what you are) and not a hamster (assuming you're not--it's hard to tell these things over the net)
Descending Sets
The weight decreases each set but the reps stay the same
Dihydrotestosterone
A highly androgenic hormone produced from testosterone by the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. This hormone is the primary culprit in male pattern baldness and benign prostate enlargement.
Dinitrophenol, 2,4-dinitrophenol, DNP
A potent nonselective uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation that is not only effective when ingested, but can also be absorbed through the skin. It is used industrially as a wood preservative, in the production of explosives, and as an ingredient in insecticides. It is extremely flammable or explosive when dry.
Dip belt
A belt, usually without a buckle, with a chain or other method of attaching a weight as a simple and comfortable way of adding weight when performing exercises involving lifting one's own body. A dip belt is most commonly used when performing dips (go figure!) and chin-ups , though it can be an effective way of allowing the lifter to perform pull-downs without lifting oneself up into the air during the movement.
Downregulation
Decreasing the activity or responsiveness of a physiological process by reducing the number of available receptors.
Dumbbell
A short bar with fixed or changeable weights mounted on each end with enough space in between to grip with one hand.
the term "dumbbell" comes from the practice of demonstrating strength by lifting heavy cast metal bells (like the Liberty Bell, only smaller and not cracked). A "dumb bell" was a bell made without a clapper so that it would not ring through one's show of physical prowess. Eventually, any weight meant to be hefted with one hand was referred to as a "dumbbell" and after what we now think of as being a dumbbell shape became standard, the word "bar bell" or "barbell" was coined to refer to a similar weight with a central bar long enough to be held easily with two hands.

E
Eccentric
Done as the muscle extends or relaxes; "eccentric strength" is the weight that can be lowered under control
Ectomorph
Thin and linear body type
Endurance
It is the power to withstand hardship or stress.

Endocrine
Glands that produce chemicals released into the bloodstream. The pituitary and adrenal glands are endocrine glands; salivary glands and sweat glands are not.
Endomorph
Rounded body type with small shoulders
Epinephrine
Also known as adrenaline, epinephrine is a sympathomimetic hormone produced by the adrenal glands that accelerates heart rate, constricts blood vessels, raises blood pressure, dilates breathing passages, and accelerates the peristaltic motion of the muscles lining the intestines.
Epiphyseal plates
The "plate" on the end of a bone, particularly the long bones of the arm and leg which remain infused to the rest of the bone during growth. Once they become fused, these bones cease to grow longer.
Ergogenic
Tending to increase muscular power, endurance, or size
Estrogen, estrogenic
There is no one hormone named "estrogen"; estrogens are hormones that induce or accentuate female sexual characteristics (as well as performing other functions, depending on the specific hormone). Estrogens include estrone, progesterone, and estradiol.
Exercise
It is an active bodily exertion performed to develop or maintain fitness.
Exertion
To put into vigorous action and/or to put (oneself) into great effort in any fitness related field.
Exhaustion
Complete failure; past fatigue
Extension
The act of straightening a joint
Extracellular
Outside the cell or cells (in the bloodstream, lymph, etc.) as opposed to inside
EZ-curl bar
A short barbell with a shaft bent like a stretched-out 'w' typically used for performing curls with the hands turned inward more than they would be using a straight bar, putting less strain on the wrists. A typical Olympic EZ-curl bar weighs around twenty pounds, though there's no "official" standard weight. Standard (takes plates with 1" holes) versions would be lighter, typically ten to fifteen pounds.

F
Fast-twitch muscle fibers
Muscle fiber type that contracts quickly and is used most in intensive, short-duration exercises, such as weightlifting or sprints; also called Type II fibers.
Femur
The bone of the thigh
Fiber, muscle
Also called muscle cells are long cylindrical cells about he diameter of a human hair that bundle to make up the fasciculi.
Fibula
The smaller bone of the lower leg
FITT
A basic principle applied to exercise; Frequency, Intensity, Time, and Type
Flexibility
The range of motion around a joint
Forced rep
A forced rep is a repetition performed with assistance from a spotter after a lifter has reached the point of failure with a given weight.
Free weight
Equipment moved in the performance of an exercise which is simply raised and lowered as a complete unit. So called because the weight is free to move in any direction and in any manner the lifter can manage.
Free weights include barbells and dumbbells.

G
Gaspari bar
A short weight bar with rotating handles mounted in-line with the bar so that they are free to rotate. Generally used for bicep curls , the Gaspari bar allows the lifter's hands to rotate freely.
German volume training, GVT
A training technique in which ten sets of ten reps are performed for each exercise. The same weight is used for each set and rest periods between sets are kept to a minimum.
Grip
Holding onto the bar (or other object); many exercises can be performed with multiple grip styles and the type of grip used will affect the amount of weight that can be used, the safety of the movement, and the muscles targeted.
Grip, false
A style of grip most commonly used in the bench press in which the thumb remains against the side of the palm rather than wrapping around the bar.
Grip, neutral
If your palms are facing towards each other you are using a neutral grip
Grip, pronated
Look down at your hands; if your palms are facing away from you, you are using a pronated grip
Grip, reverse
A reverse grip is one in which the wrists are rotated in opposite directions (one pronated, the other supinated ). This is most commonly used for deadlifts because the tendency of the bar to roll out of the hands is cancelled out, allowing the lifter to hold more weight.
Grip, supinated
Look down at your hands; if your palms are facing towards you, you are using a supinated grip

H
Head, muscle head
Many muscles attach at a single point on one end and at multiple points at the other, somewhat like a bunch of bananas, but better at lifting big, heavy iron with.
"biceps" means two heads; "triceps," three; "quadriceps," four.
often the multiple heads of a single muscle will attach to different bones on either side of a joint. The calf muscle has two heads, which connect at the bottom and attach to the heel: the gastrocnemius, the top of which attaches above the knee joint, and the soleus which attaches below.
Because of this, if the knee is bent (such as when performing seated calf extensions the gastrocnemius is put in a poor position to transfer force and the exercise is performed largely by the soleus head. 
Health
Is the general term used to describe total condition of the body and mind.
Heart -Rate
It is the number of heartbeats per unit of time, usually expressed as beats per minute.
Homeopathic
Traditionally, a philosophy of therapy in which medical conditions are treated by preparing a solution of a substance which produces symptoms similar to those produced by the condition, diluting it until no molecules of the active ingredient remain in the solution, and then drinking it. The term is often applied to any solution so prepared, and irrespective of whether the homeopathic solution is intended to cure or cause a particular reaction, it is an expensive technique for consuming small quantities of water.
While it is not obvious why one would wish to do this, it does have the advantage of relatively few side effects.
Homeostatic, homeostasis
State of equilibrium of the internal environment of the body
Hydrogenated fat; trans fat
Occurs in the manufacturing phase of margarine and other vegetable shortenings; trans fat do not typically occur in the environment naturally and have been linked to major health concerns  
Hydrostatic; underwater weighing
This method of assessment computes bodyfat percentage from whole-body density; requires underwater measurement and is usually the most costly; is used as the gold standard for body assessments with a very small margin of error
Hyperextension, hyperextensions
Of a joint, "hyperextension" refers to bending it beyond its normal range of motion (usually this is bad).
as an exercise, "hyperextensions" are performed using a roman chair which supports one's legs and hips in a horizontal, prone position. Either with or without a weight, one then bends at the hips, lowering one's head and shoulders until one's torso is close to vertical. Then, by contracting the glutes and spinal erectors , one raises one's torso back upwards to above the horizontal.
Hypertension
High blood pressure
Hypertrophy
An enlargement of a muscle of a muscle by the increase of the size of the cells

I
Incline bench
A bench in which the head is elevated above the heart; used for many free weight exercises  
Insertion
The point of attachment of a muscle most distant from the body's midline or center
Intensity
The level of exertion during exercise  
International Powerlifting Federation (IPF)
An international governing body that oversees the rules and regulations of powerlifting competitions; IPF-sanctioned competitions and judging are overseen by national-level powerlifting associations that are affiliated with the IPF
International Weightlifting Federation (IWF)
An international governing body that oversees the rules and regulations of Olympic lifting competitions
Intracellular
Inside the cell or cells as opposed to outside (in the bloodstream, lymph, etc.)
Interval Training
Consists of a short but fast exercise, alternated with a slow but easy physical fitness activity
Isolation, isolation movement
An exercise that targets a single muscle or muscle group; usually the movement involves flexing or extending only one joint.
Isomer
A molecule with the same chemical composition (same number of atoms of each type) as another, but with a different chemical structure (arrangement or configuration of those atoms). Two chemicals which are isomers of each other may produce effects on the body that are similar or completely different.
Isometric
Not involving contraction or extension; isometric exercises are done by tightening the muscles without moving any part of the body, such as by pushing against a brick wall instead of lifting a weight

J
Joint
Connection of two bones in the body

K
Karvonen Formula
A method to calculate the training heart rate using a percentage of the heart rate reserve, which is the difference between the maximal and resting heart rates.
Kcal
1000 calories, or one "food calorie"; commonly know as a calorie
Ketogenic
Producing or causing the body to produce ketones.
Ketogenic diet
A diet involving the restriction of carbohydrates to the point of inducing ketosis (buildup of significant levels of ketones in the bloodstream). Usually this requires keeping carbohydrate consumption below 20 grams per day.
Ketosis reduces appetite and some studies (but not all) have shown ketogenic dieters to lose relatively more fat and less lean body mass than non-ketogenic dieters. Note, however, that ketogenic diets are not usually well-suited for actually gaining muscle.
Ketone bodies
A acetone-like byproduct that is caused by a diet very low in carbohydrates; this causes the incomplete breakdown of fats  
Kilogram, Kg
One kilogram = 2.2 pounds
Knee wraps
Bands of fabric wound tightly around the knee during powerlifting to slightly increase lifting ability; their use should be avoided during general training (apart from right before a competition) since they can obstruct blood flow, compress nerves, and grind the kneecap against the front of the knee joint, resulting in inflammation and possible damage to the cartilage of the knee joint.
Knurling, knurled
A grooved or roughened area along the length of a bar to increase ease of gripping or to lessen the tendency to slip (this is why a squat bar is knurled in the center whereas a deadlift bar normally is not.

L
Lactate
Lactic acid
Lactic Acid
The end product of metabolism of glucose for the anaerobic production of energy.
Lean body mass
Total body mass minus fat mass; this includes muscle, bone, organs, water, etc., everything but fat.
Ligament
A tough cord or band of dense white fibrous connective tissue that connects two or more body parts other than muscles such as providing support for an internal organ or holding the ends of two bones together at a joint.

M
Machine, weight machine; also know as selectorized  
Equipment moved in the performance of an exercise which is not simply raised and lowered as a complete unit. Exercise machines may guide or restrict the direction and extent of a movement, use cams, lever arms, pulleys, or cables to redirect or alter the resistance, or generate the resistance through springs, hydraulic or pneumatic pistons, magnets, or elastic bands rather than weights.
Manta Ray®
A molded plastic accessory intended to increase comfort and stability of the bar during squats . One side is shaped to fit across the shoulders of the lifter and the other is designed to clip snugly around the bar.
Mesomorph
Body type with thick muscles and heavy bone structure
Metabolite
A chemical produced by the body from some other chemical such as a component of food, a supplement, or a drug.
Mitochondria
Cellular organelles found outside the nucleus that provide energy for the rest of the cell by oxidizing nutrients to produce ATP
Muscular Endurance
This is the ability of a muscle, or a group of muscles, to sustain repeated contractions or to continue applying force against a fixed object.
Muscular Strength
This is the muscle's ability to exert force for a brief span of time.

N
Negatives
The practice of using more weight that one can handle and lowering the weight as controlled as possible; enables the body to adapt to the increased resistance.  Caution: Be sure to use a spotter.
Nerves
The cordlike bundles of fibers made up of neurons through which sensory stimuli and motor impulses pass between the brain or other parts of the central nervous system and the eyes, glands, muscles, and other parts of the body. Nerves form a network of pathways for conducting information throughout the body.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, NSAID
An anti-inflammatory agent or drug that is not a steroid; NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen, naprosyn, and ketoprofen, but not acetaminophen.
Nucleus, cell nucleus
The main central organelle in the eukaryotic cell that contains DNA and directs the growth and activity of the cell. Most cells have exactly one nucleus, but striated muscle cells and some slime molds have multiple nuclei within a single cell, and red blood cells lose their nucleus before entering the blood stream (and are no longer able to divide)

O
Olympic plate
Olympic plates have 2" holes--actually 2-1/8" typically, to give them room to slip onto a 2" diameter bar. There's some variation in size of the holes in the plates and in the diameter of the bar, depending on whether the manufacturer is thinking in ISO/standard units (2" diameter bar) or metric (5cm, a little smaller).
Olympic lifting
Weightlifting as traditionally performed in the Olympics involving the clean and jerk and the snatch ; at one time the standing overhead press was included in this category, but it was removed decades ago.
One rep maximum; 1RPM
The greatest amount of weight that can be handled by a lifter for a single repetition in good form.
Organelle
Any identifiable specialized part of a cell that is, to an individual cell, much like an organ like the heart or liver is to the body. Examples of organelles include mitochondria and the nucleus.
Origin
The point of attachment of a muscle closest to the body's midline or center.
Overloading, progressive overloading
Subjecting a part of the body to efforts greater than it is accustomed to, in order to elicit a training response
Overtraining
Training beyond the body's ability to repair itself. This can be caused by training the same body parts too frequently so that the body does not have time to recover before the next workout; workouts that are consistently harder than the body is able to recover from fully; or impairment of the body's normal recovery ability due to nutritional deficiencies, illness, or stress.
Besides impairing athletic performance, overtraining can increase the risk of injury or disease. Symptoms of overtraining include fatigue, reduced performance, and increased resting heart rate.

P
Patella
The kneecap plate on the top of the knee joint
Partials, partial reps
Performing a certain exercise with a shorter range of motion to enhance strength, promote muscle growth or increase performance
Periodization
Periodization is an organized approach to training that involves progressive cycling of various aspects of a training program during a specific period of time.
Physical Fitness
The ability of the human body to function with vigor and alertness, without undue fatigue, and with ample energy to engage in leisure activities, and to meet physical stresses
Pinch grip
An exercise to increase grip strength typically performed by pinching two weight plates together (smooth side out) and picking them up using only the fingers
Plateau effect
The Plateau Effect occurs when you may be working out but do not see improvements in your Fitness Level because your body is no longer being overloaded.
PNF, PNF stretching
Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation; PNF stretching involves a combination of alternating contraction and relaxation of both agonist and antagonist muscles through a designated series of motions.  
Power cage
A "cage" typically made with four vertical bars, each capable of supporting hooks and/or crossbars which may be placed at any of several possible heights. This allows a barbell to be placed at a comfortable starting height for squats, bench presses, military presses, etc. Often, another set of hooks or a pair of crossbars will be placed at a lower height to catch the barbell if the lifter is unable to return it to the starting position.
Powerlifting
A common sport divided by weight class that competes against other competitors in Olympic style lifts. 
Preacher bench
A "bench" somewhat like a very heavy-duty music stand turned away from the lifter with a padded, steeply inclined support for the backs of the lifter's arms and often (but not always) a seat behind. Placing the arms on a support like this prevents them from moving except at the elbow while performing curls. .
Pre-exhaustion
To perform one or more sets of an isolation movement prior to the performance of a compound movement
Prime mover
A muscle or group of muscles whose contraction produces the movement in an exercise
Prohormone
"Prohormones" are actually hormones themselves and are chemicals produced by the body (or close "chemical cousins" of such chemicals, as is the case with the nor- varieties). The "pro-" part is used for two reasons: first, because rather than themselves being the hormone one is actually interested in supplementing, they are instead used by the body's biochemical pathways to produce the hormone of interest; second, marketing.
Prone, pronation, pronated
Turning face-down or palm-down
Pulley
A freely rotating wheel used to change the direction of force applied by a cable . The pulldown machine typically has a cable passing over one or more pulleys at the top so that a downward force applied to the cable by the lifter raises the weights at the far end of the cable.
Pump, pumped
A large increase of blood and other fluids to the muscle caused by resistance training
Pyramiding
A common method in weight training which the resistance increases in each set and the reps decreases in each set

Q

R
Range of motion, ROM
The degree of movement that occurs at a joint
Receptor
A chemical site either within the cell or on the surface of the cell membrane that responds to the presence of a chemical stimulus such as a hormone or neurotransmitter and triggers a series of chemical events that produce a response on a cellular level.
Recovery
Usually referred to as the length of time between one bout of exercise and another; should be determined by the type of activity performed
Rep, repetition

A single complete performance of a movement, normally including both the concentric (working against resistance) and eccentric (allowing the weight to move in the direction it would if you let go) phases, so that at the end of one rep, the weight and lifter are back in the position they were in prior to the rep.

Rate of perceived exertion (RPE)
RPE is a subjective rating that the trainer assigns to the intensity of his/her exercise based on their perception of hard the physical exertion was.

Resistant Exercise
Also known as weight training , this means working or training with weights – free weights, weights on a gym machine, or your own body weight.

Resistance training
Training with weights or other sources of resistance above and beyond the movement itself
Rest
Commonly used as the time period of no activity or movement during the workout; allows muscle endurance and strength to rebuild as well as heart rate to recover.
Ripped
Visibility of fine detail below the level of individual muscles and muscle heads. To be "ripped," it should be easy to identify by sight the striations and muscle bands going across the heads of the deltoid, and the different heads of the quadriceps.
ROM
Range Of Motion, the complete stretch and flex on a particular muscle during a specific exercise
Rotator cuff
Four muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis) that run from the shoulder blade to the upper arm, or humerus which together stabilize the shoulder joint.
Routine
Specific exercise plan that is tailored to the goals of the client; should be developed by a professional

S
Selectorized
Commonly referred to as a machine; requires you to select the desired weight with a pin.
Set
A sequence of one or more complete performances of a movement, or rep done as a unit with minimal or no pause in between. When you pick up a barbell, curl it ten times, and then put it down, that is one set of ten reps. 
Shrugs
An exercise for the trapezius performed by standing upright while holding a weight in both hands and lifting the shoulders up and down while the arms remain hanging downwards.
Six pack
Defined abdominal muscles, so called because six bulges are visible (three per side) through the skin. The level of bodyfat necessary to see all six varies between individuals and the lower ones usually require the lowest bodyfat levels to bring them out
Slow-twitch muscle fibers
Muscle fiber type that contracts slowly and is used most in moderate-intensity, endurance exercise such as distance running; also called type 1 fibers
Smith machine
A piece of equipment including an Olympic barbell attached to a track and cable pulley.  It is used for resistance training exercise.
Smooth muscle
Muscle tissue lacking the alternating dark and light bands that characterize striated muscle , composed of spindle-shaped cells with containing a single nucleus . Also known as "involuntary muscles" because their contraction and relaxation is not under direct voluntary control. Smooth muscle tissue lines the arteries, intestines, and is generally not attached to bones or ligaments.
Spot, spotter, spotting
To "spot" is to provide assistance to another lifter or at least to stand by ready to do so if needed. A spotter for the bench press normally stands behind the lifter and, should the lifter need assistance in raising the weight, touches or grasps the bar and helps lift it upwards.
Spot Reducing
This occurs when you try to eliminate weight or fat from a specific part of your body and concentrates working only on that part. In effect, you tend to build muscle in that area when, generally, you just need to lose fat from that part.
Squat bar
A straight bar with knurling in both the center and sides to make it easier to grip and less likely to slip when placed across the back (or at least take more flesh with it if it does slip)
Squat suit
A very tight, usually neoprene bodysuit worn theoretically for protection, but in reality because it increases the amount of weight that can be lifted by compressing and applying a straightening force to the legs and hips.
Stabilizer
Muscles that assist in the performance of an exercise by steadying the joint or limb being moved, but not increasing the force being applied.
One of the disadvantages of using machines rather than free weights for training is that many machines take over the task of stabilizing the movement, so that the stabilizing muscles are not trained to nearly the extent that they would have been with free weights.
Stance
Foot and leg position during the performance of an exercise, particularly squats and deadlifts . This can make a great difference in the movement and the muscles targeted. For example, a wide stance in the squat allows for a more upright torso and tends to place more stress on the glutes and thigh adductors , while a narrower stance tends to shift stress more to the quads and lower back.
Standard plate
A weight plate designed to be mounted on a one-inch diameter bar. Usually round with a central hole of about 1-1/8", they are commonly available in 1-1/4, 2-1/2, 5, 10, 25, and 50 pound sizes. Many Olympic plates have "standard" written on them, but it's the size of the hole that matters.
Steroid
A hormone that promotes an ergogenic effect; is used widely by competitive athletes as “anabolic steroids” to enhance performance or appearance levels 
Stretching
An exercise designed to extend the limbs and muscles to their full extent. When you stretch, you expand your muscles and limbs by lengthening or widening. Stretching is essential to overall Fitness.
Striated muscle
Muscle tissue composed of multinucleate cells with alternating dark and light bands. Also known as "voluntary muscles" because their contraction and relaxation can be controlled voluntarily.
Striations
Fine grooves or bands on the surface of a muscle, visible through the skin in ripped bodybuilders.
Stripping
Having one or more spotters remove weights from the bar during a set so that the lifter can continue with a lighter weight after having reached failure
Superset
An advance technique that involves performing two different exercises with little or no rest in between.
SuperSlow
SuperSlow is an exercise protocol whereby the weight is lifted in approximately 10 seconds and lowered in five seconds. It can be used with any kind of resistance equipment: free weights, Nautilus or other machines, or calisthenics (dry land) exercises.
Supine, supination, supinated
Turning face-up or palm-up
Swiss ball
A large inflatable ball typically used for support while performing exercises like crunches, leg lifts, hyperextensions, etc. A ball differs from a bench in that it acts as a "bouncy" unstable support, requiring coordination and effort on the part of the lifter to keep from falling over or off.
A site that sells Swiss balls and has examples of how to use them:
Synergism, synergistic
A combination of different components or elements which produce a result greater than the sum of the effects that would have been produced by each one separately.
Synergist
Muscles that assist in the performance of an exercise by adding to the force required to execute the movement

T
T-bar
A piece of equipment shaped as a “T” with a chest pad to stabilize the upper body ; commonly used for back exercises
Tapering off
Reducing quantities taken of a drug or supplement at the end of a cycle
Target Heart Rate (THR)
The heart rate you should maintain when you exercise.  An intensity that should be reached during aerobic exercise that is determined by the Karvonen Formula
Tendon
A tough cord or band of dense white fibrous connective tissue that connects a muscle with another body part (such as a bone) and transmits the force produced by the contraction of the muscle to produce movement in the body part in question or to use that part as an "anchor" from which to induce movement in another part of the body.
Testosterone
The primary natural androgenic and anabolic steroid hormone found in the body.
Thermogenesis, thermogenic
The generation of heat, usually through biological processes. Thermogenic drugs, such as ephedrine and caffeine increase the rate at which the body produces heat internally, generally through the mechanisms used to maintain body temperature.
Tibia
The larger bone of the shin (lower leg) 
Topical
Applied to the surface of the skin
Transdermal
“Through the skin," as in transdermally-delivered drugs such as testosterone and estrogen patches. Transdermal delivery allows chemicals that would be broken down by the digestive system or destroyed by the liver to pass into the bloodstream. It also can provide a slow and steady level of the chemical rather than a sudden "pulse" when hitting the digestive system. .
Trap Bar, Gerard Trap Bar  
A weight bar with a diamond-shaped section in the middle, typically used for deadlifts and shrugs. During the exercise, the lifter stands inside the diamond and grips the transverse handholds on either side of the diamond.    

U
Ug or mcg
Microgram
Upregulation
Increasing the activity or responsiveness of a physiological process by increasing the number of available receptors.  .
Uptake
Absorption or incorporation of a substance, especially into a cell or tissue.

V
Vascularity
Visibility of veins
Volume, training volume
Number of repetitions done in a training regimen; training is high-volume if many repetitions are done, whether in many individual sets, circuit training, or just spending all day pumping away at the weights.

Vo2 Max

Maximum amount of oxygen in millimeters one can use in one minute per 1 kilogram or 2.2 pounds of body weight. This is a measure of your capacity to generate the energy required for endurance activities.

W
WHO
World Health Organization located in Atlanta Georgia.
Warm-up
A common recommended method of preparing the body for a workout; increasing body temperature
Weight class
A particular group that you are placed in to compete with other competitors in that same class; usually based on gender, age, and weight.
Working "down the rack"
Using a sequence of dumbbells or (less commonly) barbells with decreasing weights, a lifter performs an exercise to failure with one weight and then immediately switches to the next lighter weight.

X

Y

Z
"The Zone"
A common term that describes an elevated level of performance.  Also know as the “Runner’s High”