Fitness Glossary

As Many Reps As Possible

A workout protocol where you perform an exercise for as many repetitions as you can within a specified timeframe or until failure.

Adenosine Triphosphate

The primary molecule that stores and transfers energy within cells, fueling intense muscle contractions.

Branched-Chain Amino Acids

Essential amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, and valine) involved in muscle protein synthesis. Largely redundant as a standalone supplement if you already eat enough total protein, since complete protein sources already supply them.

Basal Metabolic Rate

The number of calories your body burns at rest just to keep basic life functions (breathing, circulation) running.

Plant extracts or herb-derived ingredients used therapeutically to promote health, reduce inflammation, or boost performance.

A form of strength training that uses the resistance of your own body weight rather than external weights.

The most abundant structural protein in the body, vital for maintaining skin elasticity, joint health, and connective tissue integrity.

An organic acid naturally occurring in the body that helps supply energy to muscle and nerve cells, widely used to boost athletic performance and cognitive health.

Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness

The muscle pain and stiffness that typically begins 12 to 24 hours after a new or intense workout.

Every Minute On the Minute

A type of interval workout where you perform a specific task at the start of every minute for a set amount of time.

High-Intensity Interval Training

A cardiovascular exercise strategy alternating short periods of intense anaerobic exercise with less intense recovery periods.

Beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate

A substance produced when the body breaks down leucine. It is used to prevent muscle breakdown and increase muscle mass.

A mild, acute biological stressor (like cold plunging or saunas) that triggers beneficial adaptive responses and improves overall resilience.

Heart Rate Variability

The measure of the variation in time between each heartbeat. A key indicator of nervous system readiness and physical recovery.

The increase and growth of muscle cells. Hypertrophy training focuses on building muscle size rather than pure strength.

A condition that occurs when the level of sodium in your blood is abnormally low, often caused by over-hydrating with plain water and flushing out electrolytes.

If It Fits Your Macros

A flexible dieting approach where you can eat whatever you want, provided you stay within your daily macronutrient targets.

Low-Intensity Steady State

A form of cardiovascular exercise where you maintain a consistent, low-to-moderate heart rate for an extended period of time.

Macronutrients

The three primary components of food that provide energy: Proteins, Carbohydrates, and Fats.

The active range of motion of a joint. It is how far you can move a joint using only your own muscular strength and neurological control.

Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis

The calories burned from all the movement you do that is not sleeping, eating, or intentional exercise (e.g., walking, fidgeting).

The absolute maximum amount of weight you can lift for a single, clean repetition of a given exercise.

Short chains of amino acids that act as building blocks for proteins like collagen and elastin, often used to promote skin health, muscle growth, or recovery.

The gradual increase of stress placed upon the body during exercise training (e.g., adding weight, reps, or sets) to drive continuous improvement.

Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators

A class of therapeutic compounds that have similar properties to anabolic steroids but with reduced androgenic properties. Often sold in the grey market.

The jiggly fat that lies directly beneath the skin. It is generally less harmful metabolically than visceral fat.

Total Daily Energy Expenditure

The total number of calories you burn in a given day, accounting for BMR, exercise, and daily movement.

Thermic Effect of Food

The amount of energy your body uses to digest, absorb, and metabolize the food you eat. Protein has the highest TEF.

A type of body fat that is stored within the abdominal cavity, wrapping around internal organs. High levels are linked to metabolic disease.

The total amount of work performed in a training session or over a week, typically calculated as Sets × Reps × Weight.

A mathematical formula used to compare the absolute strength of lifters across different body weight categories and genders.

Aerobic exercise performed at 60-70% of your maximum heart rate. It is highly effective for building an aerobic base and cellular endurance.