Glossary

• Rest period

  This is a short break between sets to give you enough time to recover before you start your next set. For instance, your trainer will give you a 30-second rest period between sets of bench presses.

• Rest

  This refers to rest period, the short lull between sets which gives you ample time to recover before your next set.

• Rep out

  When you rep out, you repeat the same exercise over and over again until you can’t do it anymore. It’s synonymous with training to failure.

• RDL

  This is an acronym which stands for the Romanian deadlift, an exercise which one performs with either a barbell or dumbbell. RDLs target the hamstrings, glutes, back muscles, traps, and forearms.

• Pyramiding

  Also known as “The Pyramid Principle,” this strength training method relies on increasing resistance and a decreasing number of repetitions per set for more muscle mass and strength.

• Pump

  When you get a great pump during your lifts, your muscles become engorged with blood and your veins bulge out. Nitric oxide, found in many pre-workouts, helps one chase the pump during a tough workout.

• Pull ups

  This is a compound bodyweight exercise using a chin-up bar which targets the lats, traps, arm muscles, and shoulder muscles. It’s a great alternative if you want to hit your upper body without using equipment.

• Pronated

  When one holds a barbell, dumbbell, or machine attachment with a pronated grip, he’s employing an overhand grip which activates other muscle groups. An example is pronated barbell curls, which also activate the forearm muscles.

• Pre-workout

  Pre-workouts are supplements one takes prior to training to improve performance and endurance. Some of the best pre-workout ingredients include creatine, l-citrulline, beta-alanine, and caffeine.

• PR

  PR stands for “personal record.” It is synonymous to “PB” or “personal best,” where one establishes a record in a particular exercise or fitness-related endavour. It could range from the most amount of weight lifted to covering the most mileage in the least amount of time.

• Powerlifter

  A powerlifter competes in powerlifting, a strength sport where competitors try to lift the most weight in the squat, bench press, and deadlift.

• Poundage

  This is the amount of weight or resistance one lifts on a barbell, dumbbell, kettlebell, or machine. The poundage of your exercises depends on your fitness goal. If you want to increase strength levels, you should lift with heavier poundage.