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Click below to go to Glossary headings beginning with the letter chosen.

A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z

A    (Click to go to top of page)
 

Abduction - Movement of a limb away from middle of body, such as bringing arms to shoulder height from hanging down position.

Abductors - Muscles of the hip that pull your legs apart. Gluteus medius and minimus pull your legs outward. Inline skating, skiing and dance work these muscles.

Abs - Abbreviation for abdominal muscles.

Absolute Strength - The maximum amount a person can lift in one repetition.

AC Motor - Alternating current motor that operates with a power source where the voltage alternates or changes in magnitude and direction 60 times per second. The rate of change is expressed as 60 Hertz (Hz). In some countries, the motor changes 50 times per second and is expressed as 50 Hz.

Accommodating Resistance - Increasing resistance as lifters force increases through range of motion. Gyms from Stamina Products and Nautilus are said to provide accommodating resistance.

Acquired Ageing - The acquisition of characteristics commonly associated with ageing but that are, in fact, caused by immobility or sedentary living.

Active Stretch - Muscles are stretched using the contraction of the opposing muscle, (antagonist). For an example stretching the triceps, requires the biceps to contract.

Adduction - Movement of a limb toward middle of body, such as bringing arms to side from extended position at shoulder.

Adductors - Muscles of the inner thigh that pull your legs together. They attach the pelvis and the femur (or thigh bone). You use these muscles when inline skating, skate skiing or swimming the breaststroke.

Adhesion - Fibrous patch holding muscles or other parts together that are normally separated.

ADP (Adenosine Diphospahate) - ADP is formed when ATP is broken down within the bodies cell furnace, (the mitochondria). This provides energy for muscular contraction.

Aerobic - With oxygen, or in the presence of oxygen.

Aerobic Capacity - Another term for maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 Max).

Aerobic Exercise - Long-term, moderate-intensity exercise (i.e., jogging, cycling, rowing, cross-country skiing) that uses oxygen, carbohydrates, and fat for energy.

Agonist - Muscle directly engaged in contraction that is primarily responsible for movement of a body part.

Amino Acids - Twenty- two basic building blocks of the body that make up proteins.

Anaerobic Exercise - Short-term, high-intensity exercise (i.e., sprinting, weight lifting) that uses carbohydrates for energy.

Anaerobic Threshold - The point at which you begin working your muscles without oxygen, from an aerobic level, believed to be at about 87% of your Maximum Heart Rate.

Anodized Metal - Metal that has been coated with a protective oxide to strengthen it and make it resistant to damage. For example, Precor uses anodized aluminum in the components of its machines.

Antioxidants - Vitamins A, C and E, along with various minerals, which are useful to protect the body from "free radicals". Free radicals are unstable cells, which react with each, naturally created in the body, and also caused by factors such as smoking and radiation.

Atrophy - Decrease of a muscle caused by the decrease in the size of its cells because of inactivity.

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Ballistic Stretching - A stretching technique that involves a bouncing or bobbing movement during the stretch. The final position is not held. This is not a recommended stretching technique.

Barbell - Weight used for exercise, consisting of a rigid handle 5-7' long, with detachable metal discs at each end.

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) - The number of calories your body burns at rest to maintain normal body functions.

Bi-Angular Motion® - Born in the health club and brought home by Body-Solid, the Bi-Angular mechanism guides you through the optimum path of motion while applying resistance from two directions simultaneously. This smooth, fluid multi-directional resistance system automatically produces 25% more muscle interaction by eliminating the ability to rest the pecs. Thus, you increase the exercise intensity through a full range of safe, convergent, multi-joint, multi-plane motion.

Biomechanics - The study of the mechanics of a living body, especially of the forces exerted by muscles and gravity on the skeletal structure.

Box Channel Frame Design - Descriptive term of frame construction that closes on all four sides. Precor uses the boxed channel frame design because it is superior to typical non-closed frames.

Burn (as in "going for the burn") - In endurance exercise, working muscles until lactic acid build-up causes burning sensation.

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C Channel Frame Design - Descriptive term of frame designs that in cross-section looks like a square "C". The open-sided "C" channel frame is susceptible to flexing. Generally, this design is less expensive and inferior to the box frame design.

Calorie - The unit of heat equal to the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of water by 1°C at 1 atmosphere pressure. Also called a kilocalorie.

Carbohydrate - Organic compounds that include sugars, starches, celluloses, and gums and serve as a major energy source during exercise.

Cardiac - Pertaining to the heart.

Cardiovascular Training - Physical conditioning that strengthens heart and blood vessels, the result of which is an increase in the ability for your body muscles to utilize fuel more effectively resulting in a greater level of exercising.

Carotid Pulse - Pulse located on the carotid artery down from the corner of the eye, just under the jawbone; common site used for taking heart rate.

Cheating - Too much weight used on an exercise, therefore relying on surrounding muscle groups for assistance in the movement; or changing joint angles for more leverage, as in arching back in bench press.

Cholesterol - A fat lipid which has both good and bad implications within the human body. Good being known as HDL and bad being LDL. Bad cholesterol is associated with heart disease and stroke, whereas the body requires cholesterol for the production of any steroid.

Chopped DC Power - A special kind of DC power used for motor speed controls. Created by rapidly interrupting a DC power source to control the amount of power delivered by using special switching circuits that moderate the amount of power from 0 to 100 percent. The switching takes place so rapidly that the motor maintains a nearly constant speed.

Circuit Training - Going quickly from one exercise apparatus to another and doing a prescribed number of exercises or time on each apparatus, keeps pulse rate high and promote overall fitness, by generally working all muscle groups as well as heart and lungs.

Concentric Muscle Action - The muscle shortens while contracting against resistance.

Continuous Horsepower - The maximum horsepower (hp) a motor can produce continuously. Continuous horsepower ratings are based on motor temperature limitations.

Cool-Down - Period of low intensity aerobic activity to provide transition between high-intensity aerobic work and less aerobically taxing calisthenics, stretching, or the end of a workout.

Cross Training - Engaging in a variety of physical activities and exercise modalities (including both cardiovascular and strength training exercises) to work different muscles in the body; a training method that can be used to help minimize boredom, maintain motivation, and prevent overuse syndrome.

Crowned Rollers - Rollers that have thick centers and tapered ends. This shape makes them self-tracking, which means they are able to keep the belt centered without the aid of centering guides that can fray belt edges.

Crunches (abdominal exercises) - Sit-ups done on the floor with legs on bench, hands behind the neck.

Curl Bar - Cambered bar designed for more comfortable grip and less forearm strain.

Current, Limiting - An electronic feature that restricts current flowing through a treadmill to minimize the possibility of tripping the circuit breaker.

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Dead Lift - One of three power lifting events (other two are squat and bench press). Weight is lifted off floor to approximately waist height. Lifter must stand erect, shoulders back.

Deficiency - A sub optimal level of either one or more nutrients, often resulting in poor health.

Dehydration - Excessive fluid loss from the body, normally from perspiration, urination, evaporation or being sick.

Delts - Abbreviation for deltoids, the large triangular muscles of the shoulder which raise the arm away from the body and perform other functions.

Dip Belt - Large heavy belt worn around hips with a chain at each end that can be attached to a barbell plate or dumbbell for additional resistance during certain exercises like dips.

Direct Current (DC) Motor - A motor with a power source that is constant in voltage and whose current travels in only one direction. A car battery is one of the most common forms of DC power.

Drive Train - The mechanical system that transmits power or torque from one place to another. The drive train includes the running belt, drive belt, rollers, and motor. A car's transmission is part of the drive train because it transfers engine power to the wheels. The belt and pulley of a treadmill are parts of the drive train because they transfer the motor power to the belt.

Dumbbell - Weight used for exercising consisting of rigid handles about 14" long with either detachable metal discs or fixed weights at each end.

Duty Cycle - Used with chopped DC power, it's the amount of time the current flows compared to the total cycle time (e.g., if a chopped DC power supply is on for 20 microseconds and then off for 80 microseconds, the duty cycle would be 20%).

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Eccentric Muscle Action - The muscle lengthens while contracting against resistance.

Eddy Current - Resistance technology that works electro magnetically with a precision-balanced aluminum disk spinning freely between variable magnetic fields. Because it has few moving parts and no friction, eddy current resistance technology is extremely reliable and durable, requires little maintenance, and allows systems employing the technology to operate smoothly and quietly.

Empty Calories - A term used to denote food contributing calories that are void of significant food value and nutrients, i.e., alcohol, simple sugars.

Endurance - Ability to sustain a physical activity or continue exerting a force over time.

Ergonomics - The science of designing equipment to better fit the human body.

Exercise Intensity - The level of effort exerted during a workout as measured by the exerciser's heart rate. Since breathing rates and amount of sweat are highly individual, heart rate is the most reliable indicator of exercise intensity.

Extension - Body part (i.e. hand, neck, trunk, etc.) going from a bent to a straight position, as in a "leg extension".

Exercise Intensity - The level of effort exerted during a workout as measured by the exerciser's heart rate. Since breathing rates and amount of sweat are highly individual, heart rate is the most reliable indicator of exercise intensity.

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Fall-Rate - The rate and consistency at which footplates on a climber move downward.

Fall-Rate Center - The electronic feature on a climber that guarantees that the actual climbing rate matches the desired climbing rate. This feature works by constantly adjusting the magnet current up or down, which in turn increases or decreases the eddy current until the actual disc speed matches the desired speed.

Fat - Stored as adipose tissue in the body, it serves as a concentrated source of energy for muscular work; a compound containing glycerol and fatty acids.

Fatigue - Weariness or exhaustion resulting from prolonged or excessive exertion or inadequate fuel.
 

Flex - Bend or decrease angle of a joint; contract a muscle.

Flexibility - The range of motion around a joint.

Footprint - The amount of floor space a machine requires.
 

Forced Repetitions - Assistance to perform additional repetitions of an exercise when muscles can no longer complete movement on their own.

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Glutes - Abbreviation for gluteus maximus, medius and minimus; the buttock muscles.

Ground Effects^TM Impact Control System - Precor's proprietary low-impact treadmill bed technology. It minimizes shock that can lead to stress injuries in ankles, knees, and other joints. The bed "floats" on specially formulated elastomaric inserts that cushion impact and control uncomfortable lateral motion. This system is designed to absorb impact without recoil and responds similarly to all weight users, whether the person is running or walking.
 

Guided Motion - This is the traditional pressing style of motion found on selectorized machines both at the club and at home. Pressing exercises are performed in a movement pattern predetermined by the structure of the machine to ensure proper form.

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HDL - High-density lipoproteins ("good" cholesterol) that return unused fat to the liver for disposal; HDL levels are raised by aerobic exercise and are beneficial due to their "removal" effect on harmful LDL (low-density) lipoproteins.

Heart Rate - The number of times the heart pulses in a given period of time, such as one minute.
 

Heart Rate Zone Training™ - A Heart Rate Zone Training program does more than just calculate the user's heart rate, it automatically and continuously controls resistance or elevation levels on the equipment to keep users in their optimal heart rate training zone, providing safer, more effective work outs.

Horsepower (HP) - A measure of power calculated by multiplying torque times speed and dividing by a constant based on the unit of measure used. At the same torque, or pull on the belt, a reduction of speed results in a proportional reduction in hp.
 

Hypertrophy - Enlargement of a muscle caused by an increase in the size of its cells in response to weight training.

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Independent Step - Descriptive of the step action on a climber where each step moves independently of the other. Stepping down on one footplate does not cause the other footplate to go up.

Inertia - The tendency of a body at rest to remain at rest or a body in motion to remain in motion unless disturbed by an external force.

Integrated Footplant^TM Technology (IFT) - Precor's microprocessor-regulated motor control system that replicates the natural walking and running motion of your legs. IFT allows slight speed decreases during foot plant, thus absorbing impact at the point of contact with the treadmill and preventing shock from being transferred back into the body.
 

Intensity - Degree of resistance, energy or difficulty as related to a workout.

Intermittent Duty Horsepower Rating - The maximum hp the motor can produce for short time periods but cannot hold continuously due to temperature limitations.

Interval Training - Deliberately alternating between brief periods of lower and higher intensity levels during a workout; a method used to maximize cardiovascular endurance.

Iso-Flex Motion® - Iso-Flex™ independent press arms with 3D Motion™ give you unilateral or bilateral three dimensional movement exactly like a dumbbell workout. You have the freedom to change exercises on the fly because you define your movement. Incredibly smooth and consistent resistance is delivered to each independent Iso-Flex™ press arm. Perform pressing or pulling motions independently or simultaneously. You will feel steady weight, from start to finish, through your full range of motion.

Isokinetic - Contraction in which the tension developed by the muscle while shortening at constant speed is consistent over the full range of motion.

Isometric - Contraction against an immovable force; static; a muscle contraction in which the tension increases, but muscle length remains the same.

Isotonic - Movement against a movable force; dynamic; a muscle contraction in which the tension increases while the muscle length changes (concentric: muscle shortens; eccentric: muscle lengthens).

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Kinesiology - Study of muscles and their movements.

Knee Wraps - Elastic strips about 3 1/2" wide used to wrap knees for better support when performing squats, dead lifts, etc.

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Lactic Acid - A substance caused by anaerobic training of the muscles, whereby a build up prevents continuation of exercise. A good example is 400 meter runners and how they slow down during the last 100 meters of the race.

Lat's - Abbreviation for Latissimus dorsi, the large muscles of the back that move the arms downward, backward and in internal rotation.

Lean Body Mass - Everything in the body except for fat, including bone, organs, skin, nails and all body tissue including muscle. Approximately 50-60% of lean body mass is water.

Lift Off - Assistance in getting weight to proper starting position.

Ligament - Strong, fibrous band of connecting tissue connecting two or more bones or cartilage or supporting a muscle, fascia or organ.

Load - The amount of electrical or mechanical power required to operate a machine; usually the power required to hold you up while climbing or move you on the treadmill while running.

Lock Out - Partial repetition of an exercise by pushing the weight through only the last few inches of a movement, including the locking of one's body part.

Lumbar - Lower region of you spine, vertebrates L1 to L5. Used for bending and extending the body forward and back, with the aid of the abdominal and erector spinae muscles.

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Max - Maximum effort for one repetition of an exercise.

Maximum Heart Rate - Theoretical maximum heart rate that one can achieve during his or her greatest effort in exercise, estimated to be 220 minus your age.

MET - A measurement of oxygen consumption. One MET equals the approximate amount of oxygen consumed per minute by a person at rest and relaxed. An individual exercising at two METs is consuming oxygen at twice his or her resting rate.

Metabolism - The sum of the processes by which a particular substance is handled in the body at rest or during exercise.

Midsection - Muscles of abdominal area, including upper and lower abdominal's, oblique's and rectus abdominis muscles.

Military Press - Pressing a barbell from upper chest upward in a standing or sitting position.

Muscle - Tissue consisting of fibres organized into bands or bundles that contract to cause bodily movement. Muscle fibres run in the same direction as the action they perform.

Muscle Fatigue - Fatigue is when you can’t possibly do another rep without sacrificing form.

Muscle Head - Slang for someone whose life is dominated by training.

Muscle Spasm - Sudden, involuntary contraction of muscle or muscle group.

Muscle Tone - Condition in which muscle is in a constant yet slight state of contraction and appears firm.

Muscularity - Another term for definition, denoting a fully delineated muscles and absence of fat.

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Negative Reps - One or two partners help you lift a weight up to 50% heavier than you would normally lift to finish point of movement. Then you slowly lower weight on your own.

Non-Locks - Performing an exercise without going through complete range of motion. For example, doing squat without coming to full lockout position of knees or pressing a barbell without locking out elbows.

Nutrients - Substance obtained from food and utilized by the body to provide energy and promote growth, maintenance and/or repair (for example, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals and water). They are necessary for all bodily functions.

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Oblique's - Abbreviation for external oblique's, the muscles to either side of abdominal's that rotate and flex the trunk.

Olympic Lifts - Two movements used in national and international Olympic competitions: the SNATCH and the CLEAN and JERK.

Olympic Set - High quality, precision made set of weights used for competition. The bar is approximately 7' long. All moving parts have either brass bushings or bearings. Plates are machined for accurate weight.

Overload Principle - Applying a greater load than normal to a muscle to increase its capability.

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Pacer - An electronic marker that an exerciser can set to travel at a certain speed on the display and then race against or keep time with.
 

Partial Reps - Performing an exercise without going through a complete range of motion either at the beginning or end of a rep.

Peak Contraction - Exercising a muscle until it cramps by using shortened movements.

Pec's - Abbreviation for pectoral muscles of the chest.

Perceived Exertion - A self-descriptive measure of one's effort and intensity level during exercise. A2Z Fit's products are designed to minimize perceived exertion.

Performance Benefit - Improvements in physical fitness as a result of exercise.

Phenolic - A plastic resin used on some treadmill decks that permeates the wood, making waxing unnecessary.

Physical Fitness - An overall measure of physical attributes including cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength and endurance, body composition and flexibility.

Plyometric Exercise - A technique that includes specific exercises which encompass a rapid stretch of a muscle eccentrically, followed immediately by a rapid concentric contraction of that muscle for the purpose of facilitating and developing a forceful explosive movement over a short period of time. Examples of these are using medicine balls for upper extremity and depth jumping for lower extremity.

Polyelastomer - Having to do with or consisting of more than one type polymer that has the elastic properties of natural rubber. Polymers are natural or synthetic compounds consisting of up to millions of repeated linked units. These properties prevent treadmill belts from stretching out of shape, thereby increasing usability.
 

Power - Quick movement where the body is propelled either upward or outward; explosive strength; performance of work accomplished per unit of time; the amount of energy used per second (calculated by multiplying current times voltage).

Power Lifts - Three movements used in power lifting competition; the squat, bench press and dead lift.

Power Training - System of weight training using low repetitions, heavy weights.

Progressive Resistance - Method of training where weight is increased as muscles gain strength and endurance. The backbone of all weight training.

Proper Form - Focus on the proper motion of the exercise and concentrate on the specific muscles being used. Do not sacrifice proper form to lift heavier weight or to perform more repetitions. Proper form also means lifting in a smooth, fluid motion. If you feel strain elsewhere, you should re-evaluate the amount of weight you are lifting or have a qualified professional critique your exercise motion.

Proper Posture - Maintaining proper posture will greatly reduce chances of injury and maximize exercise benefit. When standing always keep your feet shoulder-width apart. Do not lock your knees. Locking your knees can put unnecessary strain on them. Keep your back flat and straight, making sure not to twist or arch it in order to complete a repetition.

Proper Technique - To get the most out of strength training and to reduce the chance of injury, use proper weight training techniques. These include working your muscles through their full range of motion (but not locking any joints), lifting at a speed at which you can control the weight and stop easily if necessary.

Protein - A compound composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen arranged into amino acids linked in a chain, responsible for building and repair of tissue, hormone production and enzyme function.

Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) - A type of chopped DC power where the width of the pulse is varied to control the average voltage (see "chopped DC power").

Pumped - Slang meaning the muscles have been made large by increasing blood supply to them through exercise.

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Quads - Abbreviation for quadriceps femoris muscles, located on top of the legs and consisting of four parts (heads).

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Range of Motion - Moving through a complete range of motion (ROM) allows the muscles to stretch before contraction and increases the number of muscle fibers being recruited. This produces maximum contraction and force. By working the full ROM, flexibility will be maintained and possibly increased.

Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA) - Percent or amount of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals that should be included in the daily diet. The estimated amount of all nutrients needed daily to maintain optimal health. These estimates vary for different conditions, ages, and disciplines.

Recovery Heart Rate - Heart rate measure taken at the conclusion of exercise, following the cool-down and stretch. The amount of time it takes to return the heart rate to pre-exercise levels is an indication of cardiovascular fitness.

Recumbent - Descriptive of a cycle position; the rider is sitting with legs extended in front. Recumbent cycling works all the muscles of the thighs and buttocks. It is an excellent exercise for people with high blood pressure since the elevated leg position facilitates blood circulation and reduces cardiovascular stress.

Rep Out - Repeat the same movement over and over until you are unable to do anymore.

Repetition - One complete movement of an exercise.

Repetition Maximum (RM) - This is the maximum number of repetitions per set that can be performed at a given resistance with proper lifting technique. Thus, a set at a certain RM implies the set is performed to momentary voluntary fatigue. 1RM is the heaviest resistance that can be used for one compete repetition of an exercise. 10 RM is a lighter resistance that allows completion of 10 (but not 11) repetitions with proper exercise technique.

Reps - Abbreviation for "REPETITIONS".

Rest Interval - Pause between sets of an exercise, which allows muscles to recover partially before beginning next set.

Rest Pause Training - Training method where you press out one difficult repetition, then replace bar in stands, then after 10-20 second rest, do another rep, etc.

Resting Heart Rate - The number of times the heart beats in one minute while the body is at rest. This is best calculated by measuring your pulse for one minute, in the morning before getting out of bed. Record this number for five consecutive days and take the average to determine your resting heart rate calculation.

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Safety Clip - A monitoring device attached to the exerciser's clothing and to the emergency stop switch on treadmills. If the exerciser stumbles, this device becomes disengaged and turns off the treadmill, allowing the belt to come to a stop.
 

Self-Powered Alternator - Select pieces of cardiovascular equipment feature a self-powered alternator that does not require the unit to be plugged into a wall outlet. This allows you to put your machine virtually anywhere without worrying where it will be plugged in.

Sets - A group of reps; as in one set of 12 reps.

Shin Splint - A term that applies to any pain in the front portion of the lower leg. May be caused by overuse, inflammation of muscles and tendons or small muscle tears.

Small Muscle Group Exercise - Single joint movement and isolation exercises (i.e. bicep curls, tricep pressdowns, and leg extensions).

Speed of Movement - Strength training movements should be slow and controlled. Do not use momentum to complete an exercise movement. Momentum puts unnecessary stress on tendons, ligaments and joints. Using momentum in your exercise movements does not develop increased strength.

Spot - Assist if called upon by someone performing an exercise.

Spot Reducing - A popular but false assumption that an individual can "burn" fat only in desired areas. Fat is not reduced selectively from exercised areas, but rather from total fat stored throughout the body.

Spotter - Person who watches a person closely to see if any help is needed during a specific exercise.

Sprain - An injury that's often the result of a sudden forceful movement, damaging ligaments as well as joints.

Static Stretch - Stretching/elongating a muscle and holding a steady point without bouncing for a period of 20 seconds.

Straight Sets - Groups of repetitions (SETS) interrupted by only brief pauses, (30-90) seconds.

Strain - Muscle pull; a stretch, tear or rip of the muscle or adjacent connective tissue, such as fascia or muscle tendon. Usually occurs from an excessive effort.

Strength - Amount of force a muscle or muscle group can exert against resistance.

Strength Training - Working the muscles against external resistance to increase muscular strength, muscular endurance or muscular power.

Super Set - Alternating back and forth between two exercises until the prescribed number of sets is completed.

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Target Heart Rate Zone - The heart rate range of a maximum number of heartbeats per minute for optimum aerobic fitness, as determined by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). The formula for obtaining a target heart rate equals 220 minus age x 60% to 85%, depending upon an individual's fitness goals and physical condition.
 

Telemetry - A wireless telemetric system consists of a wireless chest strap that transmits heart rate information and a receiver located in each cardio machine. The transmitted information is used to accurately display the users heart rate and control one of many machine processes (including, but not limited to speed, incline, etc.).

Tendon - A band or cord of strong, fibrous tissue that connects muscle to the bone.

Torque - The twisting force at the motor shaft that drives the rollers on a treadmill and pulls the belt. The amount of torque is one of the variables used to calculate the amount of horsepower required.

Total Body Workout - Total body workouts, as received from most ellipticals at A2Z Fit, involve exercising all the body's major muscle groups at once in order to derive a variety of benefits. These benefits include increases muscle tone in the upper and lower body, increased fat burning, heart rate endurance, etc.

Tracking - An adjustment or design consideration that is intended to keep the belt centered on the treadmill. Some manufacturers use belt "keepers" or metal rods on the underside of the frame to keep the belt centered. A disadvantage of this design is that keepers tend to fray the edges of the belt, since they are constantly rubbing against it when the treadmill is in motion. Rollers that are crowned, or tapered on the ends, are a much more effective way to keep the belt centered.

Training Straps - Cotton or leather straps around wrists, then under and over a bar held by clenched hands to aid in certain lifts (rowing, chin-ups, shrugs, dead lifts, cleans, etc.) where you might lose your grip before working muscle to desired capacity.

Training to Failure - Continuing a set until it is impossible to complete another rep without assistance.

Traps - Abbreviation for trapezius muscles, the largest muscles of the back and neck that draw head backward and rotate scapula.

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Universal Machine - One of several types of machines where weights are on tracks or rails and lifted by levers or pulleys.

Upper Abs - Abbreviation for abdominal muscles above the navel.

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Variable Resistance - Strength training equipment where the machine varies amount of weight being lifted to match strength curve for a particular exercise - usually with a cam, lever arm or hydraulic cylinder. Also referred to as "ACCOMMODATING RESISTANCE."

Vascularity - Increase in size and number of observable veins. Highly desirable in bodybuilding.

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Warm-Up - A balanced combination of increasingly intense aerobic exercises and stretches that prepare the body and the mind for more vigorous exercise.

Watts - The expression of the mechanical rate of work (power output) for a device, such as a cardiovascular machine.

Weight Training Belt - Thick leather belt used to support lower back. Used while doing squats, military presses, dead lifts, bent rowing, etc.

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