Resistance Training Glossary of Terms

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Abdomen: The belly, that part of the body that contains all of the structures between the...

Abdominal: Relating to the abdomen, the belly, that part of the body that contains all of ...

Abdominal muscles: A large group of muscles in the front of the abdomen that assists in th...

Abs: Slang term for the abdominal muscles.

Aerobic: Oxygen-requiring. Aerobic bacteria need oxygen to grow. Aerobic exercise requires...

Aerobic exercise: Brisk exercise that promotes the circulation of oxygen through the blood...

Aging: The process of becoming older, a process that is genetically determined and environ...

Anatomy: The study of human or animal form, by observation or examination of the living be...

Anterior: The front, as opposed to the posterior. The anterior surface of the heart is tow...

Arms: An appendage in anatomy and in clinical trials. See: Arm.

Belly: That part of the body that contains all of the structures between the chest and t...

Biceps: A muscle that has two heads, or origins. There is more than one biceps muscle. The...

Blood pressure: The blood pressure is the pressure of the blood within the arteries. It is...

Breathing: The process of respiration, during which air is inhaled into the lungs through ...

Calcium: A mineral found mainly in the hard part of bones, where it is stored. Calcium is ...

Calf: The belly or fleshy hind part of the back of the leg below the knee. The calf is mad...

Catabolism: The energy-burning aspect of metabolism.

Chest: The area of the body located between the neck and the abdomen. The chest contains t...

Chin: Medically, the mentum. The lower portion of the face below the lower lip including t...

Contraction: The tightening and shortening of a muscle.

Deltoid: The muscle, roughly triangular in shape, that stretches from the collarbone (clav...

Elbow: The juncture of the long bones in the middle portion of the upper extremity. The bo...

Fatigue: A condition characterized by a lessened capacity for work and reduced efficiency ...

Fiber: The parts of fruits and vegetables that cannot be digested. Fiber is of vital impor...

Growth hormone: A hormone made in the pituitary gland that stimulates the release of anoth...

High blood pressure: A repeatedly elevated blood pressure exceeding 140 over 90 mmHg. Chro...

Hormone: A chemical substance produced in the body that controls and regulates the activit...

Injure: To harm, hurt, or wound. The word injure may be in physical or emotional sense. Fr...

Injury: Harm or hurt. To harm, hurt, or wound. The word injure may be in physical or emot...

Joint: The area where two bones are attached for the purpose of permitting body parts to m...

Knee: The knee is a joint which has three parts. The thigh bone (the femur) meets the lar...

Lateral: 1. In anatomy, the side of the body or a body part that is farther from th...

Leg: In popular usage, the part of the body from the top of the thigh down to the foot, an...

Limb: An arm or a leg.

Metabolic: Relating to metabolism, the whole range of biochemical processes that occur wit...

Microscopic: So small it cannot be seen without the aid of microscope. As opposed to macro...

Muscle: Muscle is the tissue of the body which primarily functions as a source of power. T...

Muscular: Having to do with the muscles. Also, endowed with above average muscle developme...

Osteoporosis: Thinning of the bones, with reduction in bone mass, due to depletion of calc...

Pound: A measure of weight that is equal to 16 ounces or, metrically, 453.6 grams. Abbrevi...

Progressive: Increasing in scope or severity, advancing, or going forward. For example, a ...

Protein: One of the three nutrients used as energy sources (calories) by the body. Protein...

Regenerate: To reproduce or renew something that was lost. For example, after an injury, t...

Resistance: Opposition to something, or the ability to withstand something. For example, s...

Shoulder: A structure made up of two main bones: the scapula (shoulder blade) and the hume...

Shoulder joint: The flexible ball-and-socket joint formed by the junction of the humerus...

Strain: 1. An injury to a tendon or muscle resulting from overuse or trauma. 2. A heredita...

Tension: 1) The pressure within a vessel, such as blood pressure: the pressure within t...

Testosterone: A "male hormone" -- a sex hormone produced by the testes that encourages th...

Triceps: The muscle that extends (straightens) the forearm. The triceps can be felt as the...

Tubes: The "tubes" are medically known as the Fallopian tubes. There are two Fallopian tub...

Vertical: In anatomy, upright. As opposed to horizontal.