Fitness Dictionary·80
Coach Mac
NPTI Diploma · 12+ years coaching
Every term that actually moves the needle.
80 plain English definitions for training, nutrition, recovery, and supplements. No fluff. No bro science. The truth in two sentences.
80
Terms
06
Categories
A–Z
Indexed
Today
Term of the day
Fresh daily
Nutrition
Caloric Deficit
Eating fewer calories than you burn, causing fat loss.
80 of 80
1
01
5
01
A
03
- Active RecoveryRecoveryLow-intensity movement on off days to promote blood flow and recovery.
- AMRAP (As Many Reps As Possible)TrainingA set performed to technical failure, repping until you cannot continue.
- AutoregulationTrainingAdjusting daily training based on how you feel, using tools like RPE or velocity.
B
06
- Back MusclesAnatomyThe muscles of the upper and lower back that drive pulling and spinal support.
- BCAA (Branched Chain Amino Acids)SupplementsLeucine, isoleucine, and valine — three amino acids marketed for muscle recovery.
- Beta-AlanineSupplementsA non essential amino acid that buffers acid in muscle, delaying fatigue.
- Body RecompositionNutritionLosing fat and gaining muscle simultaneously, usually at maintenance calories.
- BodybuildingTrainingTraining and dieting specifically to maximize muscle size, symmetry, and leanness.
- BulkingNutritionA muscle building phase eaten in a slight calorie surplus paired with progressive overload.
C
10
- Caloric DeficitNutritionEating fewer calories than you burn, causing fat loss.
- Caloric SurplusNutritionEating more calories than you burn, supporting muscle growth.
- Cardio ZonesCardioHeart rate ranges used to target specific aerobic adaptations.
- Citrulline MalateSupplementsAn amino acid that boosts nitric oxide, improving blood flow and endurance.
- Cold TherapyRecoveryIce baths, cold showers, or cryotherapy used to reduce inflammation and soreness.
- Compound LiftTrainingA multi joint exercise that trains several muscle groups at once.
- ConcentricTrainingThe shortening phase of a rep, where the muscle contracts to move the load.
- CoreAnatomyThe muscles that stabilize the spine and pelvis — abs, obliques, lower back, and deep stabilizers.
- CreatineSupplementsThe most researched supplement, proven to increase strength and muscle volume.
- CuttingNutritionA deliberate fat loss phase eaten in a calorie deficit while training hard to preserve muscle.
D
04
- DeloadRecoveryA planned light week to recover from accumulated training fatigue.
- DeltoidsAnatomyThe three heads of the shoulder muscle — front, side, and rear.
- DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness)RecoveryMuscle soreness peaking 24–72 hours after an unfamiliar or hard workout.
- Drop SetTrainingReducing weight mid set to extend the set past initial failure.
E
01
F
06
- Fasted TrainingTrainingLifting on an empty stomach, usually first thing in the morning.
- FiberNutritionThe indigestible carbohydrate that supports digestion, satiety, and metabolic health.
- Foam RollingRecoverySelf massage using a foam cylinder to release muscle tension and improve mobility.
- Form / TechniqueTrainingThe specific body position and movement pattern used to perform an exercise.
- Form FailureTrainingThe point in a set where you cannot perform another rep with correct technique.
- Functional TrainingTrainingExercises that mimic real world movement patterns and improve everyday performance.
G
02
H
04
- HamstringsAnatomyThe three muscles on the back of the thigh that extend the hip and flex the knee.
- HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training)CardioShort, all out efforts alternated with brief rest periods.
- HydrationNutritionMaintaining adequate fluid balance for performance, recovery, and health.
- HypertrophyTrainingThe growth of muscle fiber size in response to resistance training.
I
03
L
03
- Lats (Latissimus Dorsi)AnatomyThe large back muscles that pull the arm down and in — key for the V-taper look.
- LeucineNutritionThe branched chain amino acid that triggers muscle protein synthesis.
- LISS (Low-Intensity Steady State)CardioLong, easy cardio sessions at a conversational pace — typically walking or light cycling.
M
09
- Macros (Macronutrients)NutritionProtein, carbs, and fat — the three nutrients that supply calories.
- Meal PrepNutritionPreparing meals in advance to ensure consistent nutrition throughout the week.
- Metabolic StressTrainingThe burn and pump from accumulating lactate and metabolites in a working muscle.
- MicronutrientsNutritionVitamins and minerals required in small amounts for health, energy, and performance.
- Mind Muscle ConnectionTrainingConsciously focusing on the target muscle to improve activation during a lift.
- MobilityRecoveryActive control of a joint through its full range of motion.
- Muscle Protein Synthesis (MPS)NutritionThe biological process of building new muscle tissue from dietary protein.
- Muscular FailureTrainingThe point at which a muscle cannot complete another full rep, even with maximum effort.
- Myo-RepsTrainingAn efficient rest pause method for building volume quickly on isolation exercises.
N
01
O
01
P
07
- PeriodizationTrainingStructuring training into planned cycles of volume and intensity to peak at the right time.
- Posterior ChainAnatomyThe muscles along the back of your body — glutes, hamstrings, lower back, and upper back.
- PowerliftingTrainingA strength sport focused on the squat, bench press, and deadlift.
- Pre-WorkoutSupplementsA supplement taken before training to boost energy, focus, and pump.
- Progressive OverloadTrainingGradually increasing training demand to force ongoing adaptation.
- Protein IntakeNutritionHow much protein you eat per day, the most important macro for muscle.
- Pull-UpTrainingA bodyweight pulling exercise where you lift your chin above a bar from a dead hang.
Q
01
R
06
- Range of Motion (ROM)TrainingHow far a joint travels through a rep — full ROM trains the muscle hardest.
- RefeedNutritionA planned high-carb day during a cut to restore glycogen and leptin.
- Rest PeriodTrainingThe time between working sets, which controls recovery and training intensity.
- Reverse DietNutritionGradually increasing calories after a cut to restore metabolism without rapid fat regain.
- Romanian Deadlift (RDL)TrainingA hip-hinge exercise that stretches the hamstrings under load with minimal knee bend.
- RPE (Rate of Perceived Exertion)TrainingA 1–10 scale of how hard a set felt, used to autoregulate training.
S
03
T
05
- TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure)NutritionThe total calories you burn in a day, including training and daily activity.
- TempoTrainingThe prescribed speed of each phase of a rep, written as four numbers.
- Time Under Tension (TUT)TrainingThe total seconds a muscle is loaded during a set.
- Training SplitTrainingHow muscle groups are distributed across the week's workouts.
- Training VolumeTrainingThe total work performed in a session or week — usually sets × reps × weight.
V
01
W
02
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