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Five tips for working through your weight loss plateau
September 24, 2017
AM vs PM
October 4, 2017
Can you talk the talk?
Breaking down the lingo you hear in the gym…
I think it’s safe to say we are all guilty of abbreviating words and phrases.
When it’s done in an environment we are familiar with, it’s very easy to know what means what.
acronyms that we aren’t sure on.
The gym is no exception to this.
So, with that in mind, I’m here to guide you through, and translate, some of that pesky gym lingo!
Okay, let’s start with the basics:
Reps (repetitions) – The number of times the movement is performed.
‘Keep going with those bicep curls, only fifty more reps to go.’
Sets– The amount of times you perform your reps.
‘Good work on those first fifty reps, only five more sets to go.’
‘Your biceps are looking kinda tired, need a spot on that last set?’
Breathe
(yes, seriously!) – Sometimes, when pushing towards the body’s limit, it feels instinctive to hold your breath. This can have a negative impact on your performance. Finding a breathing rhythm can help you maintain control and strength during a lift.‘Breathe, breathe, breathe!’
Squeeze (no, not your trainer’s neck for incessantly shouting breathe…) – You’ll often hear this midway through a set. The aim is to actively engage a muscle through squeezing; by doing this you can keep the focus of the exercise on the muscle it’s intended for which can lead to a more powerful lift.
‘Squeeze the biceps, squeeze the biceps!’
Well, there you have it. Now you know your reps from your sets.
By Mason Tustin
