Fitness Glossary

Aerobic

With oxygen, or in the presence of oxygen.

Aerobic Exercise

A method of conditioning the cardiorespiratory system by performing an activity that uses large muscle groups, is rhythmic, elevates the heart rate for a period of time, and increases the intake of oxygen.

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

The energy requirements necessary for maintenance of life processes such as heart beat, breathing and cell metabolic activities.

Biomechanics and Ergonomics

Biomechanics is the mechanical study of living beings. In the case of fitness equipment, it is the study of the exercise machines effect on the person, and the person's effect on the machine. Ergonomics are sometimes called "human factors" where the overall aim is to ensure that our knowledge of human characteristics is brought to bear on practical problems of people at work and in leisure. In the case of a treadmill, it may mean things like ensuring buttons do what you think they will, the heart rate sensors are placed in a thoughtful manner, and the cupholders are placed in convenient locations.

Calorie

The amount of energy necessary to raise the temperature of 1 liter of water 1° C. Also called a kilocalorie.

Carbohydrate

Organic compounds containing carbon, hydrogen and oxygen; when broken down, a major energy source for muscular work and one of the basic foodstuffs.

Cardiac

Pertaining to the heart.

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.

Cool-Down

Rhythmic, low-intensity aerobic activities that provide a transition period between high-intensity aerobic work and less aerobically taxing calisthenics, stretching or the end of the workout.

Cross-Training

Engaging in a variety of physical activities and exercise modalities including both cardiovascular and strength training exercises; a training method that can be used to help minimize boredom, maintain motivation and prevent overuse syndrome.

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.

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

A diminished capacity for work as a result of prolonged or excessive exertion or inadequate fuel.

Flexibility

The range of motion around a joint.

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 beats in 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 workouts. It eliminates over and under training by taking the guesswork out of exercising, keeping users motivated and on the right track to achieve their fitness goals.

Intensity

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

Interval Training

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

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).

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.

Metabolism

The sum total of the chemical reactions in the body at rest or during exercise.

MET

The expression of the rate of work (power output) for the human body at rest, or a metabolic equivalent. One MET is approximately equal to a person's metabolism when seated and relaxed.

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.

Perceived Exertion

A self-selected subjective measurement of an exerciser's overall level of intensity, usually described on a scale of 1 to 10 (very, very easy to extremely hard).

Physical Fitness

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

Power

Quick movement where the body is propelled either upward or outward; explosive strength; performance of work accomplished per unit of time.

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.

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 disease processes.

Recovery Heart Rate

Heart rate taken at the end of exercise after cool-down and stretch. The amount of time it takes to recover to pre-exercise heart rate is an indication of cardiovascular health.

Reps

Abbreviation for repetitions. One complete exercise that includes both concentric and eccentric movements.

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.

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.

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.

Sprain

Often the result of sudden forceful movement, injury that damages ligaments as well as joints.

Static Stretch

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

Target Heart Rate Zone

The number of heartbeats per minute reflecting the exercise intensity that gains the maximum training benefits from an aerobic workout. The formula for obtaining a target heart rate equals 220 minus your age x 60% - 85%, depending on the individual's fitness goals and physical condition. Also referred to as Training Heart Rate Zone.

Telemetry

A wireless telemetry 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 interactive heart rate programs (Heart Rate Zone Training) on Life Fitness cardio machines that automatically control the machines resistence or elevation to keep the user in their target heart rate zone.The process by which the heart rate is transmitted from a heart rate monitor chest strap to a receiver on a piece of cardiovascular equipment or in a wristwatch receiver.

Total Body Workout

Total body workouts, like on Life Fitness total-body elliptical cross-trainers, 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 simultaneously, burning a greater number of calories in a shorter period of time than with exercise that works only the lower body, and a lower perceived exertion level while exercising since the work is being distributed over a greater portion of the body.

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.