Gym Jargon
by Maia Appleby

Anyone new to weightlifting might feel intimidated when people at the gym use terms they don't understand. Here's a glossary defining some of the most common:

Abductors Hip muscles that bring the legs out to the sides of the body.

Abs General term for the abdominal (tummy) muscles, which includes the upper and lower abs, and the internal and external obliques.

Achilles tendon Connects the calf to the heel.

Adductors Muscles that bring the legs in toward the body (opposite of abductors).

Atrophy The muscular result of ignoring the "use it or lose it" mantra.

Biceps Muscles located on the front of the upper arm

Cardiovascular Exercise that raises the heart rate and burns fat, like walking, running, bicycling and swimming.

Curl Any exercise that involves bending at a joint to bring a weight closer to the body.

Delts (deltoids) Shoulder muscles.

Extension Any exercise that involves straightening at a joint to bring a weight further from the body.

Free weights Dumbbells, barbells, ankle weights, etc.

Glutes (gluteals) General term for the buttock muscles, including the gluteus minimus, medius and maximus.

Hamstrings Muscles located on the back of the thighs.

Lats Back muscles.

Obliques Muscles at the sides of the abdomen.

Pecs (pectorals) Chest muscles.

Quads (quadriceps) Muscles located on the front of the thighs.

Rectus Abdominus Largest abdominal muscle, often called the "upper abs".

Rep One repetition of a weight lifting move.

Set A group of repetitions in a weight lifting routine.

Triceps Y-shaped group of muscles located on the back of the arm.

Weight bearing exercise Exercise that involves bearing one's own weight, like walking or using an elliptical trainer.