Bodybuilding dictionary – part III

Stop getting confused with many terms of bodybuilding! Here is the explanation of a few more of them so that you don’t get lost.

We have some more bodybuilding terms for you. Memorize these and be an expert.

Progressive overload

This is the principle which governs the muscle increase. Adding a higher load than what the muscle is used to lift, increases its responsiveness, and encourages it to build more muscle fibers in order to grow.

Pyramid

This is also one of several existing training techniques in body building. The pyramid can be ascending, increasing the load and decreasing the repetitions, throughout the exercise; or descending, that happens the other way around.

Repetitions

Every muscle contraction that make a move against resistance constitute a repetition. Depending on the type of exercise, the number of repetitions must be set.

Rest interval

Rest period that occurs between each set of exercises. Repetitions do not have rest between them (unless in very specific training techniques) and are made in sequence. Between series, the rest is mandatory and its duration will depend on the specific exercises you are doing.

It usually last between one to three minutes.

Routine

It is synonymous with the training program. It is the full description of what makes the workout: exercises, movements, reps or even the loads used.

Series

Every repetition that make an exercise. Series consist of a greater or lesser number of proportional to the difficulty of the exercise.

Superset

Switch repeatedly between two types of exercises until the set number of repetitions is completed.

Supplements

Food products that consist of a high concentration of vitamins, minerals and proteins that are used by bodybuilders as a way of improving their diet to help maximize the results of the training.

Stolen repetitions

Training technique in which the muscle can continue working beyond the point where it would be a failure.

Triset

Training technique used to challenge your muscles to grow, that alternate three different exercises repeatedly, until the number of repetitions of each be done.

Volume

It can be of high or low intensity. This term refers to the volume of training, i.e. the weight lifted during certain period of time, it can be from a single session, or the entire week of practice. To calculate, you simply multiply the load used by the total number of repetitions you did.