By Clarissa Hartley

The start of a new year always sees a surge in gym memberships. If you are intimidated by the strange pieces of equipment and mystifying terminology that pop up every time you walk into the fitness center, worry no longer. Here is your ultimate A-to-Z guide to help tackle these challenges, ensure you feel both confident and knowledgeable, and truly look the part.

Assault Exercise Bike

An assault exercise bike transcends your regular workout equipment by generating wind resistance as you pedal harder. The bike’s arm and leg action resembles cross-country skiing, making it a tremendously effective tool for fat loss, enhancing your speed and strength, and toning your body.

Bosu Balance Trainer

The Bosu Balance Trainer may resemble half a ball but wielding it could do wonders for your stability, coordination, calorie burn, and overall muscle engagement due to its unique design requiring precise control.

Cable-Based Stations

Cable-based stations, also called pulley machines, are the epitome of flexibility and functional strength training. Positioned at the heart of gyms worldwide, they allow you to customize the weight, angle, and height of attachments to suit your unique fitness needs.

DOMS: Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness

The term DOMS refers to the muscular discomfort you might experience 24-72 hours after a vigorous workout session, particularly when starting a new exercise program or increasing the intensity or duration of your regular fitness regime.

EPOC: Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption

Post workouts, your body falls into a state of EPOC or Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption. In simple words, your body works to replenish the oxygen levels it used up during the workout and burns extra calories in the process. High-intensity exercise typically generates a more significant EPOC effect.

Free Weights

Free weights, including barbells, dumbbells, and kettlebells, add an element of control and stability into your training session by maximizing your muscle engagement.

Gluteus Maximus: Your Glutes

Gluteus Maximus, popularly called ‘glutes,’ is a polite term for the muscles forming your bottom.

HIIT: High-Intensity Interval Training

HIIT workouts, involve periods of intense strength exertion, alternated with short recovery periods. This method can significantly increase your endurance, strength, and cardiovascular fitness.

IIFYM: If It Fits Your Macros

IIFYM, commonly known within the bodybuilding arena, stands for “If It Fits Your Macros”. It is a flexible dietary philosophy that allows you to fit your nutritional needs within the limits of your daily caloric intake, including proteins, carbs, and fats.

Jump Rope

Jump rope routines are an enjoyable and powerful way to burn calories, develop agility, and work the entire body. Mixed routines combining different movements can really bring the heat.

Kettlebell

A kettlebell, often cited as the ‘cannonball with handle,’ is a versatile piece or workout equipment known for its potential in various weight-lifting activities.

Lean Mass

Lean Mass, refers to the proportion of muscle mass you possess. Greater the lean muscle tissue, the higher your metabolic rate, ultimately leading to a stronger and leaner body.

Medicine Ball

Medicine balls, available in assorted weights and sizes, are ideal for explosive moves enhancing muscular power, sports performance, and getting your heart racing.

Neutral Grip

A neutral grip has your palms facing each other typically used during pull-ups. This can be tweaked to a pronated grip (palms facing down or towards the back) or a supinated grip (palms facing up or towards the front).

Olympic Lifting

Olympic lifts involving exercises like the deadlift, hang clean, snatch, and push press using barbells, burn plentiful calories and stimulate muscle fibers resulting in a lean, sculpted physique.

Prowler Sled

A prowler sled marries strength training and cardio by requiring you to push the sled to move forward. Pushing for specific distances or durations goes a long way in enhancing your strength and endurance.

Quadriceps: Quads

Quads are the bundle of muscles at the front of your thighs. Use leg extensions, squats, or lunges to target these muscles specifically.

Rowing Machine

Rowing isn’t all about the upper body; it can provide a comprehensive workout involving 65-75% leg work and 25-35% upper body involvement. Maintain an upright back and a powerful push from your legs for an effective rowing session.

SkiErg Machine

Imagine skiing without snow. A SkiErg machine mimics a skiing experience while providing a full-body workout and thereby, a significant calorie burn.

TRX: Total-Body Resistance Exercise

The TRX equipment invented by a former US Navy SEAL can turn every movement into a core challenge utilizing your body weight and gravity.

Unilateral Training

Unilateral training, working one side of the body, is ideal for maintaining body balance, especially if you’re dominant on one side. Specific exercises such as side planks, step-ups, single-arm rows, or single-leg squats cater to this need.

ViPR Weighted Movement Training

ViPR stands for Vitality, Performance, Reconditioning, and is a very adaptable piece of gym equipment designed to improve your overall strength and efficiency of movement.

Woodway Curve Treadmill

Woodway curve treadmills are self-powered and maintain greater traction as you move faster, providing a greater element of control in your running sessions.

X-Trainer: Elliptical Trainer

A cross-trainer emulates walking, running, and climbing stairs, providing an effective full-body, low-impact workout. Fiddle with the resistance to work those muscles even harder.

Yoga

Yoga can help enhance flexibility, relieve stress, and reduce anxiety. The ancient practice incorporates postures, breathing techniques, and meditation with most gyms offering classes, or turn to yoga apps to practice.

Zumba

Zumba, a Latin dance-inspired fitness class, is an enjoyable way to burn calories, improve coordination, engage your entire body, and form lasting friendships at the gym.

With this ultimate guide, hopefully, all those mysterious gym terms and daunting equipment seem a bit more familiar now. Remember, knowledge inspires confidence, and confidence propels action. Now, get your gym gear on and conquer that fitness floor!

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