fitness terminology- what does it all mean?! |
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When it comes to health and fitness many people and health brands/companies use so much ‘terminology’ that so many people don’t really understand properly or even at all! By terminology I mean the words and phrases out there that to some people could mean a variety of different things.
I know when I first got into healthy eating and exercise I was like ‘whaaaat?!’. Some things just didn’t make sense at all and hadn’t been explained to me properly and some things quite honestly just sounded pretty alien to me.
I have compiled a list of the top words and phrases that I think need explaining in a little more detail…
I know when I first got into healthy eating and exercise I was like ‘whaaaat?!’. Some things just didn’t make sense at all and hadn’t been explained to me properly and some things quite honestly just sounded pretty alien to me.
I have compiled a list of the top words and phrases that I think need explaining in a little more detail…
Pre-workout
Sounds simple enough right?!
So many people think that pre-workout is limited to the powders and shakes you have heard of.
Pre-workout is defined as the energy source you consume prior to a workout to fuel you- whether it be food, drink or a powder.
For plenty of energy I would advise eating or drinking something before exercising. I often enjoy some fruit or something quite ‘carby’ before endurance or HIIT training. The carbohydrates in fruit break down and absorb quickly.
If I’m hitting the gym for a weights session I tend to have a protein rich energy source, like chicken.
So many people think that pre-workout is limited to the powders and shakes you have heard of.
Pre-workout is defined as the energy source you consume prior to a workout to fuel you- whether it be food, drink or a powder.
For plenty of energy I would advise eating or drinking something before exercising. I often enjoy some fruit or something quite ‘carby’ before endurance or HIIT training. The carbohydrates in fruit break down and absorb quickly.
If I’m hitting the gym for a weights session I tend to have a protein rich energy source, like chicken.
Post-workout
The definition of post workout is simple- consuming an energy source after a workout to replenish and repair your torn muscles.
A protein shake is a good way to get your post-workout in straight after a workout.
However, I believe that food is the better option for post-workout fuel. Try and source this from whole foods and a combination of protein and carbohydrates.
A protein shake is a good way to get your post-workout in straight after a workout.
However, I believe that food is the better option for post-workout fuel. Try and source this from whole foods and a combination of protein and carbohydrates.
Healthy Fats
Yes, this simply means healthy fats. And yes, there is such a thing as healthy fats.
Fat is essential in our diets to produce good cholesterol, reduce bad cholesterol and protect our organs. Add foods such as avocados, raw nuts, oily fish and plant based cooking oils (coconut oils is my favourite!) to get those healthy fats into your bodies!
Fat is essential in our diets to produce good cholesterol, reduce bad cholesterol and protect our organs. Add foods such as avocados, raw nuts, oily fish and plant based cooking oils (coconut oils is my favourite!) to get those healthy fats into your bodies!
Form
You hear this word all the time when people are speaking about exercising- phrases such as ‘good form’ or ‘do this exercise whilst maintaining form’. But, what is form??
The definition of this is the way you carry out an exercise. Correct form should be your priority before adding weights or increasing intensity in exercises. You need to ensure your posture is correct and engaging the correct muscles to prevent injuries.
The definition of this is the way you carry out an exercise. Correct form should be your priority before adding weights or increasing intensity in exercises. You need to ensure your posture is correct and engaging the correct muscles to prevent injuries.
Active Recovery
Active recovery also known as ‘active rest’ is a break you take during training but still doing things that benefit your body. This can be used during a workout session itself or over the course of time if you are taking a break from intense training. For example, you could play a sport or do some flexibility work. You are not training per se, but you are still getting the benefit of activity.
Body Fat
Body fat is the percentage of your body that isn’t lean muscle, water, bones or vital organs. This is a term that is used A LOT in the health and fitness industry as it is one of the best measures of your fitness and health levels.
Interval Training
Interval training is a workout session that involves repeated short, fast-paced bouts of exercise with short rest intervals. HIIT- High Intensity Interval Training is probably the most popular variation of this.
There are so many more words and phrases that people don’t fully understand and I could write about so many more!!
I would like to hear from you guys though…is there anything you don’t understand and would like explaining? Let me know in the comments and I will do my best to answer!
If I get lots of questions I will do a part 2 post!!
Thanks for reading!
Much love
Amie xx
There are so many more words and phrases that people don’t fully understand and I could write about so many more!!
I would like to hear from you guys though…is there anything you don’t understand and would like explaining? Let me know in the comments and I will do my best to answer!
If I get lots of questions I will do a part 2 post!!
Thanks for reading!
Much love
Amie xx