195. Gym Lingo 101: Key Terms and Tips to Help You Feel Confident While Lifting

When it comes to the gym, it can almost feel like another planet with an entirely different language! Between the acronyms, weird phrases, and overly complicated terms, it’s no wonder you feel like you need a translator sometimes! In this episode, I’m breaking down common gym terms and lifting lingo in a way that actually makes sense. From reps and sets to volume and intensity, you’ll finally understand what the hell people mean when they say “progressive overload”, “time under tension”, “glute activation”, and more! **Spoiler alert: you DON’T need to increase your weight every week (and you shouldn’t). Honestly…if you just slow down more often, you’ll build more muscle AND boost the powerful mind-muscle connection (one of my favorite things to focus on)! The bottom line is, you don’t need to memorize every.single.term. to crush your workouts. But…I DO want you to feel empowered to ask questions, tweak your training when needed, and lift with confidence. The gym shouldn’t be a place that intimidates you. This is YOUR fitness journey that you can own + totally kick ass with!! In this episode, we cover: What reps, sets & volume mean + why they matter for your workouts Intensity & effort + what “failure” looks like 5 simple ways to gradually increase intensity over time Why “time under tension” can help you build more muscle Using tempo to boost your results & improve your form Understanding the concept of “movement mechanics” Why “mind-muscle connection” is the underrated gym secret that changes everything How supersets & circuits can spice up your workouts + save you time Various exercise formats like drop sets, AMRAP, EMOM, and more Common gym phrases that can sound confusing (but really aren’t) Links/Resources: Ep. 185 | Moving Vs. Training: The Truth About Body Recomp and RPE Join IT GIRL Community Membership Join FIT CLUB , my monthly membership with workouts you can do at home or the gym PRIVATE COACHING is my 1:1 program (choose 3 or 6 month option) Connect with me on Instagram @kristycastillofit and @unfuckyourfitnesspodcast so we can keep this conversation going-be sure to tag me in your posts and stories! Join my FREE Facebook group, Unf*ck Your Fitness Click HERE for my favorite fitness & life things! Send me a text with episode ideas or just to say hi! Support the show