Workout Vocabulary

Workout Vocabulary

PLANK

Example: The plank is an excellent abdominal and core exercise. It works not only the rectus abdomens, but also the other ab muscles and the core muscles that run from the pelvis along the spine and up to the shoulder girdle.

Plank

PUSH UP

Example: The push up may just be the perfect exercise that builds both upper-body and core strength. Done properly, it is a compound exercise that uses muscles in the chest, shoulders, triceps, backs, abs, and even the legs.

Push Up

MOUNTAIN CLIMBER

Example: Mountain climbers are great for building cardio endurance, core strength and agility. You work several different muscle groups with mountain climbers- it’s almost like getting a total body work out with just one exercise.

Mountain Climber

LEG RAISES

Example: Lying leg raises are touted as a killer abs exercise- because they are working on abs more effectively. But your hip flexors actually reap some major benefits of this move, says Epperly. So don’t be surprised if your hips feel a bit of the burn during this one.

Leg Raises

SQUAT

Example: keep your head up, Torso straight, and your core engaged as you squat, sending your hips back and down.

Squat

JUMPING JACK

Example: Jumping jacks are an efficient total-body workout that you can do almost anywhere. This exercise is part of what’s called plyometrics, or jump training.

Jumping Jack

SIT UPS

Example: Sit ups are an excellent core muscle exercise that target your abdominal muscles, hip flexors and lower back.

Sit Ups

RUSSIAN TWIST

Example: The Russian twist is thought to be named after one of the exercises developed for soviet soldiers during the Cold War, though its popularity today makes it a universal exercise.

Russian Twist

LUNGE

Example: The lunge is a really solid go to move for strengthening all the major muscle groups in your lower half, including the glutes, quads, and hamstrings.

Lunge

BURPEE

Example: The burpee is a combination move consisting of a push up, squat thrust and a vertical jump. Although push up, squats and jumps all contribute to building muscle, the biggest strain while doing a burpee is on your heart.

Burpee

SHOULDER BRIDGE

Example: The shoulder bridge pilates exercise is a great exercise to mobilize the spine, work the glutes, hamstring, core and back muscles.

Shoulder Bridge

WALL SITS

Example: Just like functional training, the benefits of wall sits are endless! It is a super isometric exercise that engages your gluteal muscles, quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, back, chest, abs and hips.

Wall Sits

CALF RAISE

Example: The calf raise is an excellent place to start. It’s an easy exercise to do anywhere- you can knock out a set while brushing your teeth or waiting for the kettle to boil and strong calves are essential to strong running.

Calf Raise

FLUTTER KICKS

Example: Flutter kicks are an exercise that works the muscles of your core, specially the lower rectus abdominal muscles, plus the hip flexors.

Flutter Kicks

BICYCLE CRUNCHES

Example: The bicycle crunch is an effective ab exercise, reaching not only the usual abs but also the deep abs and the obliques. If you want to work your core, this air bicycle maneuver is a great choice.

Bicycle Crunches 

BOX JUMPS

Example: Box jumps are a quintessential plyometric move where you jump from the floor up onto an elevated surface, like a box.

Box Jumps