A glossary you can actually use
Accessory — Extra work after the main lifts (curls, laterals, face pulls). Useful in small doses. A 40-minute accessory block is a different programme.
CIMSPA — Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity. UK professional standards body you will see on PT CVs. See qualifications.
Compound lift — A movement that uses several joints: squat, hinge, press, row, pull-up. The core of our form page.
Deload — A planned easier week (or a 10% drop in load) so you can keep training instead of collecting injuries. Used in 5×5 and overload.
Deficit (calorie) — Eating less than you expend, on average. Guide. Not the same as “not eating after 6pm.”
Etiquette — How humans share three squat racks. Page.
Failure (muscular) — You cannot complete another clean rep. Training to failure every set is not required for beginners.
Full body — Each session trains the whole body. Our default: 3-day.
Goblet squat — Squat holding a dumbbell at the chest. Excellent teaching tool and a crowded-gym squat.
Hypertrophy — Muscle growth. Usually moderate reps, enough sets, enough protein.
Isolation — One joint, one job (leg extension, curl). Fine after compounds.
Level 2 / Level 3 — UK instructor vs personal trainer qualification bands. Level 3 is the usual PT minimum. Become a PT.
Overload (progressive) — Measurable increase in demand over weeks. Guide.
PPL — Push / pull / legs split. Guide.
Platform — Dedicated area for deadlifts / Olympic lifts. Rare in small budget sites; do not improvise on thin mats above a neighbour.
RDL — Romanian deadlift. Hip hinge with a slight knee bend; weight stays close to the legs.
REPS — Register of Exercise Professionals. Another register PTs mention; ask what it means for their insurance and CPD, not just the logo.
Selectorised — Machines with a pin in a weight stack. Also a type of adjustable dumbbell.
Spot — Help on a bench or squat so you can attempt a hard set without wearing the bar. Ask first.
Split — How you divide muscle groups across days (full body, PPL, upper/lower).
Work in — Share a piece of kit between sets. Ask; then be quick.
Related: Editorial standards · Workouts