For some people, the fitness industry is full of complicated jargon, and while it would take us forever to explain them all, here are some of the more popular anagrams and what they mean.
WOD
Workout of the Day.
Synonymous with CrossFit; it relates to a primary workout for that day that frequently involves multiple exercises.
AMRAP
As Many Reps As Possible
Basically, completing as many repetitions of an exercise as possible.
Also referred to as As Many Rounds As Possible, depending on the structure of the workout.
EMOM
Every Minute On The Minute
EMOM workouts challenge you to complete an exercise for a certain number of reps in less than 60 seconds. The remaining time within the minute serves as your recovery.
1RM
1 Rep Maximum
The maximum amount of weight you can lift for 1 rep.
LISS
Low-Intensity Steady State cardio.
LISS is where you perform the same type of exercise, at roughly the same intensity or speed over an extended period of time, typically 15mins+.
Example:
A 5k run on the treadmill - set the pace and off you go!
HIIT
High-Intensity Interval Training.
The basis of HIIT training is that you work at near maximal effort for a short period of time, followed by a period of rest where we can recover and repeat.
Example:
On the exercise bike, 'sprint' for 15 seconds, followed by 1-2 minutes of cycling at a very slow pace and then repeat for approximately 10 -15mins.
TABATA
Doesn't stand for anything, but is named after Izumi Tabata who authored the study that started the whole craze.
Tabata is a type of HIIT that follows a very specific training pattern, e.g. 20 seconds of intense workout with 10 seconds rest or 40 seconds of intense workout with 20 seconds rest for a set period of time involving multiple "stations" or exercises.
Example:
Push-ups (4 minutes)
Bodyweight Squats (4 minutes)
Burpees (4 minutes)
Mountain Climbers (4 minutes)
METCON
Metabolic Conditioning.
METCON is a method of training where repeated use of resistance or weight exercises achieves a cardio effect.
Example:
Squats x 8 reps, bent over row x 8 reps, shoulder press x 8 reps, kettlebell swing x 8 reps, this would be one round, and you would see how many times you can complete the round in 10 minutes.
