When you walk into a gym or scroll through fitness apps, you’re often bombarded with exercise lingo that can seem like a foreign language. Knowing the jargon not only helps you navigate workouts but also empowers your fitness journey. Today, we’re focusing on essential fitness words that start with the letter “P”.
Fitness Words That Start With P
1. Plank
Definition: A core exercise maintaining a push-up-like position.
Hold a plank for 30 seconds to tighten your abs.
2. Plyometrics
Definition: Exercises that involve rapid stretching and contracting muscles.
Add plyometrics to improve your jump height in basketball.
3. Protein
Definition: An essential nutrient for muscle repair and growth.
Eating protein after a workout speeds up recovery.
4. Pilates
Definition: A fitness system that improves flexibility and strength.
Include Pilates for better balance and core stability.
5. Push-up
Definition: A common bodyweight exercise that targets chest muscles.
Perform 20 push-ups to improve your upper body strength.
6. Pulse
Definition: The rate at which your heart beats per minute.
Your pulse is a key indicator of cardiovascular health.
7. Pedometer
Definition: Device that counts the number of steps taken.
With a pedometer, monitor your daily physical activity.
8. Pull-up
Definition: An upper-body exercise using a horizontal bar.
Incorporate pull-ups into your workout for back strength.
9. Powerlifting
Definition: A strength sport involving squat, bench, and deadlift.
Powerlifting routines can greatly increase your strength.
10. Progression
Definition: Gradual increase in workout intensity or volume.
A balanced progression reduces the risk of injury.
11. Pranayama
Definition: Breathing techniques used in yoga.
Pranayama exercises can reduce stress and enhance focus.
12. Pacing
Definition: Managing speed in cardiovascular workouts.
Good pacing will help you finish a long-distance run.
13. Palpitations
Definition: Abnormally rapid heartbeats.
If you experience palpitations, consult a healthcare professional.
14. Plyo Box
Definition: A box used for plyometric jump exercises.
A plyo box adds variety to leg training exercises.
15. Parallettes
Definition: Small gymnastic devices for upper-body workouts.
Parallettes are good for push-ups and dip variations.
16. Psoas
Definition: A muscle connecting the spine to the lower limbs.
A tight psoas can result in lower back pain.
17. PNF Stretching
Definition: Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation used for stretching.
PNF stretching can greatly improve your flexibility.
18. Proprioception
Definition: The ability to sense body position and movement.
Proprioception is vital for balance and coordination.
19. Plateau
Definition: A period where progress seems to stall.
Breaking a plateau often requires changing your routine.
20. Peptides
Definition: Short chains of amino acids.
Peptides can assist in muscle recovery and growth.
21. Perseverance
Definition: The quality of persisting in a task or goal.
Your perseverance in the gym will bring long-term results.
22. PliƩ
Definition: A ballet move that’s used in fitness for leg work.
A pliƩ is effective for targeting your inner thighs.
23. Pyramid Training
Definition: Weightlifting technique involving weight and rep changes.
Use pyramid training to push past your lifting limits.
24. Pre-workout
Definition: Supplement to boost energy before exercising.
Taking a pre-workout can elevate your gym performance.
25. Post-workout
Definition: Period after exercising, crucial for recovery.
A post-workout shake helps replenish lost nutrients.
26. Pronation
Definition: Inward roll of the foot during a step.
Avoid excessive pronation to reduce injury risks.
27. Plyo Push-up
Definition: A push-up involving a jumping element.
Add plyo push-ups for explosive upper-body strength.
28. Pecs
Definition: Short for pectoral muscles in the chest.
Work on your pecs for a broad-chested appearance.
29. Periodization
Definition: Structured training cycles to improve performance.
Periodization helps to prevent overtraining and burnout.
30. Peloton
Definition: Brand specializing in home exercise equipment.
A Peloton bike can bring the spin class to you.
31. Physique
Definition: The form or structure of one’s body.
A balanced diet improves your physique significantly.
32. Plyo Squat
Definition: A squat jump for explosive leg strength.
Incorporate plyo squats into leg day for variety.
33. Prowler Push
Definition: Sled push exercise for lower body strength.
A prowler push can be a brutal leg workout.
34. Passive Stretch
Definition: Stretching aided by an external force or object.
A passive stretch can improve your range of motion.
35. Press
Definition: Lifting weight from the shoulders upwards.
A shoulder press helps with upper-body development.
36. Pallof Press
Definition: Anti-rotational exercise to work the core.
The Pallof press is a subtle but effective core move.
37. Paradoxical Breathing
Definition: Abnormal breathing pattern, often stress-induced.
Practice diaphragmatic breathing to fix paradoxical breathing.
38. Pin Loaded Machines
Definition: Weight machines with a selectable pin for resistance.
Pin-loaded machines are user-friendly for beginners.
39. Peak Heart Rate
Definition: Maximum number of heartbeats per minute.
Reaching your peak heart rate boosts cardiovascular fitness.
40. Prehab
Definition: Exercises to prevent potential injuries.
Incorporate prehab to minimize future injury risk.
41. Pistols
Definition: Single-leg squats that require balance.
Incorporate pistols for unilateral leg strength.
42. Pull
Definition: The act of drawing weight towards you.
A lat pull targets the upper back effectively.
43. Pulsing
Definition: Small, quick movements in various exercises.
Adding pulsing in squats increases muscle tension.
44. Power Yoga
Definition: A faster, high-intensity style of yoga.
Power yoga offers both stretching and calorie-burning.
45. Pump
Definition: Temporary muscle enlargement from blood flow.
Getting a pump is a sign of a good workout.
46. Pec Fly
Definition: Exercise to isolate the pectoral muscles.
A pec fly can add a definition to your chest.
47. Pause Reps
Definition: Pausing briefly during a repetition.
Use pause reps to bust through strength plateaus.
48. Pronated Grip
Definition: Grip with palms facing away from you.
A pronated grip can be tougher on the wrists.
49. Par-Q
Definition: Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire for health assessment.
Fill out a Par-Q before starting any fitness regimen.
50. Pelvic Tilt
Definition: Movement of the pelvis in different directions.
A posterior pelvic tilt can alleviate some back issues.
Explore A-Z Fitness Words:
A – B – C – D – E – F – G – H – I – J – K – L – M – N – O – P – Q – R – S – T – U – V – W – X – Y – Z