Fitness and nutrition are full of jargon. Use this glossary to look up common terms you will find in our guides.
Aerobic exercise
Steady activity that uses oxygen for energy, such as walking, running, cycling or swimming.
Anaerobic exercise
Short, intense effort, such as sprinting or heavy lifting, where the body works without enough oxygen.
BMI (Body Mass Index)
A rough measure of body weight relative to height. It does not distinguish between muscle and fat.
BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate)
The energy your body uses at complete rest to keep you alive.
Calorie
A unit of energy found in food and drink and used by your body.
Cardio
Exercise that raises your heart rate and improves the fitness of your heart and lungs.
Cool-down
Easy movement and stretching at the end of a workout to help your body return to rest.
Electrolytes
Minerals such as sodium and potassium that help control fluid balance and muscle function.
HIIT
High-Intensity Interval Training: short bursts of hard effort followed by rest or easy recovery.
Macronutrients
The three main nutrients your body needs in large amounts: carbohydrates, protein and fat.
Max heart rate
The highest number of beats per minute your heart can reach during all-out effort.
Mobility
The ability to move a joint freely and with control through its full range of motion.
Reps and sets
A rep is one complete movement; a set is a group of reps done without rest.
Resting heart rate
Your heart beats per minute when you are fully at rest — usually lower in fitter people.
VO2 max
The maximum amount of oxygen your body can use during exercise — a key measure of aerobic fitness.