Abduction = moving a limb away from the midline of the body. An example is moving an arm from the side of the body to shoulder height.
Adduction = moving a limb toward the midline of the body. An example is bringing the arm to the side from an extended position at the shoulder.
Aerobic Exercise = With Oxygen. Prolonged moderate intensity exercise that uses up oxygen at a rate at or below the the level that cardiorespiratory system can replenish it. Examples are running, walking, cycling, and swimming. Develops cardorespirotory fitness and is used to burn fat to achieve maximum defintion, but can be highly catabolic if done in excess.
Agonist = muscle that is contracting during a movement and which is primarily responsible for the movement of a certain bodypart.
Anerobic Exercise = higher intensity exercise than aerobic exercise which uses up oxygen more quickly than it can be replenished in the muscles. Bodybuilding is anerobic exercise and it burns up muscle glycogen to supply energy to the working muscles.
Antagonist = a muscle that counteracts the agonist. It lengthens when the agonist contracts.
Circuit Training = going form on exercise to another (10 to 20) as quickly as possible in a circuit around the gym, keeping the pulse rate high. A rest period of two to five minutes is taken and then the circuit is repeated for a planned number of times.
Compound Exercise = Also called a basic exercise. Multi-joint movement that involves a large number of muscles (and generally the largest muscle groups like thighs, back or chest) and enable you to lift the heaviest weights. Examples are squats, bench presses, deadlifts, and pull-ups.
Concentric Movement = the part of a movement where the muscle shortens or contracts. It is the lifting part of the exercise such as when you press a barbell from your chest. Also called the positive.
Eccentric Movement = the part of a movement where the muscle elongates. When you lower the weight back to the starting position. Also called the negative.