Fitness Terms Glossary
A plain-language guide to common fitness and coaching terms to help you feel informed and confident on your journey.
Book Your Free ConsultationPersonal Training
One-to-one coached exercise sessions tailored to an individual's goals, fitness level, and lifestyle. A personal trainer designs your programme, teaches correct technique, and provides accountability and motivation.
Fitness Coaching
A broader support relationship that includes training guidance, nutrition advice, habit coaching, goal setting, and accountability. Fitness coaching addresses the whole lifestyle rather than just the workout itself.
Progressive Overload
The principle of gradually increasing the challenge of exercise over time to continue stimulating fitness adaptations. This can involve increasing weight, repetitions, sets, or reducing rest time.
Body Composition
The proportion of fat mass to lean mass in the body. Improving body composition typically means reducing body fat while maintaining or increasing muscle mass, rather than simply losing weight on the scale.
Metabolic Rate
The rate at which the body burns calories. Resting metabolic rate refers to the calories burned at rest. Strength training increases muscle mass and therefore increases resting metabolic rate over time.
Sarcopenia
The natural decline in muscle mass that occurs with ageing. It typically begins around age 30 and accelerates after 50. Strength training is the most effective intervention to prevent and reverse sarcopenia.
Perimenopause
The transitional phase leading up to menopause, typically beginning in the 40s. Hormonal changes during perimenopause can affect energy, body composition, sleep, and exercise recovery, making appropriate coaching especially valuable.
HIIT
High Intensity Interval Training. A training method alternating short bursts of intense effort with periods of rest or lower intensity. Effective for cardiovascular fitness and calorie burning in short time periods.
Resistance Training
Exercise that uses resistance, such as weights, bands, or bodyweight, to create muscular effort. Also known as strength training or weight training. Essential for building muscle, improving bone density, and supporting metabolic health.
Mobility Training
Exercises designed to improve the range of motion of joints and the surrounding muscles. Regular mobility work reduces stiffness, improves posture, prevents injury, and supports functional movement in everyday life.
Macro Nutrients
The three primary categories of nutrients in food: protein, carbohydrates, and fats. Each plays a distinct role in supporting energy, muscle building, recovery, and overall health. Nutrition coaching helps women understand their macronutrient needs.
Accountability Coaching
A coaching approach focused on helping clients stay consistent with their commitments through regular check-ins, goal tracking, and supportive feedback. Accountability is one of the most effective behavioural tools for long-term fitness success.
Habit Coaching
A coaching method focused on identifying, building, and maintaining small consistent behaviours that support health and fitness goals. Habit coaching addresses the root causes of inconsistency rather than relying on willpower.
12-Week Transformation Programme
A structured coaching programme typically spanning 12 weeks that combines training, nutrition guidance, and lifestyle support to create meaningful, measurable physical and mental transformation.
Online Coaching
A fitness coaching model delivered remotely through digital communication, including video calls, messaging platforms, and app-based programming. Online coaching provides professional support with greater flexibility than in-person sessions.
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