Aerobic Exercise
Aerobic exercise is any type of cardiovascular conditioning. It can include activities like brisk walking, swimming, running, or cycling. Also referred to as “cardio.” By definition, aerobic exercise means “with oxygen.” Your breathing and heart rate will increase during aerobic activities.
Alexander Technique
Method of re-educating the mind and body to improve movement. The focus is on applying the appropriate amount of energy for each activity in order to improve posture and balance and to eliminate stress-inducing habits.
Anaerobic
Opposite of aerobic exercise, anaerobic exercise — such as weightlifting and bodybuilding — involves muscular work that causes the body to use more oxygen than it takes in.
Applied Kinesiology
Study of muscles, especially the mechanics of human motion.
Aqua Aerobics
Aerobic exercises performed in a pool using the support and resistance of the water to burn fat, strengthen bones, and increase cardiovascular health and endurance. The buoyancy of the water greatly reduces the chance of injuring joints or muscles.
Body Conditioning
Any exercise program that focuses on overall conditioning of the body. A body-conditioning routine might combine exercises for strength and flexibility and use both strength-training equipment and floor exercises.
Body Sculpting
Fitness program using weight, flexibility, and endurance training, but not running or jumping, to shape hips, thighs, upper arms, and buttocks without creating bulk.
Bootcamp
Group physical training program designed to build strength and fitness through a variety of intense group intervals such as push-ups, planks, sit-ups and more.
Cardio
A class or piece of equipment such as a treadmill, elliptical or stationary bike designed to raise your heart rate.
Capoeira
Combination of acrobatics, dance, boxing, and martial arts invented by Brazilian slaves. Widely played in South America and gaining popularity in the United States.
Circuit Training
Exercise program utilizing six to ten exercises that are completed one after another on weight-resistance equipment to increase mobility, strength, and stamina. Each exercise is performed for a certain number of repetitions.
CrossFit
A form of high-intensity interval training, CrossFit is a strength and conditioning workout that is made up of functional movement performed at a high-intensity level.
Drumming
Rhythms and sounds used by spas to promote emotional and spiritual release. Drums may come from African, Middle Eastern, Native American and South American musical traditions.
Fitness Profile/Assessment
A test administered by a fitness instructor to evaluate aerobic capacity, flexibility, and strength, as well as resting heart rate, resting blood pressure, and body composition.
Gyrokinesis
A movement method that addresses the entire body, opening energy pathways, stimulating the nervous system, increasing range of motion, and creating functional strength through rhythmic, flowing movement sequences.
Gyrontonics
A form of mind/ body exercises similar to Pilates, emphasizing mobility versus Pilates which tends to focus more on stability; think of Gyro as yoga with resistance.
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
A system of cardio training with repeated short bouts of high-intensity exercise intervals combined with lower intensity intervals of active recovery.
Indoor Cycling
See "Spinning"
Kickboxing
Boxing techniques, basic kicks, and martial arts moves (all self-defense tactics) that give the upper and lower body an intense cardiovascular, aerobic, and body-toning workout.
Kinesiology
The study and science of human movement and how it relates to health. Differs from applied kinesiology, which is a system that aims to diagnose and treat disease throughout the body by testing and improving the strength of various muscles.
Kinesis
Takes traditional exercises (like chest press, lat pull, row) and combines them with functional movements (like reaching, squatting, bending) to develop balance, core/overall strength and flexibility.
Neuromuscular Integration
Bodywork and exercise system that focuses on the interaction between the central nervous system and the muscles of the body.
NIA (Neuromuscular Integrative Action)
Hybrid form that combines the grace and spontaneity of dance, the power and explosiveness of martial arts, and the stillness and concentration of yoga and tai chi in an energetic, low-impact full-body cardiovascular workout.
PADI
Professional Association of Diving Instructors; PADI courses are often offered by resorts to certify beginning scuba divers.
Pilates
pih-LAH-tees Body conditioning program meant to develop flexibility and strength via a system of controlled exercises. Developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 1900s, it can be performed on a mat or on specially designed equipment such as the Reformer or Cadillac.
Personal Training
Working with a specialist to assist in improving fitness level, tone and muscle conditioning.
Power Walking (also Race Walking)
Aerobic, energetic, exaggerated form of fast walking to maintain cardiovascular health, burn calories, and develop stomach, thigh, and buttock muscles.
Rock Wall
An indoor or outdoor structure with handholds that simulates a rock climbing experience.
Silent Hikes
Leisurely solo walk or guided journey in natural setting in which participants make as little sound as possible in order to connect with their surroundings.
Spinning
An indoor cycling class that focuses on endurance, strength, high intensity intervals, and recovery using a special stationary exercise bike with a weighted flywheel.
Step Aerobics
Low-impact aerobic activity performed by stepping on and off a platform that usually ranges from four to ten inches high to tone hips, legs, and buttocks.
Stretching
Extending and lengthening muscles slowly, then in a static manner when hitting resistance. Meant to increase flexibility and relieve stress by improving circulation, and facilitating blood flow to the muscles, heart, and brain.
TRX
A training method that develops strength, balance, flexibility and requires the use of TRX Suspension equipment that leverages gravity and the user's body weight to complete the exercises
Weight Training
Use of free weights or weight machines in a series of repetitive exercises meant both to tone the body and add or replace lean muscle mass and also to raise metabolism.
Zumba
An aerobic fitness program featuring movements inspired by various styles of Latin American dance and performed primarily to Latin American dance music.