Walking into a gym can feel like entering a conversation where everyone agrees to use abbreviations, inside jokes, and occasional nonsense. RDL? EMOM? AMRAP? It’s a lot. So here’s your no-stress guide to 8 common gym movements and terms: what they sound like, what they actually are, and why they matter.
RDL vs Deadlift
Same family. Very different personalities. An RDL (Romanian Deadlift) is a controlled hip hinge where the weight stays closer to your body and
doesn’t fully reset on the floor. A deadlift starts from the ground each rep and is more explosive and total-body demanding. Translation: RDL = slow and controlled. Deadlift = pick it up like you mean it.
Push Press vs Strict Press
These two are shoulder cousins with different rules. A strict press is all upper body. No help, no bounce, just shoulders and control. A push press uses a slight dip and drive from the legs to help move the weight overhead.
Translation: Strict press = honesty. Push press = teamwork with your legs.
Squat
The most universal gym language. A squat is simply bending at the hips and knees to lower and stand back up, usually with weight involved.
Variations are endless, but the pattern is king. Translation: Sit down. Stand up. Get stronger.
AMRAP
Sounds like a robot. AMRAP stands for “As Many Rounds (or Reps) As Possible” in a set time. It’s a workout format that turns
pacing into strategy and suffering into math. Compete with yourself.
Translation: You vs the clock vs your decision-making skills.
EMOM
Also sounds like a robot, slightly more organized.
EMOM means “Every Minute On the Minute.” You perform a set amount of work at the start of each minute and rest for whatever time is left. Translation: Structured chaos with built-in recovery.
Farmer Carry
Simple name. Functional execution. The Farmer Carry is walking while holding heavy weights at your sides. It builds grip strength, core
stability, and full-body endurance. Our superstar client, Denise Rondini, summed it up perfectly: “During one training session, I asked Griffin how various exercises got their names. For example, ‘Why is this called the farmer’s carry? Maybe it should be called getting strong enough to carry your groceries home.’” Hard to argue with that logic, she loves these! Gym terms can feel like a second language at first, but they start to click quickly once you see them in action. And once they do, workouts feel less like decoding instructions and more like actually training. Which is the whole point, isn't it?
By Griffin Koch
