Use this section as a reference tool to maximize your vocabulary . We realize that some of you are more advanced bodybuilding enthusiasts have already grasped the meaning of these terms but for others, an explanation of what they mean will take your knowledge base to higher level.

P

Partial Reps - Performing an exercise without going through a complete range of motion either at the beginning or end of a rep.

Peak Contraction - Exercise a muscle until it cramps using shortened movements.

Pecs - Abbreviation for pectoral muscles of the chest.

P.H.A. - Peripheral Heart Action; a system of training where you go from one exercise to another, with little or no rest, preferably alternating upper body and lower body exercises. Designed for cardiovascular training and to develop muscle mass.

Plates - The flat discs placed on the ends of barbell and dumbbell bars to increase the weight of the apparatus.

Phytoestrogens - Naturally occurring compounds found in plants and plant products, that are structurally and/or functionally related to natural estrogens or that produce estrogenic effects.

Plyometric Exercise - refers to those activities that enable a muscle to reach maximal force in the shortest possible of time.

Portion - The amount of carbohydrates or protein one should eat with each meal. A portion is roughly the size of the palm of your hand or your clenched fist.

Pose - Each individual stance that a bodybuilder does onstage in order to highlight his muscular development.

Pose Down - Bodybuilders performing their poses at the same time in a competition, trying to out pose one another.

Power Lifts - Three movements used in power-lifting competition: the squat, bench press and dead lift.

Power Lifting - Power-lifting is a strength sport, consisting of three events: the squat, the bench press, and the dead-lift. The maximum weight lifted in each event is totaled for a final score; lifters compete in bodyweight classes.

Power Training - System of weight training using low repetitions, heavy weights.

Progression - The act of gradually adding to the amount of resistance that you use in each exercise. Without consistent progression in your workouts, you won't overload your muscles sufficiently to promote optimum increases in hypertrophy.

Progressive Resistance - Method of training where weight is increased or the workout altered in a manner to elicit continued adaptations, the backbone of all weight training.

Proteins - Proteins are the building blocks of muscle, enzymes, and hormones. They are made up of amino acids and are essential for growth and repair in the body. A gram of protein contains four calories. Those from animal sources contain the essential amino acids. Those from vegetable sources contain some but not all of the essential amino acids. Proteins are broken up by the body to produce amino acids.

Pump - The tight, blood-congested feeling in a muscle after it has been intensely trained. Muscle pump is caused by a rapid influx of blood into the muscles to remove fatigue toxins. and replace supplies of fuel and oxygen. A good muscle pump indicates that you have optimally worked a muscle group.

Pumped - Slang meaning the muscles have been made large by increasing blood supply to them through exercise.

Pumping Iron - Phrase that has been in use since the 1950s, meaning lifting weights.