Not sure how to pronounce brachioradialis, gastrocnemius or semimembranosus? This glossary focuses on 50 harder-to-pronounce terms covered in the IFPA PFT slides, including 22 muscle names. Straightforward terms have been left out so you can focus your practice. Search for a term, read its plain-English meaning and tap Listen to practise saying it. It is a study companion for aspiring personal trainers and IFPA PFT learners, not a test of your accent.
Search 50 fitness terms and muscle names
CAPITAL letters mark the stressed syllables in each written guide. These are approximate English respellings, not IPA. Accepted accents and pronunciations can differ.
Filter instantly by muscle name, meaning, exercise or abbreviation. Terms are alphabetical within each category.
Audio is computer-generated using a voice available on your device, not a human recording. Technical words may sound different between voices; use the written guide and dictionary references alongside it. Tap Listen to start. No microphone is needed.
Muscle names (22)
BY-seps BRAY-kee-eye
The two-headed muscle at the front of the upper arm; it bends the elbow and turns the palm upwards.
In context: A curl uses the biceps brachii to bend the elbow.
BY-seps FEM-uh-riss
A hamstring muscle on the outer back of the thigh.
In context: The biceps femoris contributes to knee flexion.
bray-kee-AL-iss
An elbow-bending muscle underneath the biceps brachii.
In context: The brachialis works during a hammer curl.
bray-kee-oh-ray-dee-AL-iss
A forearm muscle that helps bend the elbow.
In context: A neutral-grip curl involves the brachioradialis.
ih-REK-tur SPEE-nee
A group of muscles alongside the spine that helps extend and support the back.
In context: The erector spinae helps control trunk position during a hip hinge.
ek-STUR-nuhl oh-BLEEK
A superficial muscle on each side of the abdomen, involved in trunk rotation and support.
In context: The external obliques help control a rotating trunk.
gas-trok-NEE-mee-uhs
The prominent two-headed calf muscle that crosses the knee and ankle.
In context: The gastrocnemius helps point the foot downwards and bend the knee.
GLOO-tee-uhs MAK-sih-muhs
The large buttock muscle that helps extend and externally rotate the hip.
In context: The gluteus maximus contributes to rising from a squat.
in-TUR-nuhl oh-BLEEK
An abdominal muscle beneath the external oblique that helps rotate and bend the trunk.
In context: The internal obliques contribute to trunk control during a carry.
luh-TISS-ih-muhs DOR-sye
A broad back muscle that draws the upper arm down and backwards; often called the lats.
In context: A lat pulldown involves the latissimus dorsi.
pek-tuh-RAL-iss MAY-jer
The large chest muscle that brings the upper arm towards and across the body.
In context: The pectoralis major contributes to a chest press.
pek-tuh-RAL-iss MY-ner
A smaller chest muscle beneath pectoralis major that connects ribs to the shoulder blade.
In context: The pectoralis minor helps position the scapula.
REK-tuhs FEM-uh-riss
A quadriceps muscle that crosses the hip and knee, helping bend the hip and straighten the knee.
In context: The rectus femoris is one of the four quadriceps muscles.
ROM-boydz
Upper-back muscles between the spine and the shoulder blades.
In context: The rhomboids help draw the shoulder blades towards the spine.
sem-ee-mem-bruh-NOH-suhs
A hamstring muscle on the inner back of the thigh.
In context: The semimembranosus helps bend the knee and extend the hip.
sem-ee-ten-dih-NOH-suhs
A hamstring muscle with a long tendon on the inner side of the knee.
In context: The semitendinosus contributes to a hamstring curl.
tib-ee-AY-liss an-TEER-ee-ur
The muscle at the front of the shin that helps lift the foot towards the shin.
In context: The tibialis anterior works when you lift your toes off the floor.
trans-VUR-suhs ab-DOM-ih-niss
The deepest broad abdominal muscle, with fibres running around the trunk.
In context: The transversus abdominis contributes to abdominal-wall tension.
truh-PEE-zee-uhs
A large upper-back and neck muscle with different regions that move and stabilise the shoulder blades.
In context: A shrug involves the upper trapezius.
TRY-seps BRAY-kee-eye
The three-headed muscle at the back of the upper arm that straightens the elbow.
In context: The triceps brachii works during a cable pushdown.
VAS-tuhs lat-uh-RAL-iss
The quadriceps muscle on the outer front of the thigh that helps straighten the knee.
In context: The vastus lateralis works during a leg extension.
VAS-tuhs mee-dee-AL-iss
The quadriceps muscle on the inner front of the thigh that helps extend the knee.
In context: The vastus medialis is active when standing up from a chair.
Bones and landmarks (5)
SUR-vih-kuhl
In spinal anatomy, relating to the neck region.
In context: The cervical spine is the neck portion of the spine.
KOK-siks
The small tailbone at the bottom of the spine.
In context: The coccyx sits below the sacrum.
puh-TEL-uh
The kneecap, a bone at the front of the knee.
In context: The patella moves as the knee bends and straightens.
SKAP-yuh-luh
The shoulder blade.
In context: A trainer may observe how the scapula moves during a row.
thuh-RASS-ik
Relating to the chest; in spinal anatomy, the upper and middle back region.
In context: Thoracic rotation refers to turning through this part of the spine.
Movement and contractions (2)
dor-see-FLEK-shuhn
Movement at the ankle that brings the top of the foot towards the shin.
In context: Bringing your toes upwards demonstrates ankle dorsiflexion.
PLAN-tur-FLEK-shuhn
Movement at the ankle that points the foot downwards, away from the shin.
In context: Rising onto the balls of the feet involves plantarflexion.
Physiology and metabolism (5)
uh-SEE-til koh-AY
Acetyl coenzyme A, a molecule that connects several pathways involved in energy metabolism.
In context: Acetyl-CoA enters the citric acid cycle.
al-VEE-uh-lye
Tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange takes place.
In context: Oxygen passes from the alveoli into the blood.
KREE-uh-teen FOS-fayt
A compound stored in muscle that helps rapidly regenerate ATP, also called phosphocreatine.
In context: Creatine phosphate supports rapid energy delivery at the start of a hard effort.
glye-KOL-ih-sis
A sequence of reactions that breaks down glucose and produces ATP.
In context: Glycolysis contributes energy during exercise.
hye-per-PLAY-zhuh
An increase in the number of cells in a tissue.
In context: Hyperplasia refers to cell number, rather than cell size.
Screening and injuries (7)
ay-simp-tuh-MAT-ik
Having no noticeable symptoms of a condition.
In context: Asymptomatic does not necessarily mean a person has no health condition.
kar-dee-oh-PUL-muh-ner-ee
Relating to the heart and lungs.
In context: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is usually abbreviated to CPR.
kon-droh-muh-LAY-shuh
Abnormal softening of cartilage; the term can refer to cartilage beneath the kneecap.
In context: Chondromalacia is a clinical term, not a diagnosis a trainer should make.
fib-rih-LAY-shuhn
Rapid, disorganised muscle-fibre activity; often used in the names of heart-rhythm conditions.
In context: Atrial fibrillation is a heart-rhythm condition.
hye-poh-glye-SEE-mee-uh
Low blood glucose; also spelled hypoglycaemia.
In context: Hypoglycemia may appear in a client's diabetes care information.
oss-tee-oh-puh-ROH-sis
A condition in which bones become more fragile and more likely to fracture.
In context: Osteoporosis is relevant when reviewing a client's medical history.
tak-ih-KAR-dee-uh
An unusually fast heart rate for the person's situation.
In context: Tachycardia may be recorded in a medical report.
Nutrition (5)
glye-SEE-mik IN-deks
A measure of how a carbohydrate-containing food raises blood glucose under standard test conditions; also spelled glycaemic index.
In context: Glycemic index is one characteristic of a carbohydrate-containing food.
GLYE-kuh-jen
The stored form of carbohydrate found mainly in the liver and muscles.
In context: Muscle glycogen is an important fuel during exercise.
hye-DROJ-uh-nay-tid
Describing an oil or fat altered by adding hydrogen.
In context: Hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated describe different degrees of processing.
mon-oh-un-SATCH-uh-ray-tid
Describing a fatty acid with one carbon-to-carbon double bond.
In context: Olive oil contains a high proportion of monounsaturated fat.
pol-ee-un-SATCH-uh-ray-tid
Describing a fatty acid with more than one carbon-to-carbon double bond.
In context: Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats.
Training and recovery (4)
kih-nee-see-OL-uh-jee
The study of human movement.
In context: Kinesiology helps explain how joints and muscles work together.
peer-ee-uh-duh-ZAY-shuhn
Planned variation of training over time; also spelled periodisation.
In context: Periodization may organise a programme into blocks with different training goals.
proh-pree-oh-SEP-tiv nyoor-oh-MUS-kyuh-lur fuh-sil-ih-TAY-shuhn
PNF: an approach used in rehabilitation and flexibility work; PNF stretching often combines contractions and stretches.
In context: A trainer may encounter proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation as PNF stretching.
self my-oh-FASH-uhl ri-LEESS
A common fitness term for applying pressure to one's own soft tissues, often using a roller or ball.
In context: Foam rolling is commonly described as self-myofascial release.
How to practise
Start with one category. Read the pronunciation guide, tap Listen, then repeat the term out loud. Say it once more in the example sentence. Slow the audio down when a word is unfamiliar, and try a different English voice if a technical word sounds unclear. Each term has its own link, so you can bookmark a tricky word or share it with a study partner.
How do you learn to pronounce muscle names?
Break a long name into short parts and practise one part at a time before joining them together. In these written guides, capitals show stressed syllables. Compare related names such as biceps brachii and biceps femoris, then use each name in a sentence about an exercise. Knowing where a muscle is and what it does can make its name easier to remember.
Is there only one correct pronunciation?
No. English pronunciations of Latin and Greek anatomical names vary between dictionaries, countries and teaching traditions. The respellings here are practical approximations, not IPA. The Listen buttons use computer-generated device voices rather than reviewed recordings, so check a dictionary reference if a technical word sounds unclear.
Use clear language with clients
Learning the technical word is useful; explaining it simply is just as important. You might say shoulder blade instead of scapula, or shin muscle instead of tibialis anterior. The goal is understanding, not using the longest word you know.
The screening and injury entries explain vocabulary only. They do not qualify a trainer to diagnose, treat a condition or decide whether a client is medically cleared for exercise.
Build your understanding of anatomy, movement and coaching alongside your pronunciation practice. Explore the IFPA Personal Fitness Trainer pathway