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.

B

Baby's Butt - Indentation between the two heads of biceps muscles of very muscular athlete.

Back-Cycling -Reducing the number of sets, repetitions or weight used during an exercise session.

Bar -The steel shaft that forms the basic part of a barbell or dumbbell. These bars are normally about one inch thick, and they are often encased in a revolving metal sleeve.

Barbell -Weight used for exercise, consisting of a rigid handle 5-7' long, with detachable metal discs at each end.

Balance - the much sought after physique with competitive bodybuilders in which the total body is proportionate. All muscle groups are equally defined.

Basic Exercise -Training exercises using the largest muscle groups of your body (e.g., the thighs, back, and/or chest), often in combination with smaller muscles. Heavy weights are typically used for basic exercises in order to build great muscle mass and physical power. Some of the more common basic exercises include squats, bench presses, and dead-lifts.

Bench -a padded bench used for support during various lifting exercises.

Benches - A term for a variety of exercises for use in doing barbell and dumbbell exercises either lying or seated on a bench.

Bench Press - an exercise in weight lifting in which the lifter lies on his back on a bench, raising and lowering the bar directly above the chest. It is intended for the development of the chest, or pectoral, muscles. It is properly performed while laying on your back with your shoulder blades pinched together on a specially designed bench with a weighted barbell suspended on a rack over your chest.

Beta-Carotene - nutrient that functions as an antioxidants and free radical 'hunters' which has been found to strengthen the immune system, destroy carcinogens (cancer-causing substances), guard against heart disease and stroke and lower cholesterol levels. The body converts Beta-Carotene to vitamin A, which is necessary for healthy skin and mucous membranes (the body's first line of defense against invading micro-organisms).

Biomechanics - Study of the function of the body in relation to movement; especially important for repetitive movement sports like running and weight lifting. Poor biomechanics can lead to injury.

Blind (single or double) Study - In a single blind study, the subjects or the researchers do not know whether they are receiving an experimental treatment or a placebo. In a double blind study, neither the researchers nor the participants are aware of which subjects receive the treatment - until after the study is completed.

Body Mass Index (BMI) - Method use for determining overweight and obesity in adults. BMI is a calculation that divides a persons weight in kilograms by height in meters squared (BMI = [kg/m²]. The general guideline currently recommended by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention is that individuals with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 are considered overweight and those individuals with a BMI greater than 30 are considered obese.

BMR (Basal Metabolism Rate) - the level of energy needed to keep involuntary body processes going. These processes include heartbeat, breathing, generating body heat, perspiring to keep cool, and transmitting messages to the brain. For a sedentary person, BMR accounts for about 60-70 percent of daily energy expenditure; the remaining 30-40 percent is from physical activity and from body heat produced after a meal. Physical activity is responsible for as much as 50-60 percent of the total energy expenditure in people who include frequent aerobic activity into their lifestyles.

Body Composition - The ratio of lean body mass (structural and functional elements in cells, body water, muscle, bone, heart, liver, kidneys, etc.) to body fat (essential and storage) mass.

Bodybuilding - Bodybuilding is the sport of developing muscles through the combination of weight training, increased caloric intake, and rest.

Buffed - A slang used to describe optimum muscle size and definition.

Bulking Up - Gaining body weight by adding muscle, body fat or both.

Burn - A burning sensation in a muscle that is being worked. This sensation is caused by a rapid buildup of fatigue toxins in the muscle and is a good indication that you are optimally working a muscle group.