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.

D

Dead Lift - One of three power-lifting events (other two are squat and bench press). High intensity weight lifting exercise where a high amount of weight is lifted off floor to approximately waist height. Lifter must stand erect, shoulders back.

Deficiency - An inadequacy or shortage of substances essential to growth and development, often resulting in disease or injury.

Definition - The absence of fat over clearly delineated muscular movement. Definition is often referred to as "muscularity," and a highly defined bodybuilder has so little body fat that very fine grooves of muscularity called "striations" will be clearly visible over each major muscle group.

Delts - Abbreviation for deltoids, the large triangular muscles of the shoulder that raise the arm away from the body and perform other functions.

Density - refers to the strength, health and tightness of the muscles. Combination of muscle mass and muscle density is highly prized among all competitive bodybuilders.

Diet - Food and drink regularly consumed by a person, often according to specific guidelines to improve physical condition.

Dipping Bars - Parallel bars set high enough above the floor to allow you to do dips between them, leg raises for your abdominals, and a variety of other exercises.

Dip Belt - Large heavy belt worn around hips with chain at each end that can be attached to a barbell plate or dumbbell for additional resistance during certain exercises like dips.

Diuretics - Sometimes called "water pills," these are drugs and herbal preparations that help increase the flow of urine from the body. They also decrease the extracellular fluid volume, and are primarily used to produce a negative extracellular fluid balance. Bodybuilders rely heavily on diuretics when preparing for a contest for the purpose of lowering subcutaneous water concentrations in efforts to achieve optimum muscular definition.

Double (Split Training) Routine - Working out twice a day to allow for shorter, more intense workouts.

Drying Out - Encouraging loss of body fluids by limiting liquid intake, eliminating salt, sweating heavily and/or using diuretics.