Gym newbie, please explain jargon?

[Ben]

i enrolled at the gym today, but im a complete novice when it comes to anything to do about the human body or health and fitness. Im you typical average guy, 21 years old, 5ft 9", approx 10st.

i want to tone up, not body build, just tone up and get some definition hopefully by summer (6 months) if thats even possible.

Ive been trying to find some website online specifically for new starters and people who have just started the gym. looking for workout routines. what makes me laugh is the amount of websites that actually assume that we understand what the hell their talking about. like i said im not a gym or health expert infact im a comple novice.

what the hell is a rep, whats cardio, and theres more stuff i just done understand.

is there a website that can give me a workout routine in order to tone up, explaining what i should be doing in lamans terms thanks or are there any health fanatics here that can do that

 

[CindyD]

Rep = repetition = how many times you do it
Set = number of reps without stopping, often 10
Cardio = has to do with your cardiovascular system, which is heart, lungs, circulation. Aerobic (oxygen-burning) exercises are good for cardio. Basically, anything that makes you breathe hard, like jogging, swimming, jumping jacks.

For what you want, use comfortable weights and more reps, as opposed to heavy, difficult weights and fewer reps, which will bulk you up.

Don't overdo. If you're going to work out every day, work upper body one day and lower body the next, to give your body time to recover.

Good luck!