GLOSSARY

Welcome to The teKky Bench Glossary

Tech & Fitness Terms Made Simple

If you've spent any time around technology or fitness, you already know that both come with their own language.

Acronyms, abbreviations, specifications, and technical terms get thrown around all the time, and they're not always explained in a way that's easy to understand—especially if you're just getting started.

After more than 20 years working in IT, a lot of these terms have become second nature to me. But I also remember that I had to learn what they meant at some point.

That's why I created The teKky Bench Glossary.

When I use a technical term in one of my guides, reviews, comparisons, or other content, I don't want you to feel like you need years of experience just to understand what I'm talking about.

The same goes for the fitness side of the site. Powerlifting, strength training, and running all have terminology that may be familiar to experienced athletes but completely new to someone just getting started.

My goal isn't to make things sound more technical or complicated than they need to be. It's the opposite.

I want to take the terminology I've learned through technology and training and explain it in a way that's easier to understand and actually useful.

You don't need to know every term. You just need somewhere to look when you don't.

0–9

2.4 GHz

A Wi-Fi frequency band that generally provides greater range and better penetration through obstacles, but typically has less available bandwidth and more interference than higher-frequency bands.

3-2-1 Backup

A common backup approach involving three copies of important data, stored on two different types of media, with one copy kept off-site.

5 GHz

A Wi-Fi frequency band that generally provides higher speeds and more available channels than 2.4 GHz, but typically has a shorter effective range.

6 GHz

A newer Wi-Fi frequency band available to compatible Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 equipment. It provides additional spectrum and can reduce congestion but generally has less range than lower-frequency bands.

80 PLUS

A certification program that identifies computer power supplies meeting specified energy-efficiency requirements at different operating loads. Certification levels include 80 PLUS Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Titanium.

802.1Q

An IEEE networking standard used to identify VLAN traffic by adding VLAN information to Ethernet frames. It allows multiple VLANs to travel across compatible network connections.

A

Access Point (AP)

A device that provides Wi-Fi access to a wired network. Access points are commonly used to provide or expand wireless coverage.

Adjustable Bench

A weight bench that allows the back pad, and sometimes the seat, to be positioned at different angles.

Affiliate Disclosure

A statement informing visitors that a website may receive compensation from qualifying purchases or transactions made through certain affiliate links.

Affiliate Link

A link that allows a website or content creator to potentially earn a commission or other compensation when a visitor completes a qualifying purchase or transaction.

Affiliate Marketing

A marketing arrangement where a publisher may earn compensation for referring visitors to a retailer, marketplace, or service through affiliate links.

AIO — All-in-One Liquid Cooler

A self-contained liquid cooling system commonly used to cool a computer processor. An AIO typically includes a pump, cooling block, radiator, tubing, and one or more fans.

Amazon Associates

Amazon's affiliate program that allows participating websites and content creators to earn commissions from qualifying purchases made through eligible Amazon affiliate links.

ATX

A common computer hardware form factor that defines characteristics such as motherboard dimensions, mounting locations, expansion slots, and case compatibility.

ATX 3.1

A newer power-supply specification designed for modern computer hardware. ATX 3.1 power supplies can include updated requirements for power delivery, transient loads, efficiency, and high-power graphics-card connections.

B

Backup

An additional recoverable copy of data created so information can be restored if the original is lost, damaged, deleted, corrupted, or otherwise unavailable.

Bandwidth

The amount of data a network connection can carry over a period of time. More bandwidth allows more data to move through the connection at once.

Barbell

A long metal bar designed to hold weight plates and used for exercises such as squats, bench presses, and deadlifts.

Benchmark

A test or measurement used to evaluate or compare the performance of hardware, software, or other technology under specific conditions.

Bitrate

The amount of data used to represent audio or video over a given period of time. Higher video bitrates can improve image quality but also increase bandwidth and storage requirements.

Bluetooth

A short-range wireless technology commonly used to connect headphones, keyboards, mice, fitness devices, and other accessories.

BPM — Beats Per Minute

A measurement commonly used to describe heart rate.

Bumper Plates

Weight plates generally made primarily from dense rubber and designed to tolerate being dropped during appropriate lifting movements.

C

Cache

A small amount of fast memory used to keep frequently needed data readily available.

Cadence

In running, the number of steps a runner takes per minute.

Calibrated Plates

Weight plates manufactured to tighter weight tolerances than typical recreational plates. They are commonly used in competitive powerlifting.

CAS Latency (CL)

A memory timing measurement that describes part of the delay involved when RAM responds to a request for data. Lower CAS latency can reduce memory latency, although overall memory performance also depends on memory speed and other timings.

Center Knurl

A textured section in the center of some barbells that can provide additional grip between the bar and lifter during movements such as squats.

Change Plates

Small weight plates used to make relatively small increases in the total weight loaded onto a barbell.

Clock Speed

The operating frequency of a processor, commonly measured in gigahertz (GHz). Clock speed is one factor affecting processor performance.

Cloud Backup

A backup stored on remote infrastructure operated by a cloud service provider.

Codec

A technology used to encode and decode digital audio or video. Video codecs such as H.264 and H.265 help reduce the amount of data required to transmit and store video.

Collars

Devices placed on the ends of a loaded barbell to help prevent weight plates from sliding.

Commission

Compensation an affiliate may receive when a visitor completes a qualifying purchase or transaction through an eligible affiliate link.

Compatibility

Whether a product, component, device, or service can properly work with another product, system, environment, or application.

Compression

A method of reducing the amount of data required to store or transmit information such as video.

Continuous Recording

A surveillance recording method that records video continuously rather than only when motion or another configured event is detected.

Core

An individual processing unit within a CPU. Modern processors commonly contain multiple cores capable of performing work simultaneously.

CPU — Central Processing Unit

The primary processor inside a computer. The CPU handles many of the instructions and calculations required by the operating system and applications.

D

DDR — Double Data Rate

A type of memory technology used in computer RAM. Common generations include DDR4 and DDR5.

DDR5

A generation of DDR computer memory that succeeds DDR4. DDR5 supports higher memory speeds and greater memory capacities and is used by many modern desktop and laptop platforms.

Deadlift

A strength movement involving lifting a weight from the floor to a standing position.

Dedicated Graphics

Graphics processing provided by a separate graphics card or GPU rather than graphics built into the processor. Dedicated graphics can provide additional video-processing capability and typically include dedicated VRAM.

DNS — Domain Name System

A system that translates domain names into IP addresses that computers and other network devices use to communicate.

Docking Station

A device that expands the connectivity of a computer, commonly providing additional USB ports, display connections, networking, audio, charging, or other connections through a single connection to the computer.

E

Energy Efficiency

Getting the desired performance or functionality while reducing unnecessary energy consumption.

ENERGY STAR

A U.S. government-backed program that identifies products meeting specified energy-efficiency requirements.

EPN — eBay Partner Network

eBay's affiliate program that allows participating publishers to earn compensation from qualifying purchases or transactions generated through eligible eBay affiliate links.

Ethernet

A wired networking technology commonly used to connect computers, switches, access points, cameras, and other network devices.

EXPO — Extended Profiles for Overclocking

An AMD memory-profile technology that allows compatible DDR5 memory kits to use preconfigured performance settings such as memory speed, timings, and voltage on supported systems.

F

Firewall

Hardware or software that monitors and controls network traffic according to security rules.

Firsthand Experience

Knowledge gained through directly using, installing, configuring, testing, training with, or otherwise interacting with a product.

Fitness Tracker

A wearable device designed to track information such as activity, steps, heart rate, sleep, and workouts.

Flat Bench

A weight bench with a fixed horizontal position.

FPS — Frames Per Second

The number of individual video frames captured or displayed each second. Higher frame rates generally produce smoother motion but can require more bandwidth and storage.

G

GB — Gigabyte

A unit commonly used to measure digital storage capacity.

GHz — Gigahertz

A unit equal to one billion cycles per second. GHz is commonly used when describing processor speeds and wireless frequencies.

GPS — Global Positioning System

A satellite-based positioning system used by watches and other devices to determine location and provide information such as distance, pace, speed, and routes.

GPU — Graphics Processing Unit

A processor designed primarily for graphics and highly parallel workloads. GPUs are commonly used for gaming, video processing, content creation, and other applications.

H

H.264

A widely used video compression format that reduces the amount of data required to store or transmit video.

H.265 / HEVC — High Efficiency Video Coding

A video compression standard that can provide more efficient compression than H.264, potentially reducing storage and bandwidth requirements.

Hands-On Review

A review based at least partly on direct experience using, installing, configuring, testing, or otherwise interacting with a product.

Hardware-Accelerated Video Decoding

Using specialized hardware, such as a GPU or integrated graphics processor, to decode video instead of relying entirely on the CPU. Support and performance depend on the software, hardware, and video codec being used.

HDD — Hard Disk Drive

A storage device that uses spinning magnetic disks. HDDs generally provide large amounts of storage at a relatively low cost per gigabyte.

Heart Rate

The number of times the heart beats per minute, commonly expressed as BPM.

Heart-Rate Monitor

A device designed to measure heart rate during exercise or everyday activity.

Hydration Vest

A wearable vest designed to carry water or other fluids and often provide storage for nutrition, a phone, and other essentials during longer runs.

I

Incline Bench

A weight bench positioned so the lifter's upper body is elevated above the hips.

Integrated Graphics

Graphics processing built into a processor or system rather than provided by a separate graphics card. Integrated graphics can provide display and video capabilities while reducing the need for additional hardware.

Intended Use

The purpose, workload, activity, or environment a product is designed or reasonably suited for.

IP Address

A numerical address used to identify and communicate with a device on an IP network.

IP Camera

A security camera that transmits video through an IP network.

J

J-Cups

Adjustable attachments on a power or squat rack that hold a barbell before and after a lift.

K

Knee Sleeves

Compression sleeves worn around the knees for warmth, support, and comfort during strength training.

Knurling

The textured pattern cut into portions of a barbell to provide additional grip.

kWh — Kilowatt-Hour

A unit used to measure electrical energy consumption. A device consuming 1,000 watts for one hour uses approximately one kilowatt-hour of energy.

L

LAN — Local Area Network

A network connecting devices within a limited area such as a home, office, or building.

Latency

The amount of delay between sending and receiving data across a network or system. Lower latency generally results in a more responsive connection.

Lifting Belt

A belt worn around the torso during certain strength exercises to provide something for the lifter to brace against.

Lifting Straps

Straps used to help secure the hands to a barbell or other equipment when grip strength might otherwise limit the movement.

Live View

The real-time display of one or more security camera video streams within surveillance software, an NVR, or another viewing system.

Local Backup

A backup stored locally, such as on an external hard drive, NAS, or another device at the same location.

M

M.2

A compact form factor commonly used for internal computer components such as NVMe SSDs and wireless adapters. M.2 SSDs connect directly to a compatible motherboard slot without traditional drive cables.

Managed Switch

A network switch that provides configurable features such as VLANs, port settings, traffic management, monitoring, and security controls.

Megapixel (MP)

One million pixels. Megapixels are commonly used to describe camera resolution, although resolution alone does not determine overall image quality.

Motherboard

The main circuit board inside a computer that connects components such as the CPU, RAM, storage, graphics card, and networking hardware.

Motion Recording

A surveillance recording method that records video when motion or another configured event is detected rather than recording continuously.

N

NAS — Network-Attached Storage

A storage device connected to a network that allows computers and other devices to access shared files and storage.

NIC — Network Interface Card

Hardware that allows a computer or other device to connect to a network.

NTP — Network Time Protocol

A network protocol used to synchronize the clocks of computers, cameras, servers, and other network devices. Accurate time synchronization is particularly important when comparing events across multiple security cameras.

NVMe — Non-Volatile Memory Express

A high-speed storage technology commonly used by modern SSDs.

NVR — Network Video Recorder

A recording system commonly used with IP security cameras to receive, store, and manage video footage.

O

Off-Site Backup

A backup stored in a physically separate location from the original data.

Olympic Barbell

A barbell designed to accept Olympic-style weight plates, which typically have approximately 2-inch center holes.

ONVIF

An industry organization that develops interoperability specifications for IP-based physical security products. ONVIF conformance can help compatible cameras, recorders, and surveillance software work together.

P

Pace

The amount of time required to cover a particular distance, such as minutes per mile.

Packet Loss

Network data that fails to reach its intended destination. Excessive packet loss can cause interruptions, poor video quality, dropped connections, and other network performance problems.

PCIe Gen 5

The fifth major generation of PCI Express. PCIe Gen 5 provides greater potential bandwidth than previous PCIe generations for compatible graphics, storage, and expansion devices.

PCIe — Peripheral Component Interconnect Express

A high-speed connection standard used to connect components such as graphics cards, NVMe storage, network adapters, and other expansion devices to a computer.

PoE Injector

A device that adds Power over Ethernet to an Ethernet connection, allowing a compatible device such as an access point or IP camera to receive power and network connectivity through the same cable.

PoE Power Budget

The total amount of electrical power a PoE switch or other power-sourcing device can provide to connected PoE devices.

PoE Switch

A network switch capable of supplying electrical power and network connectivity through Ethernet cables to compatible PoE devices.

PoE — Power over Ethernet

Technology that allows compatible devices to receive network data and electrical power through the same Ethernet cable.

PoE+ — Power over Ethernet Plus

A PoE standard capable of supplying more power to compatible devices than standard PoE.

PoE++ — Higher-Power Power over Ethernet

A higher-power PoE standard designed for compatible devices requiring more power than standard PoE or PoE+ can provide.

Power Bar

A relatively stiff barbell designed primarily for strength and powerlifting movements such as the squat, bench press, and deadlift.

Power Consumption

The amount of electrical power a device uses while operating.

Power Rack

A strength-training structure designed to support a barbell and provide adjustable positions and safety features for exercises such as squats and bench presses.

Product Comparison

An evaluation of two or more products that examines differences such as features, specifications, performance, compatibility, price, limitations, and intended use.

PSU — Power Supply Unit

The computer component that converts electrical power from an outlet into the power required by the computer's internal hardware.

Pure Sine Wave

A type of AC electrical output designed to closely resemble utility power. Pure sine wave UPS systems are commonly used with computers and other electronics that may benefit from cleaner, more consistent power during battery operation.

PVID — Port VLAN ID

The VLAN identifier a managed switch assigns to untagged traffic entering a port. The PVID helps determine which VLAN that incoming traffic belongs to.

Q

Qualifying Purchase

A purchase or transaction that meets the requirements of an affiliate program for commission or other compensation.

R

RAID — Redundant Array of Independent Disks

A method of combining multiple storage drives for redundancy, performance, or both, depending on the configuration. RAID is not a replacement for backup.

RAM — Random Access Memory

Short-term working memory used by a computer while programs and data are actively being used.

Recovery

In fitness, the period and processes that allow the body to recover between training sessions.

Referral Tracking

Technology or identifiers used by an affiliate program, retailer, or marketplace to determine where a visitor or qualifying transaction originated.

Reliability

A product's ability to consistently perform its intended function under expected operating or usage conditions.

Research-Based Review

A review or evaluation based on sources such as manufacturer specifications, technical documentation, manuals, compatibility information, product comparisons, and relevant experience, rather than necessarily involving firsthand product testing.

Resistance Bands

Elastic bands that provide resistance and can be used for strength training, assistance, mobility work, and other exercises.

Retention

In surveillance, the amount of time recorded video is kept before being deleted or overwritten.

Router

A networking device that directs traffic between different networks, such as a home or business network and the internet.

RSSI — Received Signal Strength Indicator

A measurement used to represent the strength of a received wireless signal. RSSI can help evaluate Wi-Fi coverage and determine whether a device has a strong or weak connection to an access point.

RTSP — Real-Time Streaming Protocol

A network protocol commonly used to access and control audio or video streams from IP cameras and other streaming devices.

S

SATA — Serial ATA

A common connection standard used for hard drives, SSDs, and other storage devices.

Smart Plug

A remotely or automatically controlled electrical outlet adapter that can turn connected equipment on or off and may include energy-monitoring features.

Smart Scale

A digital scale that can connect to an app or other device and may track body weight and additional estimated measurements over time.

Smartwatch

A wearable computer that may provide notifications, applications, activity tracking, GPS, heart-rate monitoring, and other features.

Specialty Bar

A barbell designed for a particular movement, training purpose, or exercise variation.

Specification (Spec)

A documented technical characteristic or capability of a product, such as dimensions, capacity, speed, power requirements, compatibility, or performance ratings.

Spotter Arms

Safety attachments used with compatible racks to catch or support a barbell if the lifter cannot complete a repetition.

Squat

A strength exercise in which the lifter lowers and raises the body while supporting resistance, commonly using a barbell.

SSD — Solid-State Drive

A storage device that uses flash memory instead of spinning disks. SSDs generally provide much faster access to data than traditional hard drives.

SSID — Service Set Identifier

The name used to identify a Wi-Fi network to compatible wireless devices.

Surge Protector

A device designed to help protect connected equipment from certain electrical voltage spikes.

Surveillance HDD

A hard drive designed for continuous recording workloads commonly found in security camera systems.

Switch

A networking device that connects multiple wired devices on the same network.

T

Tagged VLAN

A VLAN configuration where Ethernet frames include VLAN identification information, allowing compatible networking equipment to distinguish traffic belonging to different VLANs.

TB — Terabyte

A unit used to measure large amounts of digital storage capacity.

Tensile Strength

A measurement of how much pulling force a material can withstand before breaking. It is commonly referenced when describing barbell steel.

Thread

A sequence of instructions that a processor can work on. Some CPU cores are capable of processing multiple threads.

Training Timer

A device or application used to track workout intervals, rest periods, or total training time.

Trunk Port

A switch port configured to carry traffic for multiple VLANs between compatible networking devices. VLAN tagging is commonly used to identify the traffic belonging to each VLAN.

U

Untagged VLAN

A VLAN configuration where Ethernet frames leave a switch port without a VLAN tag. Untagged VLANs are commonly used for end devices that do not need to understand VLAN tagging.

UPS — Uninterruptible Power Supply

A battery-backed device that can temporarily provide electricity when utility power is interrupted. Many UPS systems also provide surge protection and power-management features.

USB Hub

A device that expands a single USB connection into multiple USB ports, allowing additional compatible devices to connect to a computer or other host.

USB — Universal Serial Bus

A common connection standard used for accessories, storage devices, charging, and transferring data.

V

VA — Volt-Ampere

A measurement commonly used when describing the capacity of UPS equipment.

Value

The relationship between a product's price and what it provides in areas such as performance, quality, features, reliability, and usefulness for its intended purpose.

VLAN — Virtual Local Area Network

A technology used to logically separate devices into different network segments even when they share physical networking equipment. VLANs are commonly used to isolate security cameras, users, servers, and other types of devices.

VMS — Video Management Software

Software used to view, record, manage, search, and monitor video from security cameras. VMS capabilities can vary depending on the software and hardware being used.

VRAM — Video Random Access Memory

Memory used by a graphics processor to store graphics-related data.

W

Watt (W)

A unit used to measure power. Watts are commonly referenced for computer power supplies, processors, graphics cards, PoE equipment, and electrical consumption.

Weight Capacity

The maximum amount of weight a piece of equipment is rated to support. Depending on the manufacturer, the rating may include both the user and the weight being lifted.

Whip

The amount a barbell flexes and rebounds during a lift.

Wi-Fi

Wireless networking technology that allows compatible devices to connect to a network without an Ethernet cable.

Wi-Fi 6

A generation of Wi-Fi designed to improve wireless speed, efficiency, and performance, particularly in environments with many connected devices.

Wi-Fi 6E

An extension of Wi-Fi 6 that adds access to the 6 GHz frequency band for compatible equipment.

Wi-Fi 7

A newer generation of Wi-Fi designed to provide greater speed, capacity, and efficiency with compatible equipment.

Workload

The amount and type of work a device, system, component, or piece of equipment is expected to handle.

Wrist Wraps

Supportive wraps worn around the wrists, commonly used during pressing and other strength-training exercises.

X

XMP — Extreme Memory Profile

An Intel memory-profile technology that allows compatible memory kits to use preconfigured performance settings such as memory speed, timings, and voltage on supported systems.