Caloric Surplus

Beginner ⚽ Sports / Fitness

Definition

Eating more calories than you burn to gain muscle (and fat). Every bulk ever.

Example Usage

I'm in a slight caloric surplus to maximize muscle gains during this mesocycle.

Origin

Thermodynamics applied to nutrition, foundational principle since the 1900s

Fun Fact

A 300-500 calorie surplus is ideal for muscle gain; beyond that just adds unnecessary fat

Source: Nutrition Science and Strength Training

Related Terms

Beginner

Warm Up

The preliminary exercises you're supposed to do before the real workout but that everyone either skips entirely or does for approximately thirty seconds while walking to the squat rack. It prevents injuries, which you'll learn the hard way after skipping it.

⚽ Sports / Fitness
Beginner

gun time

Your race finish time measured from when the starting gun fires, regardless of when you actually crossed the start line. Relevant in massive races where you're stuck behind 10,000 people at the start.

⚽ Sports / Fitness
Intermediate

tabata

A high-intensity interval protocol of 20 seconds maximum effort followed by 10 seconds rest, repeated for 4 minutes. Named after the researcher, feared by everyone.

⚽ Sports / Fitness
Beginner

stringer

A tank top with massive arm holes and minimal fabric, designed to showcase your physique while technically qualifying as clothing. The peacock feathers of gym attire.

⚽ Sports / Fitness
Beginner

mirror muscles

The vanity-driven muscle groups that people obsessively train because they're visible in gym mirrors—chest, biceps, abs—while neglecting everything else. The fitness equivalent of a movie set facade with nothing behind it.

⚽ Sports / Fitness
Beginner

weightlifting

A sport where competitors lift progressively heavier weights in two main events: the snatch and the clean and jerk, both of which sound vaguely inappropriate but are actually technical Olympic lifts. Unlike your average gym bro's bicep curls, this requires explosive power, perfect technique, and the ability to grunt louder than everyone else. It's the difference between fitness and competitive masochism.

⚽ Sports / Fitness

Translate This Term

See “Caloric Surplus” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.

Try the Translator

Share This Term

Post on XShare on FacebookShare on LinkedIn

Discover a Term

Beginner

Feb 23

National sit next to your friend day...