Even if you're a relative neophyte when it comes to working out, you can still talk the talk with the best of them. Just like anything else -- be it an occupation, sport, hobby, or whatever else -- working out has its own vernacular.

Starting today, and going forward on a fairly consistent basis, I'm going to post some common "Gym Lingo," complete with definitions. For some of you, this may all be old hat. But for others, knowing some of these terms may help you feel more at ease the next time (or the first time) you step into a gym.

This week, I will be focusing on some of of the different kinds of Sets. First of all, a Set is nothing more than one series of a number of repetitions. For example, if you do ten repetitions (or "reps") of bench press, wait a minute, and then complete ten more repetitions, you will have completed two Sets. Got it? Good. Let's get more in depth, then.

Straight Set: This is pretty much what I just described. You perform a certain number of reps and then take a specific amount of time to rest until beginning the same exercise again.

Tri-Set: Three different exercises, that all work the same muscle group, performed one after another without any break in between. The rest period finally occurs once you have completed the last of the three exercises that make up the tri-set.

Compound Set: Often mistakenly referred to as a Super-Set, a Compound Set involves two separate exercises -- completed in succession, without any rest between them -- that work the same muscle group.

Super-Set: Two sets, completed without any rest between them, that work different muscle groups.

Drop-Set: Consecutive sets of the same exercise performed without rest in between, usually using lighter weight for each set.

Some time next week, I'll offer up some more Gym Lingo, focusing on some of the major muscle groups.