It's easy to step into a gym for the first time and feel somewhat intimidated. There are a bunch of people you don't know (many of which may be more fit than you), countless machines that look like torture devices, and a language being spoken that is oftentimes difficult to follow.

With regard to the last of those factors, I've started offering a virtual classroom here on that's fit that I call "Gym Lingo." Although much of what is covered may be old hat to some of you, others will benefit from this crash course on gym speak and will have you fitting in with the locals in no time.

The bell has rung. Please find a seat...

For this week's edition of Gym Lingo, we'll take a look at some of the various types of pressing exercises. Some of these are pretty common, while others are a little lesser known. Here are just a few to help you along with your gym vocab:

Military Press. Weights are lifted over the head to almost full extension and then slowly lowered to just above the collarbone. This can be performed with either dumbbells or barbell.

Arnold Press. Similar to the dumbbell military press, only you start with your palms facing your at the bottom of the movement and then twist your hands as you raise the weights above your head. By the end of the movement, your palms should be facing away from you. Oh, and in case you were wondering -- yes, they are named after Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Bench Press. One of the most popular exercises in any gym. Usually when people say bench press, they mean with a barbell (whereas if they were using dumbbells, they would call it a dumbbell press). Were someone to ask you "How much you bench?," know that they are curious as to how much weight you can bench press. Authors note: Don't bother worrying about how much you can bench press. Focus on using weight you can handle and maintaining good form.

Machine Press. Depending on which machine you are using, this exercise can either be done to simulate a bench press, incline bench press, or military press. More or less, it is any of these exercises performed on a plate-loaded machine rather than with free weights.

Leg Press. This plate-loaded machine is used to work the leg muscles; primarily the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes. If you're wondering what it looks like, it has somewhat of an inverted seat and a sled-like device that is pushed upward by the feet.

There are several other types of pressing exercises, but these are certainly among the more common. If you have any others that you'd like to add, please be my guest and add them in the comments section below.

Hopefully this helps you the next (or first) time you go to the gym.

Class dismissed.