The glossary

Fitness words, minus the jargon.

MET: Metabolic equivalent. 1 MET is the energy you use sitting still. Walking at 2 mph is roughly 2.8 METs, nearly three times resting. Our calorie calculator uses METs.
NEAT: Non-exercise activity thermogenesis: energy used by everyday movement like standing, fidgeting, housework and short walks. It adds up to a lot over a day.
Zone 2: An easy, steady effort where you can hold a conversation. Most beginner treadmill walking is zone 2 or below.
Talk test: If you can talk but not sing, you're at moderate intensity. If you can't talk, slow down.
Moderate activity: Effort that raises your breathing and heart rate but still lets you talk. Brisk walking is the classic example. Guidelines suggest 150 minutes a week.
Incline: How much the treadmill deck tilts uphill, in percent. 0% is flat.
Interval: Switching between easier and harder stretches, like 2 minutes easy and 1 minute brisk.
Cadence: Steps per minute. Shorter, quicker steps are often easier on joints than long strides.
Safety key: The clip-on magnetic key that stops the belt if you fall back.
Streak: Consecutive days you've walked. Ours lives on your own device.

Last reviewed October 30, 2026 · Sources · General information, not medical advice.