General
iron
What does iron mean?
Slang for the weights themselves and, by extension, the culture of lifting — as in 'pumping iron' or 'moving iron.'
"Nothing clears my head like a couple of hours on the iron."
Origin
Long-standing lifting slang, immortalised by the film 'Pumping Iron' (1977).
Frequently asked questions
What does 'iron' mean in the gym?
It's slang for the weights themselves and the whole culture of lifting, as in 'pumping iron' or 'moving iron.'
Where does the phrase 'pumping iron' come from?
It's long-standing lifting slang that was popularised by the 1977 bodybuilding documentary Pumping Iron featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
What does 'moving iron' mean?
It means lifting weights — 'iron' stands in for the barbells and plates you train with.
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