General
tempo
What does tempo mean?
The prescribed speed of a rep, often written as four numbers for the lowering, pause, lifting and top phases.
"Do those squats on a 3-1-1 tempo."
Origin
Strength-coaching term for controlling rep timing.
Frequently asked questions
What does tempo mean in weightlifting?
Tempo is the prescribed speed of each phase of a rep, controlling how fast you lower, pause and lift the weight.
How do you read a tempo like 3-1-1?
The numbers are seconds for each phase — typically eccentric (lowering), pause at the bottom, concentric (lifting), and sometimes a pause at the top.
Why train with a tempo?
Controlling tempo increases time under tension, improves technique and control, and can make a lighter weight far more challenging.
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Vocabulary Flow — saved to your collection.
