Time under tension (TUT) is a training method used to increase muscular strength and endurance. It refers to the amount of time a muscle is under stress during a single repetition of an exercise. This stress can be achieved through different techniques such as lifting weights, isometric holds, or bodyweight exercises. TUT can be controlled by varying the tempo of the movement, the range of motion, or the amount of resistance.

Examples

When performing a bicep curl, a person can use TUT by slowing down the eccentric (lowering) phase of the movement, taking three to four seconds to lower the weight. This increased time under tension can increase muscle activation and stimulation, leading to muscle growth and strength gains. Another example is holding a squat at the bottom position for a specified amount of time to increase the TUT and fatigue the muscles.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Some synonyms for TUT include slow training, hypertrophy training, and metabolic stress training. There are no direct antonyms for TUT.

Related Terms

TUT is related to other fitness terms such as eccentric training, isometric training, and concentric training. Eccentric training refers to the lengthening of a muscle while it is under tension, isometric training involves holding a position without movement to create tension, and concentric training refers to the shortening of a muscle while it is under tension.

Terms often Confused

TUT is often confused with time under load (TUL) or time under tension and load (TUTL). TUL refers to the total amount of time a muscle is under load during a set, while TUTL refers to the combination of time under tension and resistance or load used during an exercise.