TUT

Sports abbreviation · Fitness and Exercise

TUT
Stands forTime under tension
CategoriesSports

TUT stands for Time under tension, a fitness and exercise abbreviation.

Total time a muscle is working during a set, controlled by the tempo of each repetition. Slower reps increase TUT, which some lifters use to boost muscle growth.

Example: Use a 3-1-1 tempo to keep TUT around 40 seconds per set.

Usage notes

Tempo is often written as four numbers, such as 3-1-1-0, for lowering, bottom pause, lifting and top pause. Research suggests overall effort and volume matter more for growth than TUT alone.

More fitness and exercise abbreviations

  • 1RM – One-rep max
  • AMRAP – As many reps as possible
  • BB – Barbell
  • BCAA – Branched-chain amino acids
  • BMR – Basal metabolic rate
  • BW – Bodyweight
  • C&J – Clean and jerk
  • DB – Dumbbell
  • DOMS – Delayed-onset muscle soreness
  • EAA – Essential amino acids
  • EMOM – Every minute on the minute
  • EPOC – Excess post-exercise oxygen consumption

See all 35 fitness and exercise abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.