A set of definitions exists in the Senate ESEA bill written and voted out of the HELP Committee (Health, Education, Labor and Pensions).
Reps and sets are terms used by exercise professionals, athletes and individuals in the gym. They provide structure and organization to your workout. If you work with a personal trainer or physical therapist, she will prescribe an exercise based on a specific number of sets and reps.
A rep is just one... thing. So if you were doing the bench press, it would be lifting the bar up and down one time. A set is a collection of reps. So, the number of reps you do before you stop. Can be as low as 3-5 for strength building exercises or as high as 15-20 for toning. blitzcrackunders Â· 8 years ago.