Exercise Library

OpenSet includes a canonical exercise library (openset-default) with 50 broadly recognized exercises under the MIT license. Exercise libraries are separate JSON documents that workouts and programs reference by ID.

Library Document

Exercise libraries are validated against exercise-library.schema.json. A library document has these top-level fields:

Field	Required	Description
openset_version	Yes	Spec version (e.g. "1.0")
type	Yes	Must be "exercise_library"
id	Yes	Unique library identifier (e.g. "openset-default")
name	Yes	Human-readable name
version	Yes	Library version string (e.g. "1.0.0")
provider	Yes	Library author or organization
license	Yes	License identifier (e.g. "MIT")
exercises	Yes	Array of exercise definitions

Exercise Definition

Each exercise in the exercises array is an object with the following fields:

Required Fields

Field	Description
id	Snake_case identifier, unique within the library (e.g. back_squat)
name	Display name (e.g. "Back Squat")
common_dimensions	Array of typical dimension combinations (see below)

Classification Fields

Field	Values	Description
body_part	upper_body, lower_body, core, full_body, cardio	Primary body region
body_parts	string[]	Optional finer taxonomy; use the recommended vocabulary below for consistency. Secondary to body_part for apps that need muscle-group or region detail.
category	push, pull, hinge, squat, carry, rotation, gait	Movement pattern
mechanic	compound, isolation	Joint involvement
laterality	bilateral, unilateral, alternating	Side symmetry
level	beginner, intermediate, advanced, elite	Skill/strength prerequisite

Descriptive Fields

Field	Type	Description
aliases	string[]	Alternative names (e.g. ["RDL"] for Romanian Deadlift)
description	string	Brief description of the movement
equipment	string[]	Required equipment (e.g. ["barbell", "squat_rack"])
target_muscles	string[]	Primary muscles worked
synergist_muscles	string[]	Secondary muscles involved
sport_relevance	string[]	Sports where this exercise is commonly used
default_tempo	string	Default tempo (e.g. "3-1-2-0") when a set does not specify tempo
note	string	Coaching cues or additional notes

Relationship Fields

Exercises can reference other exercises in the same library by id:

Field	Type	Description
progressions	string[]	Harder variations (e.g. pull-up → weighted pull-up)
regressions	string[]	Easier variations (e.g. pull-up → chin-up)
variations	string[]	Lateral alternatives at similar difficulty

Media

The optional media field provides instructional content:

{
  "media": {
    "videos": [
      { "url": "https://example.com/squat.mp4", "label": "Form Guide", "language": "en" }
    ],
    "photos": [
      { "url": "https://example.com/squat.jpg", "label": "Setup Position" }
    ]
  }
}

Recommended body part vocabulary

For body_parts, the following snake_case values are recommended so libraries and apps can filter and categorize consistently:

Term	Description
chest	Pectorals, chest
back	Lats, rhomboids, traps, spinal erectors
shoulders	Deltoids
biceps	Biceps brachii
triceps	Triceps brachii
core	Abs, obliques, transverse abdominis
glutes	Gluteals
quads	Quadriceps
hamstrings	Hamstrings
calves	Gastrocnemius, soleus
full_body	Whole body / general

These are optional; libraries may use other values. Keeping to this vocabulary improves interoperability.

Common Dimensions

The common_dimensions field is an array of arrays. Each inner array lists a typical combination of dimensions for the exercise:

{
  "id": "back_squat",
  "common_dimensions": [
    ["reps", "load"],
    ["reps"]
  ]
}

This tells tooling that a back squat is commonly prescribed as reps + load, or reps only. It's guidance for validators and code generators — not a constraint. Any valid dimension combination can be used.

Example Exercise

A complete exercise definition from the canonical library:

{
  "id": "back_squat",
  "name": "Back Squat",
  "aliases": ["Squat", "High Bar Squat"],
  "description": "A compound lower body movement where the barbell rests on the upper back.",
  "body_part": "lower_body",
  "category": "squat",
  "mechanic": "compound",
  "laterality": "bilateral",
  "level": "intermediate",
  "equipment": ["barbell", "squat_rack"],
  "target_muscles": ["quadriceps", "glutes"],
  "synergist_muscles": ["hamstrings", "adductors", "spinal_erectors", "core"],
  "progressions": ["front_squat"],
  "regressions": ["goblet_squat", "bodyweight_squat"],
  "variations": ["front_squat", "goblet_squat", "leg_press"],
  "sport_relevance": ["strength", "powerlifting", "football", "rugby"],
  "common_dimensions": [["reps", "load"], ["reps"]],
  "note": "Keep chest tall and knees tracking over toes throughout the movement."
}

Referencing Libraries

Workouts and programs reference a library via the library field. Exercises then use exercise_id to look up definitions:

{
  "openset_version": "1.0",
  "type": "workout",
  "library": {
    "id": "openset-default",
    "version": "1.0.0"
  },
  "blocks": [
    {
      "series": [
        {
          "execution_mode": "SEQUENTIAL",
          "exercises": [
            {
              "exercise_id": "back_squat",
              "sets": [{ "dimensions": ["reps", "load"], "reps": { "type": "fixed", "value": 5 }, "load": { "type": "fixed", "value": 100, "unit": "kg" } }]
            }
          ]
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}

When no library is referenced, exercises use the name field instead of exercise_id.

Canonical Library

The openset-default library ships with 50 exercises covering strength, conditioning, endurance, and general fitness:

ID	Name	Body Part	Category
back_squat	Back Squat	lower_body	squat
front_squat	Front Squat	lower_body	squat
goblet_squat	Goblet Squat	lower_body	squat
bodyweight_squat	Bodyweight Squat	lower_body	squat
leg_press	Leg Press	lower_body	squat
wall_sit	Wall Sit	lower_body	squat
deadlift	Deadlift	lower_body	hinge
romanian_deadlift	Romanian Deadlift	lower_body	hinge
hip_thrust	Hip Thrust	lower_body	hinge
kettlebell_swing	Kettlebell Swing	full_body	hinge
lunge	Lunge	lower_body	squat
bulgarian_split_squat	Bulgarian Split Squat	lower_body	squat
step_up	Step Up	lower_body	squat
calf_raise	Calf Raise	lower_body	push
bench_press	Bench Press	upper_body	push
incline_bench_press	Incline Bench Press	upper_body	push
dumbbell_bench_press	Dumbbell Bench Press	upper_body	push
push_up	Push Up	upper_body	push
dip	Dip	upper_body	push
overhead_press	Overhead Press	upper_body	push
lateral_raise	Lateral Raise	upper_body	push
pull_up	Pull Up	upper_body	pull
chin_up	Chin Up	upper_body	pull
lat_pulldown	Lat Pulldown	upper_body	pull
barbell_row	Barbell Row	upper_body	pull
dumbbell_row	Dumbbell Row	upper_body	pull
seated_row	Seated Row	upper_body	pull
inverted_row	Inverted Row	upper_body	pull
bicep_curl	Bicep Curl	upper_body	pull
tricep_pushdown	Tricep Pushdown	upper_body	push
tricep_extension	Tricep Extension	upper_body	push
leg_curl	Leg Curl	lower_body	hinge
leg_extension	Leg Extension	lower_body	squat
plank	Plank	core	carry
side_plank	Side Plank	core	rotation
crunch	Crunch	core	rotation
sit_up	Sit Up	core	rotation
leg_raise	Leg Raise	core	rotation
farmer_carry	Farmer Carry	full_body	carry
sled_push	Sled Push	full_body	carry
box_jump	Box Jump	lower_body	gait
burpee	Burpee	full_body	gait
run	Run	cardio	gait
sprint	Sprint	cardio	gait
treadmill	Treadmill	cardio	gait
rowing_machine	Rowing Machine	cardio	pull
stationary_bike	Stationary Bike	cardio	gait
jump_rope	Jump Rope	cardio	gait
swimming	Swimming	cardio	pull
elliptical	Elliptical	cardio	gait

Third-Party Libraries

Anyone can create a custom exercise library. To claim OpenSet compatibility, it must validate against exercise-library.schema.json. Use a unique id and provider to avoid conflicts with other libraries.