We dive into how what tempo is, how to interpret it, and how it's beneficial in the gym. TEMPO DEFINED A tempo is a set rhythm or count that is added to a training movement. This is going to slow down the movement tremendously. By slowing down the movement we are also increasing time under tension (TUT). During exercise, we are constantly placing stress ( aka mechanical tension) on the muscles. This mechanical tension is what causes micro damage via small tears in the muscle.