armheffing

Armheffing is a Dutch term that can refer to more than one concept, depending on context. Literally combining arm and levy, it can denote either a physical exercise involving lifting the arms or a historical financial levy. The ambiguity means it appears in both fitness literature and historical or municipal records.

In modern fitness contexts, armheffing describes a group of upper-body movements that raise the arms against gravity. It can include overhead presses, front or lateral raises, or other deltoid- and scapular-stabilizing movements. It is commonly performed as part of strength or conditioning routines, with free weights, machines, or bodyweight, and can serve as warm-up or strengthening work.

In historical or administrative language, armheffing referred to a levy used to finance public aid or poor relief. The concept varied by region and period; such levies were typically assessed on residents or households and collected by local authorities. The term is now largely archaic and generally replaced by modern tax or welfare terminology.

Etymology and usage: The word combines arm (arm) with heffing (levy or assessment). Because of that, its meaning is highly context-dependent: a physical action in sports or a fiscal charge in historical municipal records. In contemporary Dutch, the tax sense is rarely used; the fitness sense persists in training circles but not as a fixed technical term.