With the integration of the internet and social media into our daily lives, it’s difficult to know what to believe anymore. And the health and fitness industry is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to spreading lies or inaccurate facts.
So, what’s the deal? What’s real and what’s fake?
We’re setting the record straight.
Here are the top 5 fitness myths debunked:
Myth #1: “If I do weight, I’ll bulk up.”
Women fear this. They’re scared that too much strength training will result in a bulked up appearance.
Here’s the truth: Bulking up takes a lot of work. It takes a combination of a strict exercise routine and diet. You won’t bulk up by accident.
Strength training helps you gain muscle. It’s part of a well-rounded workout plan. And more muscle makes you look leaner.
The Bottomline: You won’t bulk up by doing weights. Regular weight lifting will actually make you look leaner.
Myth #2: “I’ll get a flat stomach by doing a lot of crunches.”
Unfortunately, you can’t control which part of your body you lose weight from. Every person has a different body type. And we all lose or gain weight differently.
Crunches, however, do help build a strong core. Yet, you should incorporate a variety of moves into your regular routine. Make sure also to target your quads, hamstrings, and glutes. These big muscles burn more calories - promoting weight loss.
The Bottomline: You can’t spot reduce. Crunches may help gain strength in certain abdominal muscles, but it won’t necessarily lead to a flat stomach.
Myth #3: “I have to exercise every single day.”
Rest is just as important as working out. It shouldn’t be underestimated. You’ll actually see improved results by taking rest days, and you decrease your risk of injury. Your body needs this time to recover. It works to repair your muscles and clear out toxins or by-products created via exercise. After an intense workout, take a rest day. Or at least avoid working the same muscle group two days in a row.
The Bottomline: Rest allows time for your body to recover and repair. You need it to build muscle and gain strength. Don’t overdo it!
Myth #4: “For consistency, I should just do the same thing for every workout.”
Consistency is important! But your body does get used to doing the same thing day-in and day-out. If you’ve noticed you’ve plateaued and you aren’t making progress toward your goals, consider switching up your routine. Start targeting your muscles in different ways. There are a variety of exercise options out there. Chances are you aren’t doing them all. Try switching it up every few months. It’ll keep you from getting bored and give your body a challenge!
The Bottomline: Switch up your workout routine every few months. It’ll challenge your body and keep you progressing!
Myth #5: “If I workout longer, I’ll see more results.”
Many individuals hop on the cardio machine for hours at a time. And while cardio is great for your heart, you don’t need to do hours of it every day. In fact, you may be tiring yourself out. Balance out the cardio with strength training - and limit your workouts to an hour max. Unless you’re training for a marathon, you don’t need to be going for long durations. And you don’t want to overdo it. By doing so, you may increase your risk of injury.
Bottomline: Exercising longer isn’t necessarily better. Go for quality over quantity.
Get Your Facts Straight!
Don’t believe everything you read. Do your research.
And if you’re struggling to stick to a routine or want to get it right, contact NuLifeBalance today. Shaida approaches health and fitness from an inclusive perspective. She integrates exercise, diet, rest, and positive thinking strategies to help you reach your goals and finally get the results you’ve always wanted.