This post is about correcting seven of the worst fitness myths ever.
Myths and misinformation often circulate in the fitness world, leading to confusion and misguided practices.
For optimal health and wellness, it’s important to distinguish the facts from the…well, lies.
In this post, we’ll tackle seven of the worst fitness myths ever told!
Fitness Myth 1: Cardio is All You Need to Lose Weight
This is one of the worst fitness myths out there because it continues to dictate workout routines.
Many people still go to the gym just to make a bee-line straight for the cardio machines under the illusion that it will give them the best shot at shedding pounds.
While cardio can effectively burn calories, it alone is not the best remedy for weight loss.
It could even work against your efforts by zapping away muscle mass and thus slowing down your metabolism.
It’s better to program some strength training into your routine. This will help build muscle, boost your metabolism, and contribute to long-term weight management.
Fitness Myth 2: You Can Target Weight Loss
Another mistruth on our growing list of fitness myths is that you can target your weight loss in a specific area of the body.
Body-targeted exercise routines such as ab workouts are famous for propelling this narrative.
Yet, fat loss, when it occurs, does so systematically or in other words as a whole. Not in just one spot.
It is also the result of your overall calorie expenditure and maintenance of a balanced diet.
Fitness Myth 3: No Pain, No Gain
The saying “no pain, no gain” is meant to be a motivational phrase.
It implies that to attain progress or success, you must be willing to endure some degree of discomfort or hardship.
In the fitness world, progress refers to achievements in strength building, endurance, or any other fitness goal.
This progress can be “gained” if the person is willing to push through the physical discomfort of an exercise.
The “no pain, no gain” mantra can actually lead to overtraining and injury.
While exercises are meant to be somewhat challenging, the workout should never persist to the point of pain as this can be a sign of physical harm.
It is important to always listen to your body and, of course, prioritize proper form to avoid injury.
Fitness Myth 4: Weightlifting Makes Women Bulky
This is among the most notorious fitness myths since it prevents women interested in exercise from reaching their full potential.
When people think of the ladies that lift they tend to picture the beautiful female bodybuilders with bulging muscles all over their bodies.
However, these women are part of a community of bodybuilders who aim to increase the size of their muscles and muscular symmetry.
This takes a very special fitness and nutritional regimen, not to mention, years to achieve. So, no, these women do not end up this way by accident.
Weight lifting or resistance training as it is also called, enhances muscle tone, metabolism, and overall bodily strength.
It does not make a woman bulk up or resemble a bodybuilder in any way. In fact, women do not possess the testosterone needed to achieve a “bulky” physique.
Fitness Myth 5: Crunches are the Key to Six-Pack Abs
This fallacy is truly awful and has undoubtedly earned its spot among the worst fitness myths of all time simply because it’s just…so wrong.
First, crunches involve flexing and extending your spine repeatedly which by itself can result in back injuries.
While you may feel your abs burning from the exercise, this is not how nature designed your core to move.
Moreover, many people don’t perform crunches correctly which could further endanger their neck.
In any case, crunches only target a few isolated muscles so they aren’t the best exercise for cultivating abs.
Second, aside from individual factors like genetics and muscle mass, you also need a certain percentage of body fat to make the abdominals visible.
For men, to see abs requires a body fat percentage of between 6% and 12% while women need a slightly higher percentage between 16% and 20%.
Finally, the best exercises that work your core are the ones that require it to move. So, think along the lines of pull-ups, planks, and squats.
Fitness Myth 6: More Sweat Equals More Calories Burned
When we exert a lot of effort in exercise, we sweat.
So, naturally, sweat is seen as an indicator or measure of how many calories are burned.
But, this is yet another one of those fitness myths circulating the stratosphere.
During exercise, your temperature rises which causes your glands to release sweat to help cool the body down.
Otherwise, you would overheat and that would be a very dangerous, life-threatening scenario.
Therefore, sweat is not a tell-tale sign of calories burned.
Fitness Myth 7: More Gym Time Equals Better Results
Last but certainly not least on our list of the worst fitness myths, is the belief that longer workouts equals better results.
Quality trumps quantity in most instances, specifically when it comes to exercise.
Not only will spending excessive amounts of time exercising lead to burnout, but it also won’t give you the results you’re trying to achieve.
There are a few reasons to prefer shorter intense workouts over longer ones, particularly for those trying to lose weight.
Shorter workouts increase metabolism, improve cognitive performance, and help burn more fat, among other benefits.
In a study, researchers discovered that people who exercised for just 30 minutes a day for five days a week lost more weight and body fat than those who exercised for an hour.
Fitness Myths Busted
These were some of the worst fitness myths perhaps ever invented because they are so prevalent and lead to potential injuries.
Hopefully, however, by uncovering the truth, people can make more informed choices about their fitness.
Special Thanks
Photo by Heather Ford on Unsplash
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