Fitness Myths

The Biggest Fitness Myths

Things your might have heard.. But are they true?

Lets put some big fitness myths under loop, shall we?

Stretching before your workout is crucial

There is no use in stretching before your workout. Before your workout your muscles aren't warm yet, because of that your destabilize your muscles, forcing them to a position they're not used to. Which makes them weaker. Right before a strenuous workout, that's not what you want. Instead do a small cardio warm-up to get the blood pumping and stretch after your training.

Training your abs will get rid of belly fat

All infomercials tell you the same.. Train your abs with this awesome machine and you will have a six pack in a week. Maybe the fitness myths category isn't the right for this one, we can file this one under nonsense. Training your abs is definitely good, but! To have a six-pack you need to SEE the abs. And for that you need a overall low percentage of body fat. Since it's not possible to burn fat on one specific section, you need to burn the fat from your whole body. That's the only way to get nice six-pack abs. Upside, if you burn your body fat your six-pack won't be the only sexy part of your body.

Luckily not all products are junk. The truth about six-pack abs is focused on getting you a six-pack but in the realistic way. First cut down your body fat, by training and feeding your body properly. No use of fitness myths in this book.

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Swimming is a great weight loss activity

Although swimming is great for toning, endurance and lung capacity it will probably not help you lose weight. Because our body is floating all the time, you're actually not working as hard as you think. You get greater result by doing full body exercise on land. Say by doing interval training workouts.

No pain No gain

The biggest fitness myths of them all. In order to get results you have to suffer. Pain in the sense of soreness a day after a training is no problem. But it's different if you're actually feeling pain while doing a exercise. This mean you either have an injury or that you're working towards one. In both cases stop immediately, rest for the next few days. In cases the pain doesn't go away or increases consult your doctor.

Machines are safer

Machines guide your movement, which prevent injury by a bad form. BUT what makes it a fitness myth.. it's only the case if the machine properly adjusted to your height and weight. Otherwise the risk of doing the wrong form is just as big. Be sure to ask a coach or trainer at your local gym to adjust the machine to your needs. Or try a body weight routine.

Women get bulky if they train with weights

You would think this is true right, since it happens to men when they train.. Still it's one of the real fitness myths. The biggest reason for guys to become bulky is the hormone Testosterone, which is made in the testes.. Which women don't have! So the chances for women to become bulky are quite small, especially if do a high number of repetitions with a lower weight. Check out the workout routines for women.

The more intense your workout is the more fat you burn

If you're looking to build muscle you should train as intense as possible. However, if you're goal is to lose fat, this isn't the case. For you it's better to aim for your target heart-rate. If you are huffing and puffing, it means your body isn't getting enough oxygen... oxygen it needs to burn fat. Try doing a cardio workout routine, keeping a steady pace on that heart level.

The Perfect Workout Routine

There is definitely no such thing! First of all you have to find what works for you. That doesn't necessarily mean it also works for me. Apart from that, if you're doing the same routine for too long you're body will get used to it, or in some cases become injured. It both cases it mean your progress is slowing down. That's why people change their workout routine after 4-6 weeks. However you can get a near perfect training program. My favorite program is the Turbulence training program, which is a 4 week or more program containing high intensity workouts, to both burn fat and strengthening your muscles. It's written by Craig Ballantyne who is a personal trainer has written for large magazines like Men's Health and Oxygen.


So as you can see, there are a lot of fitness myths out there. Probably more than I just covered. The important thing is, every time you hear something, don't just take it for the truth. Do some research or check your source.

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