Top 10 Fitness Myths
March 18th, 2007
Since I have been involved with fitness for most of my adult life I have heard a million fitness myths. My personal training and working with others has helped me address many of the most frequent myths. Here are my top ten myths, are you following any of them.
Myth 1: No Pain, No Gain
This is probably my least favorite, maybe the longest running and a potentially dangerous myth. There is a difference between pain and discomfort, experiencing pain during any fitness routine can be a sign of trouble. Pain is your bodies way of telling you that something is wrong, be sure to listen. A successful long-term fitness program should include many elements starting with goals. If your goal is to gain muscle or improve endurance your fitness program may cause some discomfort, but once the exercise is done the temporary discomfort shouldn’t follow you for hours or days. Any signs of real pain should signal you to see a doctor. This lead directly into another common myth…
Myth 2: If I’m not sore the next day(s), I didn’t workout hard enough.
It seems that most people are in a rush to get results quick, but often injure themselves or give up working out all together. Muscle soreness is not a necessarily a bad thing, here are some points to keep in mind. Muscle soreness is caused by damage to the muscle fibers. Some soreness is expected but being sore for days after your workout most likely means you overdid it. If you’re sore after every workout, you’re not allowing your body time to recover, which is when your gain the most muscle growth. Setup a program that you can follow, this will include changing up routines as you plateau at certain exercises.
Myth No. 3: If I can’t workout often enough or hard enough, I might as well not even do it.
Simply not true, there are huge benefits to daily exercise. Studies show that a half-hour walk three or more times a week significantly reduces stress, risk of heart attack and stroke, lowers blood pressure, and boosts your energy and immune system. Any exercise does you good, a 15-minute walk, 30-minutes of cardio or a trip to the gym all help. Get up a do a little something.
Myth 4: I need to target different ads to get the look I want.
First, there are technically no separate areas of the abdominals. The six-pack that many people are looking for actually are part of one long muscle, called the rectus abdominis, that extends from below your chest to your pelvis. There are four areas you will want to target all four muscles: the rectus abdominis, internal and external obliques and the transverse abdominis.
Second, in order the see the muscles; you must reduce your body fat. To get the perfect six-pack takes effort including proper nutrition. Click here to checkout one of the JamCore training segments for suggestions.
Myth 5: I don’t need to warm up if I am careful or just doing cardio.
Warming up is always a good idea, whether you are working out or participating in sports. Warming up and stretching is the number one defense against variety of painful sports injuries, including tendonitis.
Myth No. 6: Strength training will make me “bulk-up”
This is usually more of a concern voiced by women who avoid weight training because they don’t want to bulk up. Strength training is a critical element to maintain a healthy weight and strengthen your body. Most women would have extreme difficulty gaining size due to a lack of hormones needed to gain muscle. Even men have a tough time gaining muscle and it’s something you have to work very hard to achieve, male or female.
Myth 7: Running is the best way to get fit.
Running is only one way; there is no one best way to get fit. Finding what is right for you is the best way; a routine that you enjoy and can stick with. Running may be right for some but actually be painful to others. Getting fit is a process that takes commitment and should be a great life-long journey. Look at your past fitness history, do you stick to your current routine, do you enjoy it?
Myth 8: The best time to exercise is early in the morning.
Similar to the myth above, there is no one best time to exercise. The best time is the time that appeals to you and fits into your schedule. Go with your rhythm, most people know what is right for them. Listen to you body and energy level, set your goals and get moving.
Myth 9: Drinking water during exercise will give you cramps.
This is the opposite of what’s true, most of us never get enough water. You need water throughout the day including before, during and after a workout, or other physical activity. Lack of water can lead to headaches, fatigue, body aches, and a host of other negative mental and physical symptoms. The more water, the better!
Myth 10: Taping an injury or past trouble area prevents further damage.
Taping is an aspect of sports and fitness that can have its issues. Strengthening your core and stabilizer muscles do much more for you. Tape can help support weak or injured areas but should not be relied upon. It’s usually more cosmetic than therapeutic, and it’s virtually useless for injured knees. If you think you need tape to play, you probably shouldn’t be playing. Again, always have a doctor check out any injury.
As always let us know what is on your mind, we are here to help you live a healthier life!
Popularity: 26% [?]
Loading ...