There are countless numbers of fitness myths out there.
Here are 10 popular fitness myths debunked!
#1. Myth: No pain, no gain.
FACT: While it’s normal to feel some discomfort during exercise, pain is not necessary for progress. Listen to your body and stop if you feel pain.
Don’t think you have to crush each workout, think of the long term goal and remember that consistently being able to show up to the gym is what really matters.
At Fit2Live each training session and workout is scaled appropriately to ensure our members get the safest and best workout each and every time they join us.
GET STARTED WITH US RIGHT HERE SO OUR COACHES CAN SHOW YOU HOW TO GET THE BEST WORKOUT EACH AND EVERY DAY.
#2. Myth: You can target fat loss.
Fact: Spot reduction is not possible. You can’t choose where you lose fat from, but overall weight loss and sound nutrition can lead to fat loss all over the body.
#3. Myth: Cardio is the only way to burn fat.
Fact: Strength training can be just as effective, if not more, at burning fat than cardio.
#4. Myth: Lifting weights will make you bulky.
Fact: Strength training will help tone and define muscles and will increase our lean muscle mass.
If you are eating in a caloric surplus regularly you may gain some extra “bulk”. If you are eating enough calories for your daily caloric needs that match your activity level this will ensure the increase of lean, not bulky, muscle mass. This is the functional muscle that we need to live our lives to the fullest!
#5. Myth: You need to sweat to have a good workout.
Fact: Sweat is not an indicator of a good workout. Some people naturally sweat more than others.
Sweating is really just how efficient our body is at removing waste, not an indicator of a good workout.
#6. Myth: Crunches are the best way to get abs.
Fact: Abs are made in the kitchen, not just in the gym. Nutrition plays a big role in getting visible abs. Plus, there are many other exercises that target the abs more effectively than crunches.
#7. Myth: You should work out every day.
Fact: Rest days are important for muscle recovery and injury prevention. Aim for at least one or two rest days per week.
We don’t get stronger and more fit inside of the gym. We get stronger and more fit by sleeping, having sound nutrition and hydration and managing our stress levels. By doing these things outside of the gym consistently our body recovers and grows stronger every day!
#8. Myth: You can eat whatever you want if you exercise enough.
Fact: You can’t out-exercise a bad diet. Nutrition is just as important as exercise for overall health. The truth is we spend the majority of our time outside of the gym and not working out.
The healthy lifestyle habits we create and consistently stick to will take our progress much further than any workout and will make your workout routine much more sustainable when you aren’t killing yourself over doing more, more, more!
Get to work on those healthy lifestyle habits and laying a solid nutrition and wellness foundation for life with Coach EJ HERE.
#9. Myth: Running is bad for your knees.
Fact: Running can actually be good for your knees if done properly and with proper form.
Having the proper technique, footwear, progression and muscular strength around the joints will make a world of difference to how running feels on your knees.
Check out this article on what to do when knee pain strikes!
#10. Myth: Stretching before exercise prevents injury.
Fact: Stretching before exercise can actually increase your risk of injury.
Warm-up with light cardio first (walking, rowing, biking, etc) then go to dynamic stretching (leg swings, animal crawls, rollouts, scorpions, etc.) to gain more muscular and joint range of motion. This is the smarter and safer approach to preparing for a workout. Save the static stretching for your post workout needs only if you are in need of more muscular flexibility and joint range of motion.
At Fit2Live we strive to give our members the BEST hour of their day. To put a smile on their face when they walk in the door. To support them and build them up. We play games, we high five, we fist bump, we banter and we encourage our members to try new things to have fun doing it.
WANT TO JOIN US IN MAKING YOUR FITNESS JOURNEY A FUN, SUSTAINABLE AND REWARDING ONE?
JUST SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION WITH US RIGHT HERE!
NEXT UP: 12 REASONS YOU NEED MORE STRENGTH TRAINING IN YOUR LIFE.
