The Myths Of Fitness
As with any endeavor we find ourselves looking to participate in, fitness is ripe with plans and concepts and programs that work, and those that do not. The last thing you want is to devote time, resources, finances, and sweat to those things which do not produce results. So with that in mind, let us examine a number of fitness myths and go through the debunking process.
#1 You can take weight off of specific areas of the body by doing exercises that target those areas. Commonly known as spot training, no, this does not work. When you lose weight, you cannot pinpoint with any accuracy where that weight loss will occur. Doing sit ups may strengthen your abs but it will not necessarily burn weight from the stomach area. Whenever you exercise, be sure to balance it with a selection of weight training exercises designed to help you lose weight and tone up your body.
#2: Women who lift weights will bulk up like a man. Weight lifting programs depend largely upon testosterone for success in building muscle, and since women have far less of this than men, it is impossible for them to build the same level of muscle mass. Instead, strength training for women usually means that they lose inches. All to say, guys, don’t worry about your lady becoming more manly than you are. Exercise to your heart’s content!
#3: Go big or go home. A lot of people feel that if you can’t really throw yourself into your exercise regimen, then, well, what’s the point? Not true. Even moderate physical activity has been shown to reduce risk for heart disease and stroke. 10 minute segments of exercise, placed throughout your day, are just as good as one hard fought 30 minute stretch. You can also find exercise in the simple daily routines, such as taking the stairs instead of an elevator, jumping rope or doing push ups and crunches during commercial breaks while watching TV. You can also take short walks after dinner or lunch. Any physical activity is preferable to none at all.
#4: Ab exercises will give you a flat stomach. This is the crazy first cousin to myth #1. The only way to get a flat stomach is to burn away the fat around your midsection, and this is only accomplished through cardio/aerobic exercise, strength training, and making use of a proper diet. Exercises will help strengthen the area, but it is the combination of all elements that makes the fat burn off.
Real Life Solutions
#5: You can burn more fat if you exercise longer but at lower intensity. If you want to lose weight, it depends on the number of fat calories burned. The faster and more intensely you exercise, then the more calories you will burn per minute. This is the most surefire way to lose the most weight the fastest.
#6: No pain, no gain. Exercise should not be a painful experience. Pain is our body’s way of telling us that something isn’t right. You should sweat and breathe hard, but once the pain starts, back off before you hurt yourself. Muscle fatigue is natural, but there is a difference between muscle fatigue and pain. Listen to what your body is telling you.
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