10 Fitness Myths You Need to Stop Believing

We all want to find the best way to get in shape, and there are a ton of rumors out there claiming to explain how fitness really works. To get the truth on what workout rumors are purely fictional, read on!

A Sweaty Workout Is The Best Workout

We have it ingrained in our heads that a good workout is one that leaves you sweaty and sore. So not true! It is best to switch up the intensities of your workouts. If you had a high intensity workout the day before, go for a low intensity workout next, like yoga.

Drinking Water Will Help You Lose Weight

While water does help curb your appetite and raise your metabolism, drinking water alone won’t do too much for your body. Pair about 8 glasses a day with a clean diet and exercise to see a noticeable difference.

Squats are Bad for Your Knees

If you are prone to knee problems or recently got a knee replacement, true, squats probably aren’t your best bet. But, if you do squats right, they are actually GOOD for your knees.  To do a squat right, squat as deep as you can but to make sure your knees do not go over your toes, transfer your weight onto your heels.

To Lose Weight, Eat Less

Unwanted fat is connected to the QUALITY of food we eat, not the QUANTITY.  If you are working out, you need to fuel your body with good food, do not starve yourself.  Focus on eating lean meats, fruits, and veggies.

Muscle Weighs More Than Fat

If you put a pound of muscle and a pound of fat on a scale they would weigh the same.  However, the difference is in density, or volume.  Two pounds of muscle might be the size of a baseball, whereas two pounds of fat might be three times that size.

Always Stretch Before

Yes, that is true, but not the stretching you’re thinking about. When most people stretch they stand still and hold a particular pose. That actually decreases the power of the muscle for a bit. Do a dynamic stretch instead. A moving stretch keeps the muscle in motion, which increases its overall strength and performance.

Don’t Workout At Night

Your body benefits from a workout at any time of day. But if you do hit the gym at night, give yourself extra time to unwind before hopping into bed. A vigorous workout energizes the body and the mind, which might make it hard to fall asleep soon after working out.

All You Need is Cardio

Cardio is very important but so is conditioning and strength training. Change up your routine and challenge your body to become stronger, leaner, and fitter. Runners have found that their times improve when they add strength training on top of their cardio workout.

Lifting Makes You Bulky

False! This myth has made so many women afraid of the weight room. Women aren’t built to bulk up the same way as men, due to lower levels of testosterone. To get the slim, but toned look go for heavier weights with fewer repetitions instead of lighter weights with more repetitions.

Sit Ups + Crunches = Six Pack

No, sorry. Sit-ups and crunches are timeless ab exercises, but you need more of a variety if you want to become more toned. Try exercises that target your whole core, like planks or leg drops. If you need some good ideas, just look on YouTube.

Long Workouts Are More Effective

Your body starts burning fat the minute you start working out, not after thirty minutes. If you don’t have time for an hour-long workout, go for a short, but more intense workout instead.

Real Results Come From A Gym

You don’t need a gym membership or fancy equipment to get results. All you need is motivation and you can have a killer workout anywhere. A yoga mat, free weights, a resistance band, and chair make the perfect at home gym.

You Can Spot Reduce Fat

In order to lose fat in one area, you have to lose fat all over. You can’t pick a spot and expect to see results by just focusing on that area.

More Exercise is Always Better

Your body needs time to recover. If you try to workout hard every day you will burn out. Focus on a few days of quality exercise a week. Go for a walk or do a relaxing yoga sequence to stay active on rest days.