Biggest Misconceptions about Exercise & Fitness

Misconceptions About Fitness and Exercise

If there's one thing that I've learned being a fitness professional/enthusiast, it's that there are a lot of misconceptions about fitness, exercise, and training. In fact, I would go so far as to say that the average person has no idea what it actually takes to be in great shape. Furthermore, more often than not, those same people go about improving their fitness, by doing short-term, random bursts of things that don’t make a difference in the long run. And trust me, I've watched them stay exactly the same due to their incorrect beliefs and misconceptions about exercise. But, we can change our beliefs and habits around fitness and exercise just like anything else. All we have to do is be willing to learn and try. Read on for some of the most common misconceptions about fitness –and the truth behind them.

Weight Training Is Only For Men

One of the most common misconceptions we see often is that weight training is only meant for men to do. It is perhaps the idea of high intensity that makes it seem like that, but really, weight training is not only for men. This is because it can also be just as beneficial for women. In fact, weight training can help to improve a woman's figure by shaping the muscles, just like it does for men! However, a woman will hardly get buff to the point where it looks masculine. Do you know how many years of training and dedication it takes for a woman to grow big muscles? Plus, the more muscles we have, the more efficient our bodies work. More muscles equal a healthy boosted metabolic rate and helps us use fat stores for energy- bonus! So don't worry ladies, getting stronger will only mean looking better faster and more efficiently!

Cardio Is Mandatory For Fat Loss Many people believe that in order to lose weight, they must perform cardio exercises. This is a common misconception –while cardio is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, it is not mandatory for fat loss. In fact, some cardio can be stressful and therefore cause Cortisol spikes, making us hold onto fat due to an instinctual human survival mechanism. If you do cardio please make sure you enjoy it- dancing happily around the living room is better than dreadfully huffing and puffing away on the treadmill. One of the best ways to lose weight without doing any cardio is by following a healthy diet that puts you in a caloric deficit. In fact, a caloric deficit is the only mandatory thing when it comes to weight loss. Pair that with strength training and you will chisel a nice Greek sculpture out of yourself.

Only Calories Matter

Now, we just said that it’s only about calories when it comes to weight loss so you may think to yourself “So if I’m in a deficit, I can eat pop-tarts all day long and still lose weight?” And technically, that is correct. However, you have to provide the body with sufficient nutrients to sustain its proper functioning, especially when in a caloric deficit. So regardless of whether you are trying to lose or gain weight, make sure to derive your daily calories from quality food sources, such as animal products, fruits and vegetables.

Supplements Are Mandatory

It's a common misconception that supplements are a must when it comes to fitness training. And while supplements can be beneficial for some people, they are not a mandatory part of fitness. In fact, many people who are physically fit don't use supplements at all. There are a number of supplements on the market that claim to improve fitness or help with weight loss. However, these claims are often exaggerated or false, because frankly, supplements are the LEAST important thing to a fitness plan. Only when you have your training, eating, sleeping, and hydration down to a solid foundation, only then you can consider adding supplements! And if you decide to do that, don’t get too many of them because only a few are truly effective (protein, creatine, caffeine!)

Final Thoughts

So there you have it. Four fitness myths debunked for your reading pleasure. Now go forth and work on that six-pack with confidence, and focus on what truly matters -Eating, Training, and recovering! What’s another common misconception about fitness you know of? Comment