Wonder what's the best way to torch fat? Or perhaps you want to boost your strength and endurance? Take two fitness magazines and you'll find two different points of view. Today, we have access to information more than ever before. Yet, we're confused about what's right and what's wrong. Don't let the so-called gurus fool you! Here are some fitness rumors you should ignore:
One or Two Weekly Workouts Are Enough to Keep Fit Working out once or twice a week won't get you anywhere. It's just a waste of time. Ideally, you should do something every day, whether it's walking, swimming, or stretching. The whole point is to stay active and keep your body moving. If you're short on time,
exercise at least three times a week. This way, you'll keep fit and maintain muscle. However, if your goal is to gain mass or lose fat, it won't be enough. After all, athletes train five or six days per week for a reason.
You Can Spot Reduce Your Problem Areas No matter how hard you try, you can't lose fat from specific areas. Doing hundreds of crunches and sit-ups, for instance, won't give you a six-pack. The only way to shape your abs or legs is to train your whole body. Your workout should include a mix of strength training and high-intensity cardio. Not to mention that what you eat accounts for over 80 percent of your results.
More Is Better Too much exercise is just as bad as no exercise at all. Stop killing yourself in the gym! This will only increase your cortisol levels and affect lean mass. Overtraining puts you at risk for injury, muscle loss, chronic fatigue, joint pain, and cardiovascular problems. On top of that, you won’t be able to perform at your best. Your appetite will increase too, which may lead to overeating. In the long run, overtraining raises stress hormone levels, leading to weight gain, insulin resistance, poor sleep, and anxiety. This condition has also been linked to a higher risk of
depression and impaired immune function.
Strength Training Makes Women Bulky This is one of those fitness myths that refuses to die. Contrary to popular belief, weight lifting won't make you bulky. You need weights to shape your body and get rid of flab. Women have lower testosterone levels than men do. For this reason, they can not become "too muscular." Strength training will help you tone and tighten your muscles while boosting your metabolism.
You Can't Work Out When You're Sick Unless you have a fever or severe flu, hitting the gym won't do any harm. It can actually boost your energy and speed up healing. To stay safe, perform a lighter workout. Drop the intensity, take longer rest periods, and cut back on cardio.
Sweating Is the Key to Fat Loss Contrary to what you may have heard, swearing isn't an indicator of fat loss or workout efficiency. It's possible to burn hundreds of calories without breaking a sweat. Fat isn't going to vanish just because you’re sweating. Luckily, it's never too late to change your workout routine. If you've fallen for these myths, start all over. Come up with an exercise plan, track your progress, and adjust your routine accordingly.
