Crushing Five Common Workout Myths
Over my years as a personal trainer, I have heard some fascinating so-called ‘facts’ about exercise. There is so much conflicting information about exercise and weight loss that it is difficult to know what to do when it comes to working out.
So here is my attempt to ‘set the records straight when it comes to exercise. Us girls have enough trouble changing our bodies, so let’s get educated.
Myth #1: Crunches will help remove the weight off my tummy
Ha!!! I wish it were that easy. Unfortunately, you have no abs because they are covered by a layer (big or small) of fat. Your abdominal muscles are tiny in comparison, and when we are talking about fat loss and calorie expenditure, their input to this cause is minimal. Abs are made in the kitchen, so watch your nutrition and train hard to see the change you are searching for.
Myth #2: Weight training will make me ‘bigger’. I am ‘big’ enough!
Unfortunately, this is not the case. If we could build muscle that quickly and get ‘big’, I would be a billionaire. Unfortunately, women just don’t have the testosterone.
Weight training will ABSOLUTELY change your body shape, giving you muscle definition and shape, but by no means will weights make you ‘big’. The junk food you are consuming will make you a big girlfriend!
MYTH #3: High-intensity exercise doesn’t burn as much fat as low-intensity exercise – it just burns muscle.
The biggest problem with this statement is that the number 1 reason people don’t exercise is due to lack of time. Although low-intensity training aids in weight loss, you need to be there for a lot longer to get the same effect. So chances are –it won’t get done at all. The high intensity gets you fitter so that you can train harder and uses bucket loads more energy. Providing that we are eating properly and aren’t depriving the body of vital macronutrients, our muscles will stay put anyway!
MYTH #4: I just have never been able to sweat when I train
Sweat, to me, is the number 1 indication of how much a client has left in the tank. This is 100% a myth; you can sweat unless you have a medical condition that I have not yet heard of; you just haven’t tried hard enough. Again, don’t overcomplicate this; just get moving at the right intensity and get sweaty sunshine!!
MYTH #5: Girls must do light weights to tone, as big weights will make you bulky
Not so! Science tells us that in order to get disruption in the muscles, we need to lift heavy. The only thing you are gaining by lifting light weights for a long period of time is a hell of a lot of lactic acids. In order for our bodies to change shape, we need to lift weights that guarantee muscle disruption in order for it to repair and rebuild. Just lift to your maximum for the desired amount of reps. If you think you could lift all day, put the weights up.
I really do believe that knowledge is power, and the more educated we are when it comes to our health, nutrition, and fitness, the happier and healthier we are. My website is set up in an attempt to help girls on their journey to health. I really do believe that when we find the true meaning of health, weight loss and weight control can only be a positive side effects.
