7 Fitness Myths That Are Stopping You From Getting in Shape
Do not believe all the false ideas about fitness that may be stopping you from reaching your goals. Myths like these often come from pop culture, influential people, or old information that can astray even the most dedicated fitness fans.
- Tricia Quitales
- 3 min read
A lot of people want to get in shape, but some frequently have beliefs that fitness can hurt them. This article debunks seven common myths, such as the idea that you need to do hours of cardio and that lifting weights will make you big. We’ll dispel each myth and tell you the truth, which will help you avoid problems and take the right approach to fitness.
1. You Need to Lose Weight
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Many people think the best way to lose weight is to spend hours and hours on an elliptical or treadmill. Cardio is good for you, but doing too much of it can make you lose muscle and even slow down your metabolism. For long-term fat loss, doing strength training and cardio is much more effective.
2. Lifting Weights Will Make Women Bulky
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Many women don’t lift weights because they fear it will make them look too muscular. The truth is that most women don’t follow a strict diet, and intense training is needed to build strong muscles. Instead, lifting weights can help tone the body, speed up metabolism, and get stronger without getting bigger.
3. You Should Always Stretch Before a Workout
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Static stretches may hurt your muscles before a workout, even though they make you more flexible. It’s better to warm up your body with dynamic stretches like arm circles or leg swings. Cooling down and avoiding injury with static stretches after a workout is better.
4. Eating After 8 PM Causes Weight Gain
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The idea that eating late at night makes you gain weight is not true. What makes you gain weight is the timing of your meals, not the total number of calories you eat. The most important thing is how many calories you eat all day, not the time. Eating after 8 PM won’t make you gain weight as long as you watch how much you eat.
5. More Sweat Means a Better Workout
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Some people think that working out hard makes you sweat more. However, sweating is just your body’s way of cooling down and doesn’t always mean your workout is working. Depending on the type of exercise, you can do a tough one that burns many calories without getting too sweaty.
6. You Have to Do High-Intensity Workouts to See Results
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High-intensity workout is cool, but it’s not the only way to get fit. Walking, yoga, cycling, and other moderate forms of exercise can also help you get fit and stay healthy. The most important thing is to make a routine that you can stick to.
7. Spot Reduction Is Possible
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Others think doing exercises like leg lifts to get thinner thighs or crunches to get rid of fat in certain areas can help. However, that’s not how fat loss works. Because losing fat comes from all over your body, it’s important to get rid of fat all over your body.