Exercise Myths -- Exposed!
By Sara Butler
Taking on a new exercise program is a big deal. You must know what you’re doing if you’re going to do it right and to avoid injury that could keep you on the sidelines. In pursuit of your fitness and health goals, it’s important to know the myths from the facts. Here are a few of the most common exercise myths -- exposed!
Myth No. 1: Strength Training Bulks You Up
The truth of the matter is that strength training should be central to everyone’s exercise plan -- whether you’re training for Mr. Olympia or not. Development of big muscles comes from using heavy weights with fewer reps. If you use lighter weights with several reps, then you will build endurance and strength without building bulk.
Myth No. 2: To Burn Fat, Aim for Low-Intensity Cardio
In order for your body to burn fat, it needs to first burn off the available energy. So, high-intensity workouts are actually best for burning calories and carbohydrates than low-intensity. Remember that the next time you eat an ice cream cone!
Myth No. 3: You Don’t Need to Worry About Stretching
Stretching is important and essential to keep you safe when you work out. It helps to prevent injuries and will also prevent old injuries from coming back. You should start each exercise session with a combination of static and dynamic stretches that will help to increase the range of motion in your muscles and joints.
Myth No. 4: Workouts Should Be Long
If you think you need to spend hours sweating away at the gym, then think again. To get in shape you need just 150 minutes of aerobic exercise each week, and that’s according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. So, doing just 22 minutes per day of moderate aerobic exercise will help to get you in shape.
Myth No. 5: Crunches Will Strengthen Your Core Best
Crunches are so 1995. It’s now widely known that crunches may do more harm than good when it comes to the health of your back. They place a lot of stress and strain on the lower back and aren’t great for your posture either. If you’re looking to increase core strength, try a plank instead.
Falling for any one of these myths could leave you injured and worse -- decrease the effectiveness of your workouts. Develop a healthy workout routine that will improve your health and wellness and take the time to learn more about the best way to achieve your goals.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Brookfield, Wis.