8 Exercise Myths Proven to be False

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8 Exercise Myths Proven to be False

 

Do you believe in any exercise myths that have been around for a long time? With the development of the fitness craze, there is a lot of misinformation circulating. And many of us believe it, which can have the unintended consequence of inflicting more harm than good to our bodies.

This blog debunks certain online myths so you can get the most out of your workouts.

 

truth vs. myth

Credit: Ergo Plus

 

 

1) Myth: If You’re Not Sore, You Didn’t Have a Good Workout

 

 man in gym holding sore shoulder muscle

Credit: Fitbod

 

Truth: It's a prevalent misconception among exercisers that muscle discomfort and workout quality are linked. To put it another way, the sorer you are after a workout, the better, right? WRONG!

Soreness after a workout is not always indicative of a successful workout. While soreness and workout intensity are sometimes linked, muscular fatigue isn't always a reliable measure of a strong sweat session. Soreness can be caused by a variety of factors, but it isn't tied to the quality of your workout - it simply indicates that your muscles have been damaged and are in the process of repairing themselves.

Muscle aches can be avoided with proper healing. Refueling within the first 30 to 45 minutes after a workout, staying hydrated, and getting adequate sleep can all aid in recovery and reduce pain.

 

2) Myth: If You Sweat a Lot, You’ll Burn a Lot of Fat

 

 man on run with sweat mark on shirt

Credit: Greatist

 

Truth: Technically, the answer is no. During a hard fat-burning workout, you'll undoubtedly break a sweat, but the sweat isn't the reason you burn fat. For example, just because you're sitting in a pool of your own sweat doesn't mean you've burned a lot of calories. Sweating is a method of cooling. Your brain signals that it's time to sweat when your core body temperature rises, whether from exertion or heat.

When moisture on your skin evaporates into the air, it releases heat, which helps to return your body temperature to normal. While sweating does not burn fat, the internal cooling process indicates that calories are being burned. So, if you want to increase your fat-burning potential, concentrate on your degree of intensity rather than your sweatiness.

 

3) Myth: Ab Exercises Burn Belly Fat

 

 Man doing ab crunches on exercise mat at home

Credit: Syda Productions

 

Truth: If you've tried and failed to lose fat around your belly by doing ab workouts, you might want to reconsider.

People frequently believe that doing planks, crunches, and other ab exercises would help them lose belly fat, but the truth is that ab workouts do not burn belly fat. If you want to strengthen your core, exercises like mountain climbers and leg lifts are wonderful, but ab workouts alone won't cut it if you want to lose belly fat.

When you exercise, you have little control over which parts of your body lose fat. Body composition and shape are heavily influenced by genetics. However, if you eat a well-balanced diet and exercise regularly, you should be able to reduce fat from numerous portions of your body including your belly.

 

4) Myth: Extreme Calorie Restriction Is an Effective Approach to Shed Pounds

 

broccoli carrot tomato on scale weight loss

Credit: Shutterstock/Pixelbliss

 

Truth: People who are trying to reduce weight generally restrict their calorie intake.

However, significantly reducing calories can result in a range of health issues, including fertility issues and brittle bones. Your metabolism can slow down if you eat fewer calories than your body requires regularly.

Furthermore, the slowed metabolism may last even after the calorie-restricted diet has been discontinued. Your body goes into hunger mode if you don't eat enough. It begins to store fat as a source of potential energy. Instead of starving yourself, eat more regularly and consume less food at once.

 

5) Myth: Weightlifting Makes You Bulky

 

woman heavy weight lifting in gym

Credit: iStock/jacoblund

 

Truth: Many people (particularly women) are scared that lifting weights would make them bulky, which will inevitably modify their shape into something they don't like. Weight training always does one thing: it makes you stronger. Because women have a different hormone profile than men, they will not bulk out like men. Men have higher testosterone, which helps them gain muscle mass.

Women's hormone profiles, thankfully and sadly, allow them to tone without becoming bulky but also prevent them from losing all the weight they wish as quickly as men. A healthy diet will help them achieve their desired weight loss.

 

6) Myth: When You Exercise, Fat Transforms Into Muscle

 

double image man one skinny inshape one fat

Credit: Caliber Fitness

 

Truth: The truth is that losing weight and gaining muscle are two completely different processes. Although the two processes are intertwined, claiming that fat can transform into muscle is a gross simplification of what occurs.

Muscle mass and fat are not the same things. Muscle is an active tissue that consumes calories all day, every day, even when you're sleeping! You burn more calories the more you move. Fat, on the other hand, is merely a form of energy storage. Its main function in your body is to store energy until it is needed. You must reduce weight in order to lose fat, and decreasing weight requires burning more calories than you consume.

 

7) Myth: Cardio Is the Most Effective Strategy to Shed Pounds

 woman and man on treadmill running side by side

Credit: Quick and Dirty Tips

 

Truth: If you want to lose weight, running on the treadmill for hours isn't necessarily the greatest option. Yes, traditional aerobic workouts (together with a balanced diet) will help you achieve a daily calorie deficit, which is necessary for weight loss. However, because increased lean muscle mass helps your body burn more calories at rest, you'll be adding to this deficit without doing anything in the long run.

It's a good idea to do a mix of high-intensity cardio and strength training. Remember that when it comes to weight loss, having a well-thought-out eating plan is essential.

 

8) Myth: You Should Exercise Every Day

 Woman doing pushups with everyday of week text

Credit: iStock

 

Truth: To reduce weight, you don't have to exercise every day of the week. You may more efficiently burn fat, enhance your metabolism, and shed pounds by focusing on 3-5 high-intensity workouts per week. Rest days are just as important for your body as workout days. Working out causes muscle fibers to break down so that they can rebuild stronger. To accomplish so, though, you must allow your body time to recover from your workout. It is recommended that you take at least 1 to 2 days off per week.

 

Summary

So what are the most common exercise myths you've heard? When you have two camps telling you what's best, working on your fitness might be intimidating. We hope that this article has helped debunk some of the exercise myths you've been hearing for years and has helped give you a starting off point for your fitness journey.

Acupoint is a well-known manufacturer of fitness equipment. We sell top-of-the-line workout equipment; Acupoint is known for its high-quality, high-performance items from New York to California. With Acupoint, you can now work out at home!

 

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