For a safer workout with awesome results, forget everything you think you know about exercise and read on to get your fitness facts straight.” Some myths are harmless half-truths, but many others can actually be harmful,” says professional triathlete and personal coach Eric Harr.
I only need to do cardio to burn fat
Weight loss is achieved by having a caloric deficit each day
- Resistance training helps shed unwanted body fat by elevating your Basal Metabolic Rate
- An increased BMR means that you’re burning more fat and increasing fat-free mass, even when you’re not working out
Lifting weights will make me look bulky
Rest assured, testosterone is the key to increasing muscular size and men have 20-30 times more testosterone than women, which is why they can bulk up so noticeably
- Women who regularly participate in resistance training can improve their health, boost metabolism, reduce the risk of osteoporosis, and help develop good feelings about themselves
If I don’t sweat, I’m not losing weight
Sweat is a biological response that cools your skin and regulates internal body temperature, it is how the body cools itself
I’m too heavy to exercise
Anyone can exercise, it’s just about finding the right type and intensity to suit your body.
Exercise while pregnant
Regular exercise during pregnancy can be beneficial for a woman’s fitness and psychological well-being, and prevent excessive weight gain in pregnancy.
- An Accredited Exercise Physiologist can be a great asset to your pregnancy team to show you how to exercise safely for you and the baby.
Sit-ups will give you abs and bust belly fat
Your body cannot spot reduce fat.
- We are all different and our bodies are predisposed to storing fat in certain locations in a certain order. When you lose weight, your body will lose the fat you currently have in a specific order.
You can’t exercise when you’re sick
Listen to your body and rest if possible.
- If your body is in pain or you feel weak, it is time to rest. Consider exercising at a lower intensity and/or shorter time periods than you would when in normal health.
