Just don’t do it: 10 exercise myths

Just don’t do it: 10 exercise myths

Unraveling the truth behind common exercise myths can be a game-changer for your fitness journey. Let's debunk ten such misconceptions that may be hindering your progress and explore the science-backed facts for a healthier, more effective workout regimen.

Exercise is healthy, but it’s hard to keep it up

Daniel E Lieberman, Harvard professor of evolutionary biology, explodes the most common and unhelpful workout myths

Myth 5: You can’t lose weight walking

Most workouts don’t burn that many calories and just make us hungry so we eat more

Myth 7: It’s normal to be less active as we age

Despite rumours that our ancestors’ life was nasty, brutish and short, hunter-gatherers who survive childhood typically live about seven decades, and they continue to work moderately as they age.

Myth 9: ‘Just do it’ works

Most people don’t like exercise and have to overcome natural tendencies to avoid it. To promote exercise, we typically prescribe it and sell it, but let’s remember that we evolved to be physically active for only two reasons: it was necessary or rewarding.

Sitting is not the new smoking

People in every culture sit a lot, even hunter-gatherers who lack furniture.

Exercise is not a magic bullet

Although we never evolved to exercise, we did evolve to be physically active just as we evolved to breathe air, drink water, breathe air and have friends.

Myth 4: Our ancestors were hard-working, strong and fast

Most hunter-gatherers are reasonably fit, but they are only moderately strong and not especially fast.

Running will wear out your knees

Numerous high-quality studies show that runners are, if anything, less likely to develop knee osteoarthritis.

Myth 1: It’s normal to exercise

For millions of years, humans were physically active for only two reasons: when it was necessary or rewarding

Myth 2: Avoiding exertion means you are lazy

Physical activity costs calories that until recently were always in short supply (and still are for many people).

There is an optimal dose/type of exercise

Many medical professionals follow the World Health Organization’s recommendation of at least 150 minutes a week of moderate/vigorous exercise for adults

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