Many people who regularly workout know that certain techniques and schedules can show more results than others. Several workout myths, although untrue, are still followed by a majority of workout beginners. These can cause serious injuries and not even contribute to the benefit of the workout.
The website checkyourhealth.org presents the most common exercise myths, with the first one being that exercise burns more calories. Straight cardio will burn barely any calories, but what matters is combining cardio and working out with a healthy, balanced diet.
The second myth is that a lot of sit ups will automatically make one’s stomach flat. The purpose of sit ups are to tone and firm the abdominal muscles, not to burn the fat on top of the muscles.
When people believe the myth of working out for fifteen minutes a day for only three days a week is enough, they are not even receiving the recommended minimum workout. This myth is very wrong considering that people need thirty minutes of intense workout every week for three days to stay healthy.
A common misconception that is told is that aerobic training, or workouts requiring oxygen, is more important than strength training. Both are equally important to maintain leanness and muscle. Strength training even helps with weight management because more muscle makes it easier to burn resting calories.
It is always said to stretch before one exercises so he/she does not pull a muscle. Although this could prevent injury, it is much more needed to stretch after a workout when the muscles are warm, to improve flexibility.
Another popular workout myth says the best time to workout is first thing in the morning, in order to wake up and get one’s muscles moving for the day. There is no specific time that is the most beneficial, but it is beneficial to just workout at all.
The last misconception, and possibly the most listened to, is that a gym membership or trainer is needed to achieve one’s physical goals. This is the farthest from the truth out of all of the myths, because anyone can achieve their fitness goals from their own home. There are plenty of online resources to help people meet their goals that do not require a chunk of money to get.