Regular exercise can bring you far but training misconceptions could derail the progress.
In gym life, you will come across thousands of advice online and personal, which could steer conflict to your workout. To set it straight, we debunked the six of the biggest fitness myths so you will avoid those workout traps that do more harm than good.
So the next time you sport the best base layer or thermal base layer to hit the gym, you can avoid these five common myths:
1. MYTH: Morning is the best time to workout
TRUTH: Some studies claim that morning exercise will help speed up weight loss as it prepares the body to burn more calories and fats by enhancing your metabolism. It could be true that morning is the best time for a workout, at least for some people. But it does not generally apply to everybody. What could work for everyone is to find the best time to perform the exercise consistently, not necessarily in the morning. If your schedule permits you to do consistent workouts at night, then stick with it but if you would become more consistent in the afternoon, use that time.
2. MYTH: Crunches are the best way to a six-pack
TRUTH: Crunches only targets the abdominal muscle. Experts say that one should not rely on crunches or sit-ups alone, as they enhance a few muscle groups. Instead, a person should combine interval training to effective utilisation of carbs, having enough rest and sleep, and keeping the stress level low. More importantly, the right selection of training movements and dynamic patterns will help develop a strong core.
3. MYTH: Workout is the best mean for weight loss
TRUTH: One of the biggest reasons of people why they work out is to lose weight. While doing exercises can burn fats and calories, the best way to slim down still lies behind your eating habits. Just what many trainers tell their students, “workout alone is not enough, there should be a well-balanced diet.”
4. MYTH: Weight training turns fat into muscles
TRUTH: There is no way fats can be turned into muscles. These two things are physiologically different. This is as fats are found under or around internal organs while muscle tissues are present throughout the body. When you are performing weight exercises, these muscle tissues are built around fatty tissues. Meanwhile, you can burn these fats through exercise and a balanced diet (just like those mentioned above).
5. MYTH: You need electrolytes after every workout
TRUTH: Sports drinks that are rich in electrolytes should be taken when they are really necessary. Such as after intense hours of cardio workout or weight training. Too much intake will hamper the process of fat burning as these sports drinks contain a big percentage of sugar.
6. MYTH: Cardio workout should be done first
TRUTH: You would not be surprised if you see a lot of people go straight on a treadmill upon arrival in the gym. This is a product of a misconception that cardio workout should be done first.
A lot of people are not aware that doing the strength training first and the cardio exercise next will be more effective. “Running or doing other cardio first will reduce glycogen levels, which can prevent you from training as hard as you need to. On the other hand, weight training first will increase levels of testosterone and cortisol Both of which are beneficial to your workout.”