3 OF THE MOST POPULAR MYTHS ABOUT FITNESS DEBUNKED
Crunches are key to rock hard abs. Cardio first and strength training second. If you’re a woman and lift heavy, you are going to get bulky.
If you’re one of the millions of Americans who attend the gym regularly, watch what you eat religiously, and still aren’t seeing the results that are being promised to you — chances are you’ve fallen victim to one of the many exercise myths circulating the fitness industry today.
The Summit Fitness Studio is here today to set the record straight. We asked each of our certified personal trainers about what they believe are the biggest fitness myths, and what you can do instead to reach your goals.
Myth #1 If You’re Not Working Out Regularly for Hours, You’re Wasting Your Time
While consistency is very helpful if your goal is to, say, lose weight or build a certain amount of muscle in a given period of time, simply “getting in shape” does not require hour upon hours of exercise. Studies have suggested that you can get in a great workout and reap many health benefits in as little as 20 minutes of exercise per day.
If you’re looking to make a greater impact on your physique, but still keep your workouts short, consider high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Just remember, there is no magic method to get into shape quickly.
Myth #2 You Must Take Supplements to Build Muscle
Supplements can be very useful to those looking to compete in a bodybuilding show but for the average person who practices weight training a couple of days a week — not so much. Yes, protein is indeed needed to build muscle and strength, so why not get that protein from your food?
This isn’t to say that having a protein shake here and there is frowned upon; it’s not. However, protein shakes can be high in calories, so if you plan on drinking them, make sure you are watching your caloric intake in the other things you eat as well.
Myth #3 Strict Cardio is the Best Way to Lose Weight
Believe it or not, if you want to lose weight, there are plenty of more effective ways other than cardio. You can still be lean and healthy, even without doing hours and hours of cardio on a machine.
At The Summit Fitness Studio, we suggest strength training if you want to lose weight and build lean muscle in the most efficient way possible. When you have more muscle mass, you are burning more calories when you are at rest. Another myth inside a myth is that females who participate in strength training get bulky. In reality, unless you are training for hours on end, eating in bulk, and taking specific supplements to get “big,” then your muscles are not going to dramatically increase in size.
At The Summit Fitness Studio, you’ll never have to worry about being steered in the wrong direction when it comes to your health and fitness. Contact us today to schedule a free one-on-one consultation with one of our certified personal trainers today!