Last updated on August 16th, 2015 at 08:39 am
Do you know how to get fit? There is a lot of information – and misinformation – about fitness. Working out doesn’t have to be confusing. Get your workout program started by busting these top five fitness myths.
Top 5 Fitness Myths
Myth #1: You can reduce the stress from running on your knees by running on a treadmill instead of pavement
Treadmill running promotes imbalances and damages your ability to run on pavement. The treadmill belt pulls your feet back as you run, and you may subconsciously change your stride which can put extra stress on your knees.
Myth #2: Sweat it out! If you aren’t sweating, you aren’t working hard enough.
Your body regulates temperature by sweating. If you aren’t sweating during your workout, you might have fewer sweat glands than others. The best way to see if your workout is having the impact you want is to check your heart rate.
Post spin class – no makeup and sweaty (check out the back of my shirt!) but survived.
Myth #3: No pain no gain
You do not need to be in pain in order to get a good quality workout. Pain won’t tell you if you are getting sucessful results. There shouldn’t be any pain during your workout. Pain would be a sign you are doing something wrong or pushing too hard. Uncomfortable is good, saying “ouch!” is not.
Myth #4: Lifting weights makes you bulk up
My recent post, Top 10 Reasons To Strength Train, busts this myth out of the water. Women avoid lifting weight with the fear of looking to bulky. When it comes to muscle size, the key is testosterone. Unless you are enhancing with supplements to help boost your testosterone level, your weight lifting results as women will offer smooth and defined results.
Myth #5: Ab workouts and plenty of crunches will reduce belly fat
You may have six pack abs with all the core workouts you do, but the only way to see them is to reduce body fat. The only way to see definition in any muscles is to lower your overall body through changes in diet and increase in cardio. Don’t stop working that core! Just because you can’t see them, doesn’t mean that core strength isn’t helping you everyday.
What myths do you have about working out?
Do you have ideas about fitness that are keeping you from getting started? Name a few in the comments, and lets discuss.
Go get your fit on – Heather
Heather Montgomery is a fitness writer, triathlete, and serial entrepreneur who is devoted to sharing what she has learned about becoming a triathlete after age 40. She uses her Metabolic Training Certification to help other women struggling to get fit in mid-life. She lives and trains in Santa Rosa, California, the new home of the Ironman triathlon. You can find her biking the Sonoma County wine trails.
Note: Articles by Heather may contain affiliate links and will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on an affiliate link.
