Fitness Fables
The fitness world is full of cliches like “no pain, no gain” and “more sweat, less fat.” But are these old adages true? Get the truth about fitness fables and the best ways to get and stay in shape.
“No Pain, No Gain.”
It’s normal to have sore muscles when you first begin a new fitness routine. But joint pain, bone pain, muscle strains, and ligament or tendon strains are potential signs of injury and should be heeded as a warning to back off. It’s best to ease into a fitness routine to avoid injury rather than push yourself too far, too fast.
“More Sweat, Less Fat.”
The idea is that the more you sweat during your workouts, the less fat you’ll have on your body. This is not true. How much you sweat is indicative of your body’s ability to regulate body temperature. It has nothing to do with how much energy is being expended, how many calories you’re burning, or how in shape you are.
“Drinking Water Causes Cramps.”
Some people will avoid drinking water before working out in order to prevent muscle cramping. In fact, cramps are actually a side effect of dehydration. Drinking water can actually help reduce your risk for muscle cramps before, during, and after your workout.
“You Can Target One Area of Your Body for Weight Loss.”
Experts say it is physiologically impossible to lose body fat in a targeted area. So doing hundreds of crunches won’t help you get rid of belly fat, specifically. The truth is that fat is lost or gained throughout the entire the body, and the places you gained it first will probably be the last areas where you notice losing it.