Scenario: A workout buddy (who looks good in skin tight spandex) passes along an exercise tip and you believe it. You watch a late-night infomercial and become enticed by an ab-crunching, tae-bo kicking and hot-bod marketer. Why not believe them? Do they really know what they are talking about?
The fitness industry can become disheartening at times and many health ideas you hold dear are simply fiction. With health studies coming and going its hard to catch up but there are a few supported facts (tested by the American Council of Exercise) that might make you change your mind:
Myth 1: Running on a treadmill puts less stress on the knees than running on asphalt or pavement. The truth is: both put the same amount of weight bearing on the knees. There is no difference. If you are suffering from bad knees, use an elliptical, a rower or anything that is of low impact on contact with the ground. The harder you hit, the more damage you are causing. The absolute best thing is to change up your cardio by using a lot of variety. This way, your knees become stronger and less endangered of becoming injured. As an example: Use the stationary bike one day and swim on another day.
Myth 2: You can spot reduce! I have had clients coming to me with a whole wish list of the impossible: thinner waistline, bigger breasts, wider shoulders, large but tight buttocks and no change in the leg structure. It is important to remember that your genetic composition is also a determinant of what you can achieve. It is great to want to tone up, but remember that your body has the all-or-none rule. Fat reduction happens all over when toning up and body fat is lost in all areas of your body.
Myth 3: Strength training for women will make you look bulky. Oh girls… you can safely go hard on weights and you’ll look great! Females simple have not enough testosterone to be looking like Schwarzenegger on steroids. The more weight training you do, the faster you’ll burn calories, the easier it will be to maintain a tight butt and the better you’ll feel.
Myth 4. There is a magic bullet out there! Yet another joke. There is no quick fix. Nutritional supplements often use deceptive, misleading, or fraudulent advertising. So next time you buy a diet pill that promises a top figure, think twice. It’s probably too good to be true.
For Questions/Advise and interest in personal training: ns@theartofbody.com / 08123 89 09 99
