Fitness Myths & Fallacies

Fitness Myths & Fallacies

No Pain, No GainNo Pain, No GainThis is not true. Many of the benefits

of exercise are achieved through sub-maximal effort. Pain is an

indicator that an exercise may lead to injury or excessive fatigue.

Exercising at a level that causes pain would also cause motivational

problems in the athlete.

This is not true. Many of the benefits of exercise are achieved through

sub-maximal effort. Pain is an indicator that an exercise may lead

to injury or excessive fatigue. Exercising at a level that causes

pain would also cause motivational problems in the athlete.

Muscle turns to fat when you stop

exercising

Muscle turns to fat when you stop

exercisingThis is not true. Muscle and fat are

different types of tissue and one cannot turn into the other. This myth comes from the fact that when you stop exercising your

muscle mass reduces.

This is not true. Muscle and fat are different types of tissue and one cannot turn into the other. This myth comes from the fact that when you stop exercising your

muscle mass reduces.

Sports Drinks are better than waterSports Drinks are better than water

Some sports drinks are better for very long duration activities where the

body is working close to exhaustion and requires carbohydrates &

minerals. For all other activities, water maintains the body’s hydration

and provides all the requirements when exercising.

Some sports drinks are better for very long duration activities where the

body is working close to exhaustion and requires carbohydrates &

minerals. For all other activities, water maintains the body’s hydration

and provides all the requirements when exercising.

Sweating helps weight loss

Sweating helps weight loss

True, sweating can reduce weight significantly over a short period of time due to water loss. However,

this will be replaced as soon as the athlete drinks. This technique should not be used in an attempt to reduce

weight and the consequences of dehydration can be severe.

True, sweating can reduce weight significantly over a short period of time due to water loss. However,

this will be replaced as soon as the athlete drinks. This technique should not be used in an attempt to reduce

weight and the consequences of dehydration can be severe.

Specific exercises can reduce fat in a particular part of the

body.

Specific exercises can reduce fat in a particular part of the

body.This is not true. For example, a person

cannot lose weight from their stomach by doing sit-ups. Sit-ups

would tone the abdominal muscles, but fat can only be lost by ensuring that the body is using more energy

than it takes in. Fat loss will be distributed over the whole body.

This is not true. For example, a person cannot lose weight from their

stomach by doing sit-ups. Sit-ups would tone the abdominal muscles, but fat can only be lost by ensuring that the body is using more energy

than it takes in. Fat loss will be distributed over the whole body.

Weight is an accurate indicator of body composition

Weight is an accurate indicator of body composition

This is not true. If a person starts exercising & reduces their calorie intake, then they will lose body fat & increase muscle mass. Muscle is heavier than fat, so although the person is achieving their desired

result in terms of their physique, it may not be reflected on the scales.

This is not true. If a person starts exercising & reduces their calorie intake, then they will lose body fat & increase muscle mass. Muscle is heavier than fat, so although the person is achieving their desired

result in terms of their physique, it may not be reflected on the scales.

Older people, pregnant women, & those with medical conditions

should not exercise

Older people, pregnant women, & those with medical conditions

should not exercise

This is not true. Exercise is beneficial to almost everyone. Individuals in the

above groups, or those with a specific concern, should seek medical

clearance and professional advice. There will be some sort of exercise or

activity to suit most needs.

This is not true. Exercise is beneficial to almost everyone. Individuals in the

above groups, or those with a specific concern, should seek medical

clearance and professional advice. There will be some sort of exercise or

activity to suit most needs.