Exposing 4 Common Fitness Myths

If there's one thing that every fitness enthusiast can all agree on, it's that there are a LOT of misconceptions about exercising and training.

With all the tips, tricks, and hacks posted online, it can be confusing for us to know what it actually takes to get into shape. More often than not, these fitness trends can cause us to go about improving our fitness by doing short-term and random bursts of things that don't really matter.

We've all tried a challenge or workouts we've found online before, and those are a great place for us to start! But to start seeing the results we want, we need to know the truth about how we can actually get in shape.

Keep reading to learn the four most common misconceptions about fitness–and the truth behind them!

Weight Training Is Only For Men

One of the most common misconceptions we see often is that heavy lifting and weight training are only meant for men.

Maybe this is because we think to lift heavy, you need a high amount of intensity or because we see these male powerlifters with huge, bulky muscles, but really, weight training can be just as beneficial for women as it is for men. In fact, weight training helps improve everyone's functional movements, increases athletic performance, and can help women build lean muscle mass to shape their muscles the way they want!

So ladies, don't worry about weight lifting, causing bulky muscle mass. Weight lifting will help you gain strength, confidence, and improve your overall health. Talk about a win-win-win!

Cardio is Mandatory for Fat Loss

Plenty of people start their fitness journey with the goal of fat loss. Many of us are told right at the beginning that to lose weight, you have to do cardio exercises.

This is a very common fitness myth - while cardio is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, you do not have to strictly perform cardio workouts to achieve fat loss! There are tons of other ways to begin losing fat that don't involve spending endless hours on the elliptical. 

You can start a fitness regimen that adds more movement into your daily routine with activities ranging as gentle as yoga to as high energy as zumba! You can alternate cardio with strength training to begin losing fat and building muscle simultaneously.

The best way to lose fat is through consistent movement and training, and the best way to do that is by trying new and exciting ways to exercise and move!

Only Your Total Daily Calories Matter

Diet and exercise go hand in hand for good health. When you search online for the best way to lose weight, the first answer you'll see is that you need to be in a calorie deficit (which means eating and drinking fewer calories than you burn in a day.)

So why do some of us track our calories, stay in a caloric deficit, and still don't see results?

Although the number of calories you consume can be important, you need to focus on providing your body with sufficient nutrients to sustain proper function (especially if you're trying to stay in a deficit.)

Whether you're trying to gain or lose weight, it's important to make sure you're deriving your daily calories from quality and nutritious food sources!

Supplements Are a Shortcut to the Results You Want

Taking supplements is becoming one of the newest and biggest questions about getting fit. The biggest myth is that taking supplements is a shortcut to weight loss or getting bigger muscles. 

The role supplements play in your fitness journey is exactly what they suggest - they SUPPLEMENT your nutrition. 

Supplements alone will not provide miracle results. The best way to reach your fitness goals (whether it's fat loss, weight loss, or muscle gain) is to stick to a well-balanced nutrition plan and to follow a well-structured exercise plan.

When getting fit, prioritize creating a foundation based on training, eating, sleeping, and hydration. Once you have that routine nailed down, talk with a professional about incorporating supplements into your diet based on your training goals!

Final Thoughts

There you have it! The top 4 training myths exposed, debunked, and set straight to help you get focused on what's important! Now go work towards your fitness goals with confidence and focus on what truly matters - proper training, healthy habits, and adequate recovery!

Know of another common misconception that we didn't list? Comment below and let us help answer it for you!