A Few Popular Beliefs About Fitness - Are They True or False?

As with any subject, all sorts of rumors, popular beliefs and sound facts circulate about exercise and fitness, and it is not always easy to separate the facts from fiction. Let us just have a quick look at some of those sayings you may have heard when it comes to trying to keep fit.

1. No Pain, No Gain

No pain, no gain is one of those overused phrases that you hear in countless Hollywood movies trying to portray a tough American image. You will also hear it used in relation to keeping fit. But is that really true? Do you really have to endure pain?

This is a misconception, maybe put around by gym sadists wanting to watch others suffer as they lift weights and work their way through all the other exercise equipment. In fact, exercise should not be painful; your body is telling you to stop. The pain is a way your brains gets the message to you that soemthing is wrong, and you should do something about it.

You will find that professional trainers tell you to stop your workout if you feel any pain. Continuing could cause you injury, or worsen an injury you have just suffered.

2. First Thing in the Morning is the Best Time to Exercise

When you first get up in the morning may seem like a nice time to exercise, but just think about it a while and you may realize that it may not be so good after all. When you exercise, you burn off a lot of energy. However, if you have just woken up and not eaten, you may not have all the energy you need to do your workout.

At the very least, you should have a light breakfast before getting into your full exercise routine, or you could become dizzy.

3. High Protein Bars, Shakes and Other Such Foods Increase Your Muscles.

Protein bars and so on may have some use in a limited amount, but they do not help you build your muscle strength. Maybe you have been watching too many television advertisements if you thought they did. Of course, you need portein as part of a balanced diet, but too much can actually cause health problems, for example, gaining weight, becoming dehydrated and even having kidney problems.

4. Women Should Not Lift Weights

This is not true either. As part of a workout, some weight lifting is fine for women, and it does not necessarily mean they become so muscle bound they look ugly. Women naturally have fewer muscles to bulk up than men, so the effect of lifting weights need not be so obvious. However, professional advice and supervision is a sensible starting point for any woman considering weights as part of her fitness regime.