Are These Exercise Myths Holding You Back?

You don’t want to waste the precious time you have at the gym. There is an overwhelming amount of information available about how to get fit and healthy, but it’s not always reliable. Have you fallen for any of these myths?

1 - To lose weight you need to focus on cardio

Cardio exercise can certainly assist with weight loss, but on its own is not the most effective approach. Combining resistance training and cardio will help you build strength, develop fitness and achieve weight loss. Including weight training will help to develop some muscle, which will increase your metabolism and the amount of energy you burn after your sessions.

---

2 - Stretch before your workout

You’ll see many runners doing a stretch before they set out, but is this the best strategy? Stretching muscles when they are cold can increase the risk of injuring them. To prepare your muscles for your workout, do a warm up and save your stretch for the end of your session. Stretching at the end will assist with reducing muscle soreness and improve your flexibility.

---

3 - The longer you do cardio the better

Increasing the amount of times you move your body will help achieve your goal, but simply continually increasing the time you spend doing cardio in a session is not the most effective method. Simply increasing the amount of time you spend doing the exact same cardio will cause boredom and increase the risk of injury. To get more out of your cardio, work harder for shorter periods and vary what you do.

---

4 - Heavier weights are always better

Lifting heavier weights is a great way to build muscle and strength but the most effective way to do this is to lift weights that you can control with great technique. Technique is king over lifting heavier. By focussing on technique you will achieve better results and reduce the chance of getting injured. So check your ego at the door and improve your technique.

---

5 - Eating less on workout days increases the results

Most people want to burn some fat and improve their results, but what is the best way? A simple tip for ensuring you get more out of your workouts is to eat before and after workouts. Eating a snack before your workout will help give your body the energy it needs to perform at its best and eating after will help it recover and assists your muscles to repair and develop.

---