Setting the Bar Straight: Debunking Common Gym Myths

When it comes to working out and staying in shape, many magazines, websites and other medias sources claim they have the perfect workout routine to get you to your goal. In fact, many things you read and may believe about fitness are false. I asked personal trainer Benjamin Guyard to help me sort out common myths many may believe.

One of the many concerns women have regarding the gym is the fear of getting bulky. Most go to the gym with the goal of toning their body without obtaining bulging muscles. In order to reach that goal, they often lift very small weights such as two or five pounds. According to Benjamin, “Lifting any weight won’t bulk anyone, girl or guy.” He suggests instead to “find a weight that will allow fifteen repetitions for three to four sets but that won’t be easy enough for you to do twenty.”

Along the same lines is the misconception that doing cardio-centered fitness is the best way to stay in shape. For many, cardio seems to be the go-to solution for losing weight.  But actually, by doing so “you risk eating up your muscle mass (however big or small it is) and you’ll actually be bony skinny instead of healthy skinny.” Aim for a workout that involves both cardio and weight training.

Another false notion that many weight loss articles claim to be true, is the ability to target weight loss in certain trouble areas of your body. In fact, “it is actually impossible to properly do ‘targeted fat loss’ (…) You can help it by training in certain ways each particular body part but it’ll still burn other body parts too.”

Some people also believe that keeping the same workout routine is ideal, especially if they are starting to see results. Benjamin believes that with such a routine all progress will eventually stop and maybe even regress.

“Our body has what is called ‘muscular memory’ which, with time, allows it to memorise workouts and energy savings/spendings if the workouts are constant and repetitive”. Once you stop seeing progress, it might be time to change it up a bit even if it’s simply changing from dumbbell to barbell.  

Being skinny also doesn’t exempt you from working out. “If you’re skinny, you need to work out to avoid becoming frail.” Various styles of training will allow you to tone or put on muscle mass.  

And lastly, contrary to popular beliefs, only doing crunches will not get you flat abs. “The key to flat abs isn’t constant repetitions, it’s planks and squats.” 

Images Obtained From : 

http://www.lomaxpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Home_Slider_Fitness@Lo…

http://nataliecass.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/woman_lifting_weights_…