There are several misconceptions and myths about the fitness of women. Due to the lack of awareness, many people have unrealistic expectations from their workout regimes. But the fact is that women do have the ability and the strength to achieve great heights even from their regular regime. Therefore today, we are going to bust all the myths associated with female fitness and help you get a rational understanding of the same.
The Most Common Fitness Myths
There are many self-appointed experts available who will provide you with completely unreliable information online. As a result, most people, especially women tend to get confused about whether resistance training is good for you. We will here differentiate between the facts and the fiction. This will help you to make good progress and achieve your fitness goals.
Myth 1: Strength Training will Make a Woman Bulkier
This is one of the biggest myths about women’s fitness. The fact, however, is quite different. Strength training will not make a woman bulky until she supplements herself with testosterone and the calorie intake is much higher than the calorie burning.
The body of a woman naturally produces some amount of testosterone but it is just 10% of the testosterone that is produced in the man’s body. So the amount is not high enough to get a bulkier body that of a man. On the other hand strength training builds and tones the muscles and also raises the metabolism rate. You will certainly find more definition in your muscles after strength training but it will not make you bulky.
There have also been some studies that show that if you train with heavy weights, then you will also be able to lose weight. Moreover, strength training prevents muscle loss and also increases bone density. So if you start lifting weights now, it will certainly have a positive impact on your health and mobility in the coming days. It will also help you to stay fit after menopause.
Myth 2: Running is Always A Better Option Than Walking
This is also another very popular myth and most people believe that if you run, you will stay fitter than if you walk. But the reality is a little different. Both walking as well as running work the same muscle groups and therefore the health benefits from both of them are more or less similar. The main difference lies in the intensity of the workout.
It takes more time to expend the same amount of energy at the time of walking rather than running. If you are going from a sedentary lifestyle to a more active lifestyle, then walking will be quite a good option for you. It will improve your cardio fitness slowly and steadily.
Moreover, walking is a much lower impact activity in comparison to running. Therefore walking is much easier on your joints. This is much easier for healthier and heavier bodies. It is true that in comparison to running, walking takes more time to provide you with the desired result, however, you can break it up into shorter and much more frequent walks.
Myth 3: Exercise Machines Are Much Better Than the Free Weights
This is also one of the most common women’s fitness myths. The reality is something completely different than the existing myth. This is because most of the machines that are manufactured are engineered keeping the bodies of the men in mind. This makes it difficult for women when they are trying to find the right alignment. Moreover, these machines tend to target only certain specific muscles while you are seated and it burns fewer calories.
Therefore, instead of you relying on the exercise machines for strength training, it is always a better option to use free weights and resistance bands and perform bodyweight exercises. Moreover, you can also enjoy greater flexibility because there is a range of options available. You will thus be able to choose suitable equipment and will also be able to get a varied fitness time that will be more mobile for providing you with maximum effect.
Myth 4: Exercising Certain Muscles Helps in Fat Burning in Certain Areas
The fact is that there is no wayyou can burn fat in specified areas. This is not possible even if you do certain exercises targeting specified areas. If you are exercising a group of muscles, even then the fat burns at a very constant rate throughout your body.
Targeted workouts will not burn fats in those areas only. It will, on the other hand, tone the muscles which will start showing more definition as the workout routine reduces the overall amount of the body fat. Therefore, you should continue to attend the targeted fat-busting classes but the difference will not be seen in just one area of your body. It will be visible throughout your body.
Myth 5: You Shouldn’t Eat Right After a Workout
This is another female fitness myth and this can have a disastrous effect on the body of an individual. The reality is that after workout, nutrients are essential for your body. They help in healing your body and making, it stronger. So make sure that you do not deprive yourself. You should have a small healthy snack within 15 to 60 minutes after a workout.
This meal should not just contain sugar. It should also contain enough amount of carbohydrates and proteins. This will provide the necessary fuel to your body and make the workout a fruitful one.
Another very important fact that you will have to ensure is that you should not forget to stay hydrated before, during, and after the exercises. This will prevent the occurrence of dehydration and will also help the blood transport the necessary amount of nutrients and oxygen throughout your body. This will help you perform and recover better.
Myth 6: Stopping Your Exercises will Transform Muscles into Fat
This statement is as false as the statement that gold will get transformed into silver. If you take the right kind of nutrition and do proper workouts, the muscle will surely grow as a response to the training program. So if you suddenly stop weight training, the muscles will start getting smaller which is known as atrophy The muscle tissues will not miraculously get transformed into fat cells, they will rather get smaller.
Therefore, it is highly recommended that you should combine power training with healthy nutrition. In case of an injury where you suddenly have to stop training, then you should be cautious about the amount of food intake.
Summary
Just because you have watched something on TV or have read about something online does not necessarily mean that it is true. You will find information everywhere – from word of mouth to various publications. Therefore at times, it can be confusing. So you must do proper research about facts before jumping to any conclusion.
