Common fitness myths... explained!

Whether you've just started your fitness journey, or are experienced in your training, we've stamped out some of the common fitness myths to help you along the way! 

Myth #1

'Working out in the morning is better for you'

Many of us have heard lots of different opinions and thoughts on what is best for our bodies! However… it’s important to understand that we are all extremely unique and different – you’re one of a kind!

There is no clear evidence to suggest that a morning workout is better for you than an afternoon or evening workout. With lots of us having super busy schedules, being able to incorporate a workout into your day is an achievement in itself!

Some people feel more energised in the morning, and others don’t… and that is totally fine! But for this myth… it purely depends on you and how you’re feeling.

Myth #2

'Lifting weights will bulk me up'

There are a variety of benefits to lifting weights… which do not involve bulking up and gaining a huge muscle mass! These include:

• Improving your heart health
• Keeping your tendons and joints activated to improve movement
• Increases your metabolic rate, and in turn, the number of calories you burn
• Posture improvement

In actual fact… it’s pretty hard to gain muscle as a woman, yet a little easier for a man, determined by a person’s specific hormonal levels.

Your diet will also play a huge part in whether you gain muscle or not. Eating a balanced diet, and less processed foods is a great place to start! However, you’d need to eat a whole LOT more protein in your diet in order to gain muscle mass! For this myth – it’s false. 

Myth #3

'If I don’t ache the next day, I didn’t train hard enough!'

Have you ever woken up the next day, shocked that you aren’t aching one bit after an intense workout the day before?! 

Lots of us think that being sore after a workout is a sign that we’re pretty damn unfit and may need to start getting your body used to training again. However, people who have been training consistently for years still wake up the next day and experience muscle aches!

With everyone at different stages in their training journey, it’s important not to compare ourselves to others. How sore you feel or how much your muscles ache depends on a variety of different factors:

The job you have / the work you do

Sometimes you may be unintentionally using muscles day in and day out, that you didn’t even realise! For example, if you are walking up and down a flight of stairs, or doing a repetitive movement, these can impact on your muscle recovery. This is the same when we hardly use particular muscles, and when we workout, wow it’s sore the next day!

How long you have been training for…

Muscle memory is a real thing, even if you haven’t trained for a while, your body remembers how to activate and work the muscle, as well as how to effectively recover post-workout. 

Your diet and nutrition

Depending on how much protein you intake, this can affect the recovery process after working out. Some of us need a little, some of us need a lot! Eating wholesome foods as part of a balanced diet is likely to help your body function effectively and help with those sore muscles.

So if you don’t ache the next day, don’t be too hard on yourself! This, again, is not true!

Disclaimer: Please consult a qualified strength and conditioning coach, nutritionist, dietician, or doctor for any professional advice regarding diet and training, as discussed above.

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