Bodybuilding might be the most misinterpreted sport of all time. Because it takes so much time and effort, people want to do it right the first time without any mistakes and rely on expert advice on how to do it. Most of these myths originate from that big guy at the gym or from the bodybuilding magazines who need to keep people reading whatever they put out. Today we debunk the 10 biggest fitness myths of all time.
You can't grow muscles after 40
While theres no denying the fact that the body achieves significant wear and tear until the age of 40, gaining muscles isn't an impossible task. The hormonal deficiencies at that age may cause the gains to be slower and seeing the result just a little bit difficult, but with a little determination its achievable.
More sweat = More Fat loss
Its quite surprising how many people are unaware of this. Sweat is your body's way of cooling down its temperature. While you may argue that more intense workout will produce more heat, it's dependent on your body's metabolism. It may be doing just enough workout to loose weight without sweating like a pig.
Creatine causes massive weight gain
Contrary to popular belief, Creatine is found naturally in the body. When taken in the right amount, it pulls water into the muscle cells causing them to expand. This myth originated from bodybuilders who mix Creatine with carbs and other bulking food.
Train Until Failure
Never in my life have I seen this principle being employed outside of the gym. Ever seen a group of construction workers lift bricks up to the point that they can't lift another brick? Yet they have greater strength and muscle than most of the people in the gym. By training till failure you are only overworking your body.
Fruit doesn't make you fat
No matter what you're eating, any kind of food when consumed in excess increases weight. Fruit contains carbs, whose abundance in the body basically stops the process of burning down fat for energy.
Yoga makes you ripped
Yoga is meant for body's flexibility and muscle toning rather than muscle building. It doesn't burn as much calories nor tears enough fiber to cause any significant change in the muscle tissues that will result in your body being "ripped".
If you want to lose fat, run as long as you can
If your goal is to be able to run for long distances, then yeah its a good idea otherwise it wont be the best way to lose fat. The longer you run on routine basis, the more your body adapts towards running and the calories consumption decreases over time.
If you aren't sore the next day, you didnt work hard enough
What is soreness? It's basically it is the chemical reaction to inflammation. When you've been working out for a while, the muscle fibers become strong the inflammation slows down. That doesn't mean that nothing is happening anymore. If you broke a personal best and are lifting bigger weights, it means your muscles are getting stronger. Simple as that.
Big Muscles = Strong Muscles
Put a bodybuilder and an Olympic lifter in front of the same barbell and see who can lift more. While there is no denying the fact that big muscles aren't strong, it's just that with different goals and training type you can achieve a lot more strength with seemingly smaller muscles.
To be come a bodybuilder, Train like one
You cannot compare your training with a genetically perfect bodybuilder who is on steroids half the time. You know your body type and your workout should suit yourself. By training like Mr. Olymia, not only are you setting possibly unachievable goals for yourself but also overworking your body.
