Fitness…Fact or Fiction

Time to test your fitness knowledge! See how you stand up under pressure with these statements. Are they fact…or fiction?

Weight training isn't good for women. It makes them bulk up and look like the Arnold Schwarzenegger contest competitors.
Unfortunately many trainers still preach this and it just isn't so. Although most women probably do not want to have that professional body-building bulk, they wouldn't get it with the basic weight lifting anyway that was added into their fitness routines. And science and medicine support this.

What happens is that there are physiological differences between men and women, and men on the whole have a higher percentage of muscle in their bodies. So men build up bulk with their weight lifting. However, women have a greater percentage of fat for aiding in child birth, lesser percentage of muscle – so less to bulk up. The reason why weight training is important for women is so that the muscles become stronger, bulkier.

Protein shakes, bars and other foodstuffs will help build muscles.
Health bars, shakes, snacks and other healthy foodstuffs are great. But heads up, protein is wonderful for your diet, but it doesn't help you increase you build muscle strength. In fact, too much protein can lead to health problems like dehydration or kidney strain, not to mention extra pounds.

If you want to build muscles, one of the best sources of fuel for this is carbohydrates. They are easy to digest and offer fast, constant energy for your body. Thus you will be able to lift weights longer or endure, which in itself builds strength.

No pain, no gain!
People push themselves with their fitness programs often because they hear this saying all over. Truth is, this is fiction. In fact, exercise that is done correctly should not be painful. Professional trainers even tell their clients to stop working out when they first feel pain. Otherwise, working out, you could actually hurt yourself and sustain in injury. The bottom line here is that discomfort is one thing and OK. However, pain is NOT ok.

You Should Exercise First Thing in the Morning Before You Eat
This sounds like sound advice so that you begin by burning off the fat you have stored. However, it's fiction. The truth is your body needs to have energy for exercising, and you need to provide some fuel for it to avoid getting dizzy. So grab at least a light breakfast like a piece of fresh fruit before rushing off to the gym.

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