When you are thinking about improving your health and considering a new exercise program, it is sometimes difficult to separate facts from fiction. There are a lot of myths surrounding exercise and physical fitness, and falling for them could prevent you from reaching your fitness goals. Listed below are a few common exercise myths to watch out for.

Common Exercise Myths: Fiction versus Fact

exercise myths
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  1. Strength training makes you too bulky. Strength training should be a central part of any exercise program. Using heavy weight and doing fewer reps is what leads to the development of huge muscles. To avoid this, use lighter weights and do more reps. This helps build strength and endurance without adding bulk.
  2. Low-intensity cardio burns the most fat. Before you body can start burning fat, it needs to burn off all the available Higher intensity workouts are best for burning off those carbs and, in turn, calories.
  3. Stretching isn’t important. Stretching is essential. It helps keep you safe during your workouts by preventing injuries and re-injuries. Start each exercise session with a combination of dynamic and static stretches to improve range of motion in your joints and muscles.
  4. Workouts have to be long. Think you need to spend hours at the gym to get in shape? Think again! The CDC recommends that adults participate in just 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise each week. That breaks down to 22 minutes a day. If you have trouble working out for 22 minutes straight, breaking it down into two 11-minute sessions per day is just as effective.
  5. Crunches are the best way to strengthen your abs and get rid of belly fat. This one one of the most common myths out there. Unfortunately, crunches could actually do more harm than good. Doing them excessively contributes to poor posture and can strain the lower back resulting in back pain.

Falling for the common exercise myths listed above could decrease the effectiveness of your workouts and lead to injuries. If you are trying to develop a healthy workout routine to improve your overall wellness, take the time to learn about the best types of exercise for your particular situation. At Denver Physical Medicine, we’re always here to help you manage your pain and find ways to stay active. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation, please contact us today. You can reach us at 303-757-7280.