One of the biggest problems for the average fitness enthusiast that wants to get in shape is that they don’t know what is the right answer when it comes to some of the basic common exercise fundamentals. The reason for this is because there is so much misinformation on the internet by the so many self-proclaimed fitness experts and even doctors. Some of them may look the part physically but may not have science muster to back their claims.

So if someone is trying to get in better shape how do you sift through what are correct vs incorrect? There are so many myths in the fitness industry that people will swear up and down are 100% correct. And frankly it’s not their fault because when you are reading something from an expert that has some educational credentials and is saying something that sounds right then why would you question that.

Anybody that wants to get in better shape just wants to know what they can and can’t do so they can achieve their fitness goals the healthy way. So let’s dissect and talk about some of the biggest exercise and fitness myths and debunk them. The purpose of this is to change any old thinking you may have about anything fitness and exercise related and inject the right information in your head like a huge lightbulb to help change old mythical thoughts.

True or False – Do you need to train 7 days a week to get the best shape of your life?

False. Your body builds lean muscle when it’s resting not when you are training. You are tearing down your muscles when you are training but they need time to recuperate and repair. And the only way that happens is when you are resting. Your body needs to rest after training 3 to 5 days a week from a rest and recovery standpoint. Training 7 days a week is a recipe for disaster when it comes to achieving your fitness goals.

True or False- To achieve washboard abs all you have to do is abs exercises every day and nothing else?

False. There is not an abs machine or an abs exercise that will help you get washboard abs by itself. There is a saying that abs are made in the kitchen and not in the gym. Washboard abs are indicative of one thing low body-fat. If your body-fat is high you won’t see your abs, if your body-fat is low then you will see your abs. On an average for a male to have washboard abs his body-fat has to be at most 12% or lower and for a woman to see her abs her body-fat has to be at most 14% and lower. Eating a clean healthy balanced diet is one of the biggest components in helping you reduce body-fat to help those abs to come out of the hibernation fat.

Another thing that helps with achieving washboard abs is incorporating a total body conditioning program that involves a cardio/strength training program that will allow you to burn calories every day which would also speed up your metabolism.

True or False – Will lifting weights make women look bulky and for that women should never lift weights?

False. Unfortunately even in 2016 there are still women for some strange reason that think if they weight-train they will look like the incredible hulk Lou Ferrigno. Women don’t produce enough testosterone to look bulky through weight-training. For a woman to look bulky if she weight-trains she would have to take PED’s or some form of steroids and also consume an enormous amount of calories.

Lifting weights for women is one of the best ways to shape and tone the overall body as well as speed up the metabolism. All the benefits from weight-training are all positive and there is not one negative thing that any expert can say that will hurt any female when trying to get in better shape. Bottom line women you will not look like a man if you pick up a weight. If you are serious about wanting to get in better shape weight-training is very important.