Let’s break down some of the misconceptions that appear in the fitness industry. From what sweating really means to whether you really should be aching the day after your PE session – read on for some fun facts about exercise!
1. Fasting could help.
If you work out on an empty stomach you can actually burn more fat.
But if your goal is performance-based, you’re not going to have enough energy to go all-out.
2. Sweat is so important!
Sweating not only keeps you cool, it removes toxins from your body too.
3. Muscle building differs between genders.
Women simply can’t build muscle in the same way as men due to the fact they have lower levels of testosterone.
4. Inactivity can kill.
It’s common knowledge that cigarettes are bad for you, but did you know that inactivity can have the same effect on your body? In terms of premature death, physical in-activity is just second to smoking!
5. Exercise helps you feel good!
Exercise is said to boost self-confidence, improve your skin condition. So it makes you look good and you genuinely feel good too.
6. The oddities in stretching.
Although there are many benefits to stretching before exercise, stretching before running actually burns 5% less calories than runners that didn’t stretch!
7. The definition debate.
One misconception is the only way to get definition in your muscles is from lifting light weights at a higher rate, which isn’t true, muscle definition comes from having low body fat and muscle mass.
8. Heavy weights = less fat.
If you train with light weights only, you’re not going to build muscle. The more muscle that you build, the more fat you’ll be able to burn, as well as calories.
9. Soreness doesn’t indicate success.
A lot of people believe that if you’re not sore the day after a workout you didn’t train hard enough. Well actually, soreness is a chemical response to inflammation from ripping your muscle fibres. If you don’t feel sore, it can mean you worked out just right.
10. Diet means everything.
Want to lose some weight? Be certain that no matter how hard you exercise, you can’t out-train a bad diet.
11. Want to up your calorie burn?
The top forms of exercise for burning calories is running and cycling. However, your exact calorie burn will be related to your weight, the intensity and the duration.
FAQs about Exercise
How much should I exercise?
That really varies on the person, based on age, weight and other factors. Generally, you should get around two and a half hours of aerobic exercise each day to be healthy.
Is it ok to exercise every day?
Yes, providing you know your limits and don’t overdo things!
Should I exercise at night?
Yes, in some cases doctors and experts recommend it, so you can sleep more soundly.
Do you know any fun facts about exercise? Share them in the comments below!
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