8 Fitness Myths You Should Stop Believing If You Want To Make Real Progress

Fitness is a complex topic. Some people have different views of it and may even claim to be experts. For instance, a gym coach may believe that pain is gain, while a physician would say that it’s a dangerous lie.

When not backed by scientific evidence, fitness practices can be dangerous. Unfortunately, some fitness enthusiasts like those in the pro cheer community believe myths that could bring more harm than progress.

Now is the time to end these misconceptions. Discover what these myths are and their scientific debunks so you can properly achieve your fitness goals as a current or aspiring professional cheerleader.

1. Running on a treadmill puts less stress on your joints than running on pavement

John Ford, certified exercise physiologist, and owner of JKF Fitness & Health says, “Additionally, while a treadmill might feel like less impact on your knees, the automated nature of the revolving belt has been shown to add additional stress on the Achilles tendon and other lower leg muscles, ligaments, and tendons.”

2. Lifting weights will bulk you up

Strength training doesn’t always turn you into a She-Hulk. However, it can make you stronger and help you achieve a leaner physique. The difference is the diet and supplements. If you focus on strength training alone while taking high-carbohydrate and high-sugar supplements, that’s how you’ll end up looking like a bodybuilder.

3. Crunches are the best way to lose core fat

It’s true that crunches are core-specific workouts. But there are other exercises that yield the same belly fat-burning benefits. Examples are planking, bridge holds, and standing abdominal exercises. As a bonus, pay attention to your nutrition, food quality, and calorie intake.

4. You can target one area of your body to lose fat

Every spot-reducing workout you do will involve muscles that are far from the areas you’re targeting. For example, leg presses won’t just train your upper body, it will also cause your core and shoulder muscles to contract as you exert effort. So don’t be surprised that you’re losing fat from different parts of your body despite doing area-specific workout moves.

5. Daily workouts yield faster results

Fitness progress happens when your muscle tissues are repairing. If you workout even when you’re sore, you’re only increasing the risks of injury and overtraining. Always schedule day-offs or muscle recovery activities during the midweek or weekends.

6. Exercise turns fat into muscle

Fat and muscle aren’t the same types of body tissue. Muscles are synthesized from protein and fats are created from excess calories. Fat can be used as energy when following a low-carb diet but it will not be converted to muscle or help in muscle building.

The same happens the other way around. Protein for muscle building can be used for energy but muscles cannot be turned into fat.

7. Sweat is an indicator of a good workout session

Sweat is our body’s way of cooling down. It’s not an indication of how many calories we spent during a workout. What really matters here is the intensity of your exercises such as the number of reps, sets, and routines completed and how difficult those routines are. In fact, can successfully achieve your daily fitness goals by ending your exercise session with minimal sweat.

8. Eating fat makes you fat

There are four types of fats: Saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and trans fats. The first three fats are healthy as fatty acids like omega-3 are found in them. Trans fats are found in fried foods, commercial pastries, processed products, or any type of junk food.

The latter is a contributing factor to weight gain and heart diseases. It is important to always study the nutritional value of every packed product you buy or recipe you’re about to cook.

Research is the key to reap all the benefits of your fitness program. Before you follow the advice of other “experts”, always read the scientific explanation behind every concept. If what they say is scientifically true, then do as they say. Otherwise, find another source who’s a lot more credible.

There is no shortcut or a single formula to achieve your fitness goals. Diet, training, discipline, and motivation all play a huge role. Learn more about them by reading the blog posts below!

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Pro cheerleaders stay fit, flexible, and strong so they can give out their best performance in the arena. However, achieving that wow-worthy, toned physique doesn’t happen overnight. You need to arm yourself with the right daily workouts.

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