3 Misconceptions about Going to the Gym

Why should you work out when it takes so much effort? Going to the gym and working up a sweat lowers blood pressure, tones muscle, improves your cardiovascular health and makes you feel great. Some people have unrealistic expectations based on bad information. Here are a few of the most common misconceptions.

It Has to Hurt

People think if it didn’t totally suck by the end of the workout, it doesn’t count. Or they might think exercise is only effective if the next day all their muscles are sore. You don’t have to make yourself miserable for exercise to be effective.

While it’s always good to push yourself toward personal goals, there’s a difference between challenging and punishing. If you feel pain during your workout, you need to check your form, reduce the weight or try something different.

Muscle soreness is normal when you start a new physical activity. Physicians recommend starting gradually and listening to your body as you gradually increase the duration and intensity. If every time you work out it’s hard to get out of bed the next day, you’re not likely to stick with it.

Fit Means Skinny

You have that friend who has never worked out a day in her life and somehow she always looks great. You also see that guy at the gym every time you go. He works longer and lifts more than you think you’ll ever be able to, and you wonder why he’s still overweight.

The World Health Organization identified physical inactivity as the fourth highest risk factor for deaths globally. Here are some of the conditions they say it causes.

• 21 – 25 percent of breast and colon cancer are caused by physical inactivity.
• 27 percent of diabetes results from being inactive.
• 30 percent of heart disease comes from sedentary lifestyles.

While maintaining a healthy body weight reduces your risk of several diseases, just because you’re thin doesn’t mean you’re healthy.

Exercise Alone Will Cause Weight Loss

Every January thousands of people in Tyler and East Texas sign up for a gym membership eager to drop the pounds they packed on over the holidays. Three weeks later they’ve given up because they don’t see the results they expected.

You lose weight when your body burns more calories than you take in. If you eat what you burn, you won’t see results. You burn calories when you exercise and strength training increases your metabolism, but if you don’t eat right, you won’t drop pounds.

In other words, you probably won’t work out at moderate intensity three times a week and see pounds magically melt away. If you want to lose weight, combine exercise with a low-calorie diet.

At Fitness in Training, we want to see you reach your goals. That’s why we offer nutritional counseling and even stock healthy meals to get you through the week. Set up an appointment for a fitness evaluation and nutrition counseling next time you’re in, and we’ll help create a plan tailored to get you in the best shape of your life.