Last updated on August 16, 2015

By Heather Montgomery, Get Fit
Last updated on August 16, 2015

Busted! Top 5 Fitness Myths

Do you know how to get fit? There is a lot of information – and misinformation – about fitness. Working out doesn’t have to be confusing. Get your workout program started by busting these top five fitness myths.

Top 5 Fitness Myths

Myth #1: You can reduce the stress from running on your knees by running on a treadmill instead of pavement

Treadmill running promotes imbalances and damages your ability to run on pavement. The treadmill belt pulls your feet back as you run, and you may subconsciously change your stride which can put extra stress on your knees.

Myth #2: Sweat it out! If you aren’t sweating, you aren’t working hard enough.

Your body regulates temperature by sweating. If you aren’t sweating during your workout, you might have fewer sweat glands than others. The best way to see if your workout is having the impact you want is to check your heart rate.

Myth #3: No pain no gain

You do not need to be in pain in order to get a good quality workout. Pain won’t tell you if you are getting sucessful results. There shouldn’t be any pain during your workout. Pain would be a sign you are doing something wrong or pushing too hard. Uncomfortable is good, saying “ouch!” is not.

Myth #4: Lifting weights makes you bulk up

My recent post, Top 10 Reasons To Strength Train, busts this myth out of the water. Women avoid lifting weight with the fear of looking to bulky. When it comes to muscle size, the key is testosterone. Unless you are enhancing with supplements to help boost your testosterone level, your weight lifting results as women will offer smooth and defined results.

Myth #5: Ab workouts and plenty of crunches will reduce belly fat

You may have six pack abs with all the core workouts you do, but the only way to see them is to reduce body fat. The only way to see definition in any muscles is to lower your overall body through changes in diet and increase in cardio. Don’t stop working that core! Just because you can’t see them, doesn’t mean that core strength isn’t helping you everyday.

What myths do you have about working out?

Do you have ideas about fitness that are keeping you from getting started? Name a few in the comments, and lets discuss.

Go get your fit on – Heather