5 Popular Fitness Concepts that are Plain Wrong
The field of fitness is plagued with myths and ideas that are not longer valid. There is a need for understanding where we are now and store some of these concepts in the fitness attic so our grandchildren can one day laugh at them. Let’s begin:
1.Kettlebells are better than dumbells: or it could be the other way around. Kettlebells, dumbells, barbells, bands, medicine balls, indian clubs, etc; are tools and nothing more. They all offer external resistance in a different format, one is not better than the other, they are simply different options. To debate which tool is tool is better makes us look like tools ourselves.
2.Pilates creates long lean muscles, weightlifting builds a bulky physique: resistance is resistance, whether you are using your bodyweight, a pulley or a dumbell. Bulky physiques are created due to concentrating a majority of the time on the hypertrophy zone and eating a lot of calories. Pilates is an efficient form of resistance training that takes mobility and flexibility into consideration. But guess what? Proper athletic development also takes all those factors into consideration in the weight room. Weightlifting is not all about bodybuilding and powerlifting, it is also the most efficient way to develop a lean, athletic physique.
3.Machines are safer than free weights: machines provide artificial support and a fixed path of movement, this gives the illusion of safety versus free weight and other functional equipment. The problem with artificial support and a fixed path of movement is that we are developing larger movers muscles without targeting smaller stabilizers. Fixed path machines such as the leg press, chest press of leg extension are lazy ways and incomplete ways to develop our bodies. Instead of seating on padded chair with our backs rested to push something that will move on a predetermined path we should learn bodyweight exercises first and add external resistance latter. The process might be longer and requires more effort but the results will be substantially greater.
4.Lose weight without any cardio: this is a very gimmicky line used to confuse people. What it is really training to say is that you can transform any form of exercise such as lifting weights into an intense cardio workout if you pick up the pace and decrease rest periods. Cardio does not describe an activity, it describes a physiological response. If your heart rate is elevated and you have a hard time breathing due to exercise then congratulations!:you are training your heart and lungs.
5.Let’s warm up on the treadmill: while jogging a few minutes before working out won’t hurt you, it does not prepare you for everything. It is best to think of warm ups as movement preparations. What are you going to do in your training session? If you are going to bench press then some push ups are a good idea to increase scapular stabilization and core activation. I am a fan of starting sessions with foam rolling and dynamic flexibility but doing the same move with little or no resistance can be sufficient. A good warm up should increase heart rate and prepare the muscles for the activity they are about to engage on.
If you disagree with me or have other concepts that you feel are plain wrong please send me your comments. Also if you would like to join us on Facebook please click on the link below:
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Have a great week and stay fit!
Luis
