The 9 most famous exercise myths you must stop believing

Is running on a treadmill better than outdoors? Is it necessary to feel the pain to improve my training? Learn about some of the most widespread myths about exercise

As in all areas of life, a wide variety of false myths or urban legends also circulate in sports, which can harm those who exercise, rather than benefit them.

From injuries that could be avoided with a good exercise plan and instructor to a nutritional imbalance by following an internet diet, the best way to avoid them is to know the truth behind these exercise myths:

Exercise Myth: Yoga can help with all kinds of back pain

Truth: While it may help, it is not the same for all types of pain. If associated with muscle and strengthening the core, stretching and some positions may be helpful. But if it’s a broken disk or another problem, it doesn’t help; It could even injure more and cause more pain. It is best to consult a doctor.

Exercise Myth : Running on a treadmill puts less stress on your knees than running on asphalt or pavement.

Truth: According to experts, the force of body weight on the knee joints is the same when running on the street as on a treadmill. While the real way to reduce knee impact is to mix running with other activities, like riding a bike, or using an elliptical machine.

Exercise Myth : Doing crunches on an abs machine causes belly fat to be removed.

Truth: Although these machines can help strengthen muscles and improve posture, to see muscles marked, you first have to lose body fat from the belly. To achieve this, cardiovascular and strength exercises must be included in the training, which will decrease the general fat content, including that of the abdomen.

Exercise Myth : An aerobic workout increases metabolism for hours after you stop exercising.

Truth: While this is true, the amount of calories burned is not statistically significant, as only 20 additional calories are burned per day. While after strength training, there is a little more metabolic boost.

Exercise Myth : Swimming is an activity that helps you lose a lot of weight.

Truth: False, unless you swim for hours and hours a day. In addition to swimming, it is often very hungry, which, if not controlled, could spoil the diet. While what is real is that it tones the muscles, eliminates excess tension, and increases lung capacity.

Exercise Myth : If you don’t sweat, exercise wasn’t enough.

Truth: Not necessarily, since sweating is a form of body cooling. In any case, sweating a lot means that you have burned calories.

Exercise Myth : After a long absence, when you return to exercise you have to work hard.

Truth: This may turn out to be a mistake. And is that exercising too much, too soon, just because you feel good, can cause injury, overtraining, wear and tear and even discomfort or illness, with great chances of being out of the game, again.

Exercise Myth : Machines are a safer way to exercise, because they do the right thing at all times.

Truth: False, because although it may seem that the body automatically gets into the correct position, and therefore, all movements are done well, this only happens if the machine is well adjusted according to the weight and height that they have; or if you have a coach who adjusts it properly.

Exercise Myth : If there is pain, there is profit.

Truth: It is not only false, but one of the myths that can do the most damage, since many people can try so hard, until they feel pain, that they are severely injured. In fact, according to experts, there should never be a pain while doing physical activity. Otherwise, it will be indicative that you are not doing well, or that an injury is already occurring, so you have to stop, rest, observe the evolution of pain, and if it persists, visit the doctor.

Knowing these myths, when exercising can prevent you from demanding more of your body, both physically and mentally.