Here at The Healthy Living and Fitness, we know how difficult it can be to change habits that have become a part of an individual’s lifestyle. After all, statistics suggest that around 38% of adults want to lose weight. With this said, many people approach a diet the wrong way and presume that exercise is the miracle fix that they have been looking for. Read on as we go over three misconceptions that people tend to have about exercise…
Is cardio better than lifting weights?
The majority of cardio machines like treadmills and cross trainers provide gym-goers with a way to physically track the number of calories they are burning during each work-out. The problem with this approach is that it can lead people into a false sense of security regarding their eating habits because they believe that they can ‘burn off the calories’ later. In fact, many cardio fanatics also shun weight training because it doesn’t provide such a feature, however lifting weights actually creates an ‘after burn’ effect which means that more calories are burned long after the individual has finished their workout.
Why is static stretching before a work-out ineffective?
It is incredibly common to carry out a pre-workout stretch and there are thought to be many benefits obtained from such a routine. With this said, static stretches like holding the ankle to the buttocks or crossings one’s arm across their chest can be counter-productive because they do not warm the muscles up and prepare them for a work-out. As a result, it is advised to perform dynamic stretches like jumping jacks, high kicks and mountain climbers instead.
How long should it take to lose weight?
One of the most problematic misconceptions about exercise is that it will provide instant weight-loss results when the act of losing fat is heavily reliant on a person’s diet rather than their workout schedule. In fact, it is recommended to aim for a loss of just 1-2lb a week depending on the starting weight of the individual because losing weight too quickly is not only unhealthy, it is also unrealistic.
When it comes to weight loss, it is important that people approach their routine with an open but realistic mindset. After all, it is impossible to out-train a bad diet. With this said, the correct footwear and equipment is a necessity in order to prevent injuries and help people get the most out of their workout. To find our more information, check out Laced’s range of online trainers today!