At this point in your journey to a fitter, healthier body, you probably have a pretty good understanding of nutrition -- or you are at least learning about it. You know that your body needs the right balance of carbs, proteins, and other nutrients before and after a workout. You know that you can find that balance in our healthy protein bars, or you can find it in a selection of other foods. You know that your body needs a healthy diet, in general, as well as an exercise routine. When it comes to exercise, that is where your knowledge may be clouded. There are certain exercise myths sworn to be true, and Promax is here to debunk the myths and keep you on the right track.
- You can spot-train certain areas of your body, such as your abs. Well, you can target any area you want, but if you are looking for a six-pack, it doesn't really matter how many crunches you do. If your abs are hidden behind body fat, until you get rid of the body fat, you will never see your abs. Instead of focusing on specific target areas, concentrate on a more full-body workout that is going to reduce body fat -- then you will start to see the results you want.
- You must stretch, or you could be injured. Studies have shown that stretching is not a necessary pre-workout routine. It can help a little, but it may not necessarily increase your range of motion. In some cases, stretching too much can make you a bit unstable, which could lead to an injury. Also, research has shown that intense stretching before strength workouts actually decreases a muscle's ability to generate force. Try a quick warm-up exercise routine to get your heart pumping and your muscles warmed up.
- You burn more calories during cardio with weights. While this is true, it's not so true that you need to make it a necessary part of your exercise routine. In other words, holding weights during your cardio workout is going to burn a few more calories, but not enough to make a huge difference. What it will do is put you at a higher risk for a possible injury. The human body isn't designed to have heavy hands or feet! Find other ways of burning extra calories, such as hopping on the treadmill at a faster speed.
- Exercising about 45 minutes every day will keep you healthy, no matter what. Sure, you need daily exercise. However, exercise isn't going to keep you healthy by itself. If you exercise for an hour each day, but spend the rest of the day eating junk food and watching TV, your body is going to show the effects. Focus on a lifestyle change, instead of just adding exercise to your daily life. Exercise and healthy eating go hand-in-hand.
- "No pain, no gain" is the way to go. The truth is that it is fine for your workout to push you to the edge of your comfort zone -- and even out of it. But if you are feeling intense pain during your workout, if you are on the verge of losing consciousness, or are otherwise completely uncomfortable, then you are pushing yourself too far. Your workout should test your limits, but never to the point of severe pain. Know your limits, and slowly expand your comfort zone over time.
Contact us today at Promax to learn more about exercise myths, nutrition, and how our healthy bars can be a great addition to your daily workout routine.