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Weight training Myths Explained |  |
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WEIGHT TRAINING MYTHS EXPLAINED Author: Anne Hatfield Many people when they embark on a weight loss programme seem to neglect doing weight training. Cardiovascular or Aerobic activity seem to be the main things that are focused on, particularly by women. Here are some of the Myths that we come across on a regular basis. We hope that this will help you to gain the best results possible so that you can achieve maximum fat loss. 1. I don't want to get big and bulky This typically comes from female clients and is most probably due to the fact that when they walk into the gym, they can be confronted with men who may have been training for quite some time whilst eating excess calories and have achieved some muscle growth. The assumption is that weight training equals big muscles. Totally untrue. Physiologically speaking it is impossible for women to get huge. The main component for growing muscle is testosterone. Women only possess 1/40 the concentration of testosterone compared to men. I personally, can lift as much, if not more than a lot of guys in the gym. My physique is no where near big nor bulky and I am an average size 8! So ladies....lift away! You will not get big and bulky! : ) Oh, and guys....don't get too excited...just because you have more testosterone...doesn't mean you can walk into the gym and pack on muscle in an instant either! You just have it a little easier than us girls!! Hard work and dedication is required to achieve a buff physique for anyone!! 2. I want to lose weight and weight training is not as effective for fat loss Aerobics classes and cardio sessions have been put up there as the ultimate in weight loss. Whilst being fit should be included as part of your weight loss journey, it should not be seen as the holy grail for fat loss. Weight training is very effective for fat loss. Why? Because you increase your lean muscle mass. (But I hear all the women getting confused about my previous point and again saying...'I don't want to get big and bulky muscles'. You will still build some muscle, just not to the degree of men.) Here's the thing....The more lean muscle mass that your body has...the more calories that your body requires to maintain that lean muscle over body fat. So sitting down watching T.V. you are still burning body fat....dropping the kids off at school you are burning body fat. How cool is that? Aerobic activity, however, whilst great for fitness, only burns body fat whilst you are in your fat burning zone.....Do you know what your fat burning zone is? Don't worry....most people don't. So get into the gym and lift some weights....you will increase lean muscle and burn that unwanted fat so much faster than simply by doing cardio. 3. If I do sit ups every day, I will have a six pack and my love handles will disappear Most men want a six pack and most women want a flat stomach. You can do all the sit ups in the world, but if you have a layer of body fat over the top of it, then no-one will ever see it. When Bruce competed in the Australasian Natural Bodybuilding Championships in October, he did not one sit up. Yes....you read right! NOT A SINGLE SIT UP! If you check out his photos on the website, you will see he has a six pack. Why? This is because he was lean. It would be great if you could spot reduce, then everyone would have the best physique by focusing only on what they want to decrease/increase but sadly that is not the case. So, how do you get that stomach you have always wanted? Eat well and regular weight training. Don't get me wrong...you can still do sit ups to increase your core strength...but if you want to get a flat stomach...decrease your body fat. In conclusion, weight training is not only important for weight/fat loss. It is also beneficial for improving bone density and decreasing the risk of osteoporosis. You will see your body change shape and your strength will definitely improve. So get out and use those weights, eat well and see your body improve! |
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