WEIGHT TRAINING MYTHS

There is No Good Reason

Not to Weight Train

Good Afternoon Readers,

When I talk to people about weight training I hear many reasons for not doing it and almost all are myths they have heard from people who do not weight train about the "dangers" or "undesired outcomes" of weight training. Well I am here to tell you they are not accurate. I have listed 12 of the most common myths here and a rebuttal for each.

Myth #1: Using Free Weight is Dangerous. Machines have the reputation to be safer than free weights. But studies tell a different story.  Weight lifting does not produce more injuries compared to machines. Weight lifting injury rates are lower than in any other sport.

Myth #2: Weight Lifting is bad For Your Joints. Weight lifting is less stressful on your joints than running: it involves controlled, non-impact movements...Weight lifting and especially strength training will increase the health of your joints by strengthening the muscles & ligaments that keep them together.

Myth #3: Weight Lifting Causes High Blood Pressure. Your blood pressure increases when you lift heavy weights. But it returns to normal after finishing your set. This is how lifting may improve your cardiovascular fitness.

Myth #4: Weight Lifting Makes You Bulky. Muscle is denser than fat. You'll look slimmer at the same body-weight if you increase your muscle mass. The huge guys in muscle magazines are usually supplementing. Many thin people train 6x’s per week but struggle to gain weight. Why?  They may not be eating enough and/or getting enough rest. Your body grows at rest.

Myth #5: Weight Lifting Makes Women Bulky. Those muscular women you can find in muscle magazines had to use steroids to get to that point. A woman you my build muscle, get stronger and improve your physique. But you'll never build as much muscle mass as men can because you have lower testosterone levels. You'll always stay feminine unless you use steroids.

Myth #6: Weight Lifting Stunts Growth. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lou Ferrigno, Dave Draper, Shaquille O’Neal, David Robinson, Karl Malone, and Michael Vick, etc. all started lifting weights in their early teens and are +6′ /1m82 tall. Supervise youth lifting weights. Enforce proper technique and discourage ego. Note that some believe weight lifting can actually stimulate growth because it increases bone mineralization.

Myth #7: Weight Lifting Decreases Flexibility. One of the realizations people who begin weight training learn is how inflexible they are. Years of sedentary lifestyle may have tightened your hips, preventing you from moving correctly. Weight training may help you regain your flexibility and maintain it. But increasing your muscle mass or strength won't reduce your flexibility at all.

Myth #8: Weight Lifting Makes You Slow. Strong muscles contract faster and generate more power. That's why professional athletes like Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neil or Tiger Woods do weight lifting. Strength training makes you faster and quicker.

Myth #9: Weight Lifting Causes Hemorrhoids. Straining, holding your breath and pushing against your anal sphincter may cause hemorrhoids but not weight training in and of it.

Myth #10: Muscle Turns to Fat If You Stop Weight Lifting. Muscle never turns to fat. They're different tissues. If you stop weight lifting, you also have to eat less than before otherwise you'll get fat.

Myth #11: Weight Lifting Increases Waist Size. This myth comes from looking at some Power Lifters in the heaviest classes. Their waist is big because they're fat. And they're fat is because they only care about getting stronger.

Myth #12: Weight Lifting is Boring. It is if you go the gym without a plan, don't pay attention to what you do when lifting and don't get results. But it won't if you have a plan, get results and focus on how your body moves during a lift.

Weight lifting is a technical and intellectual sport. You shouldn't have time to get bored since you have many things to pay attention to during the workout. And the constant challenge to add weight is anything but boring.

Remember it is okay to just say I do not want to do that but stop spreading the myths. Get up get moving and remember, "CHIT CHAT WON'T BURN FAT". Have a great day and a great workout.