Myth #1: You can lose weight off of a certain body part by exercising that target area. The truth is that working on a certain area does not burn fat; when you lose weight you do not get to choose where the weight comes from. For example, doing 1,000 crunches a day will not take the fat from your stomach.
Myth #2: Running on a treadmill puts less stress on your knees than running on asphalt or pavement. The truth is that running is a high impact exercise, and it involves the force of your body weight on your joints. Therefore, it is the same whether you are on a treadmill or asphalt. If you want less stress on your knees than mix running with other cardio exercises such as the bike, elliptical, swimming, etc.
Myth #3: Women who lift weights will bulk up. The truth is women do not have the testosterone levels that are necessary in order to bulk up. Since muscle takes up less room than fat, women usually lose inches when they lift weights.
Myth #4: If you stop exercising, your muscles will turn into fat. The truth is that fat and muscle are two different tissue types, and you cannot convert one to another. In reality when you stop weight lifting your muscles will atrophy (get smaller), and if you continue to eat as you always have but stop exercising, you will see an increase in body fat which is why many people think that muscle turns into fat.
Myth #5: NO PAIN, NO GAIN! The truth is that exercise should not be painful. While delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS) is common when beginning an exercise program or when you increase your intensity and/or workload of your workout, it should not be painful, but rather sore. There is a difference between DOMS and pain. Pain is your body's way of telling you that you are doing something wrong. Listen to your body. If it is PAINFUL then STOP! If there is pain after a workout, rest your body and continue when the pain has stopped. If the pain continues consult a doctor.
