Are You Following These Untrue Rules?

So you want to start lifting weights and you’ve done all the research you can to get yourself started. However, there is so much about working out that there are several myths about weight lifting. There is so much conflicting information about weightlifting and everyone who has been working out seem to think they’re a trainer. Its easy to understand that you want to get as much information as possible to make sure you can reach your fitness goals, but unfortunately not everything you hear will benefit you. Keep reading on to find out the truth about these common muscle myths.

One thing to understand is that not every workout regimen is for everyone. Bodies work differently in many aspects of gaining muscle and exercising. Muscle building is all about trial and error and figuring out what works best for you to reach your fitness goals. It’s important to find out as much as you can to avoid the downfalls of working out, however, be aware of the myths of weight lifting as they can also cause more damage to your body. Keep reading on to find out what some of these myths are of building muscle.

What Are The Myths About Weight Lifting?

You’ve probably received a large amount of unsolicited advice on what you should do and not do to reach your fitness goals, especially if you’ve spent time in a gym or if you told people you were into weight lifting. Here are some myths about weight lifting that you may have come across.

1. Weight lifting is bad for your joints. Compared to other exercises like running; weight lifting is less stressful on the joint. It involves controlled, non-impact movements. It will actually work to increase the health of your joints by strengthening the muscles and ligaments that hold them together.
2. Weight lifting is dangerous. You’ve probably heard “Machines have the reputation to be safer than free weight”. However, that’s a different story. Weight lifting does not produce more injuries compared to machines and weight lifting injury rates are lower than in any other sport. It can be used for rehabilitation because it can product and fix injuries.
3. Weight lifting causes high blood pressure. When you lift weights your blood pressure increases, and returns back to normal once you’ve finished your set. This is how you improve your cardiovascular fitness. Those who tend to lift weights with the focus on strength training have lower blood pressure than people who don’t exercise.
4. Weight lifting makes you bulky. You’ll begin to look slimmer at the same body-weight if you increase you muscle mass because muscle is denser than fat. It’s important to eat enough and supplement when you’re training.
5. Weight lifting stunts your growth. The only way this can happen is if you damage your growth plate by letting a bar fall on you.You’re most likely going to stunt your growth playing physical sports such as, soccer or rugby where collisions are common.
6. Weight lifting decreases your flexibility. It will make you regain your flexibility and maintain it. Increasing your muscle mass or strength won’t reduce your flexibility at all.
7. Weight lifting makes you slow. Stronger muscles contract faster and generate more power.
8. Weight lifting causes hemorrhoids. Holding your breath and push it against your closed glottis is the right way of breathing during your workout. This will keep your back safe by increasing pressure in your abdomen.
9. Fat turns into muscle if you stop. Muscle can never turn into fat. They are different types of tissues, if you have to stop weight lifting, you also have to eat less than before otherwise you will get that fat back.
10. Weight lifting increase waist size. This myth generates from power lifters in heavier classes, because their waist is big and they’re fat. They’re fat is only because they care about getting stronger.