Physical activity is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. It is therefore not surprising that many misconceptions circulate about it. Whether it’s people who believe they need to exercise for hours every day, or people who believe that certain activities aren’t considered exercise at all, these misconceptions can lead to confusion when it comes to establishing a fitness routine or determining what types of activity to focus on. To clear up any confusion about physical activity, here we present 8 common misconceptions and the facts behind them!
Misconception #1: You need to exercise for at least an hour.
Fact: No matter how much time you have, any physical activity is better than none. Even a short 10-minute walk can help you improve your fitness and feel better throughout the day. Research has shown that even small amounts of physical activity spread throughout the day can have beneficial effects on overall health and well-being. Additionally, just 20 to 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity, such as walking or cycling, can reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and certain types of cancer.
Misconception #2: Sweating is an indicator of workout intensity.
Reality: Sweating isn’t necessarily an indication of workout intensity, as it can be affected by things like the temperature and humidity of your environment. Sweating is also an indication of your body’s ability to cool itself, rather than the intensity of your workout.
Misconception #3: 10,000 steps a day are needed to stay fit.
Fact: Staying fit and healthy is important for physical and mental well-being. People often believe that walking 10,000 steps a day is necessary to achieve fitness goals, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Research has shown that everyone has different fitness needs because each person’s body requires a different intensity and duration of exercise. While walking 10,000 steps a day can help some people lead a healthier lifestyle, it’s not for everyone.
In fact, there are many other activities that can promote healthier habits, such as low-impact activities like cycling or swimming, or high-impact activities like sprinting or weight training. Ultimately, the best way to maintain a healthy lifestyle is to focus on eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly according to your body’s needs.
Misconception #4: Exercise has to be intense to be beneficial.
Fact: Exercise doesn’t have to be strenuous to be beneficial. Moderate-intensity activities are just as important for physical health as vigorous activities! Moderate-intensity activities include activities such as brisk walking, yoga or tai chi classes, household chores such as vacuuming, cleaning, gardening, etc., water aerobics classes. All of these activities put enough strain on the body to be beneficial to health, but are not so intense that you risk overworking your body or exhausting yourself beyond what you are able to do on a daily basis!
Misconception #5: You need to exercise every day to reap health benefits.
Fact: Research suggests that 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise 3 times a week is enough for most people who want to get maximum results from their workouts while maintaining a healthy lifestyle outside of their routine. workout! Additionally, adding a low-impact cardio activity, such as swimming, to the weekly routine can also provide health benefits without requiring too much aerobic exertion with each workout!
Misconception #6: Exercising hurts your joints.
Fact: Regular exercise strengthens joint cartilage – a very important part of our joint health – and increases the lubrication around our joints, making them more mobile than before we started exercising. exercise regularly! This can result in less pain during daily activities, such as climbing stairs or getting out of bed in the morning. However, if discomfort occurs during exercise, it is always best to stop immediately before causing a serious injury that could lead to long-term disability issues. Therefore, if you don’t feel well while exercising, it’s probably wise to slow down slightly until you get used to the new move, workout routine, exercise, etc.
Misconception #7: Walking is not “real” exercise.
Fact: Walking is a great way to increase cardiovascular endurance through aerobic exercise. Plus, it doesn’t require any special equipment other than a comfortable pair of shoes (or trainers), making it an ideal form of exercise for anyone, regardless of fitness level or its ability to access local facilities! Additionally, research shows that people who regularly walk experience other benefits such as reduced stress levels due to the increased production of endorphins associated with aerobic activity – which allows the mind to get away from the worries and stress that affect everyone at some point in their lives!
Misconception #8: By lifting weights, women gain bulky muscles like men when they lift weights too often or use heavy weights.
Reality: Women cannot gain mass by lifting weights like men because they lack the testosterone necessary for muscle hypertrophy (growth) at significant levels without taking supplements that drastically alter their testosterone levels. hormone. Women who regularly lift weights still improve their physique because weight training increases metabolism, which leads to fat loss, even if muscle growth does not lead to big size gains. Women can safely use heavier weights if proper form is maintained, allowing them to access the same benefits as men of lifting heavier weights, including increased strength, athleticism, endurance, balance, coordination, speed and power.
