Fitness Myths Debunked
Want a friend on the inside? Add us on Facebook to always stay in touch.
Jessica Biel and Jennifer Garner's trainer sets the fitness record straight.
When it comes to the rules of fitness, we've heard them all. There are so many misconceptions about the "right" way to exercise that it becomes virtually impossible to know what we should actually believe. We wanted a trust-worthy pro to set the facts straight, so we enlisted the help of celebrity trainer Valerie Waters. Since Waters is responsible for both Jennifer Garner and Jessica Biel's hot bodies, we'd say it's safe to trust her judgment. Read on to see what she has to say.
Myth #1: You shouldn't work out if you're sore.
I think working out when you're sore helps release some of the soreness, but you don't want to do the same thing that made you sore. Take a spinning class one day and then a yoga class the next. Doing some movement will help flush out some of the lactic acid.
Jessica Alba's Trainer On Getting That Bod
Myth #2: Never work out on an empty stomach.
Trainers debate this all the time. The truth is, it really doesn't matter that much. It really depends when you're exercising. You do need some fuel - I believe a little bit of carbs and a little bit of protein is optimal so that you don't burn out during a workout. A good way to get that in is through a balanced shake. But at the end of the day, an empty vs. full stomach has minimal effect on weight loss.
Myth #3: The more time you spend at the gym, the better your results.
It's about quality over quantity! Too many people are wasting their time at the gym and not using their time efficiently. My clients are always amazed at how much we get done in 50 minutes. I'd rather go for 30 minutes and power through, than do hours of lazy exercising.
Myth #4: If you're not sweating, then you're not burning calories.
Sweating doesn't equal burning calories. A lot of people just don't sweat. It's more about how hard you're breathing. If you're not breathing hard during your workout, then you're not working hard.
Myth #5: It's not necessary to stretch before a workout.
There is a theory that stretching makes your muscles too relaxed before a workout, but before a workout I like to stretch my clients. But I follow it with something called movement prep. It's dynamic stretching that engages your nervous system and gets your body ready to work.
Myth #6: Women shouldn't lift weight because it adds too much bulk.
Weight training is absolutely the fastest way to change your shape and every woman should be lifting. Some trainers would say you don't have to worry at all about extra bulk, but I believe that it definitely can add bulk. So, do strength training using moderate weights. Moderate is anything you can lift 12-15 times. There are lots of ways to make it harder besides making the weight go up. If you're prone to gaining muscle, then you could cut down on the volume of exercise you're doing (especially on the legs).
StyleCaster Weight Loss Challenge Part 2
Myth #7: Diet is more important than exercise.
In term of weight loss, diet is more important, but in the long run a combo will make you more likely to keep the weight off. The diet is what's going to reduce the body fat, but the exercise is what's going to change your body shape. You don't want to be a skinny fat person! There's a psychological component too. When my clients are exercising consistently, they tend to be better on their diet. You'll just feel better all around - kind of like a highly tuned race car.
Myth #8: It's important to load up on carbs before a big workout.
This used to be a widely held belief, but it's starting to tilt the other way. Now, it's all about a balanced meal. There's no need to eat a big bowl of pasta - a carb and protein combo is ideal. It's more of a Zone or South Beach type of plan.
For more great fitness tips, visit Valerie's site!
Photo: iStock
MMore From StyleCaster:
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook! And download the StyleCaster Daily Looks Widget!
Get StyleCaster on-the-go with our ALL NEW iPhone App
