5 Women’s Fitness Myths That Drive Personal Trainers Crazy
As a fitness expert who has trained thousands of women, I can’t tell you how crazy it makes me when I see inaccurate fitness information flying around. I’m debunking some of the most popular (and least true!) women’s fitness myths out there.
Get the real information, so you can start taking care of yourself the RIGHT way. These are the top women’s fitness myths I’m begging you to ignore!
#1: Spot Reduction Works
Spot reduction is the idea that you can choose one area of your body to lose fat. And, I’m here to tell you spot reduction does not work.
When you lose weight and lose fat, it uniformly comes off all over your body. You can’t magically pick one area.
However, as you are losing fat, you can gain muscle and you can spot sculpt. So if you want a bigger bicep, then pick up a heavier weight and do bicep curls! If you want toned shoulders, do shoulder exercises.
In fact, these are the best muscle groups to workout together.
#2: Cardio is Best for Fat Loss
Don’t get me wrong, I love cardio. Cardio is great for heart health and mental health, but the secret to losing fat and maintaining your metabolism is actually strength training.
As we get older, we lose muscle. We lose about a half a pound to a pound of muscle a year starting around the age of 35, if we are not actively replacing it. My favorite strength training moves for women over 50 will help you stay strong and active!
#3: The More Exercise, the Better
Overtraining can lead to injury, feeling more tired, and other health issues. Listen to your body and make sure rest and recover are a part of your fitness journey. I recommend including mobility training and a daily yoga practice to treat your body with care while you train.
Listen to your body, and don’t feel pressured to over-do it!
#4: You Must Gain Weight During Menopause
The good news is, weight gain during menopause is NOT inevitable. Yes your hormones are changing, but the way you move your body, and the diet you consume does make a difference.
And this is part of the reason strength training is so important for middle-aged women. Muscle burns more calories at a resting heart rate than fat, so the more muscle you have, the more you burn! And, the easier it is to keep the weight off.
I also recommend focusing on the best foods for menopause symptoms!
#5: Strength Training Will Make You Look Bulky
I meet many women who are afraid to get started with strength training because they’re worried they will bulk up. The opposite is actually true. Focusing on regular strength training will help create strong, lean muscles.
Knowledge is power! It’s important to understand how your body works so you can live your best life.
It’s never too late to start making impactful lifestyle changes for your future!