|
|
      |
| The Lounge | Champions | The Wire | Schedule | Audio | Arcade | The Top Ten | Historical | Email | Video |
|
|
|
| The Lounge | Champions | The Wire | Schedule | Audio | Arcade | The Top Ten | Historical | Email | Video |
 |
Debunking Common Exercise Myths, Part 1
Myth #1: Heavy weights make you "bulky" Heavy weights typically do not lead to increased muscle mass, moderate weights do. Muscle mass is more of a function of volume (ie. number of sets x number of reps). Muscle mass is best gained using multiple sets (3-5) for moderate repetitions (8-12) at moderate loads (70-80% 1RM). Using heavy loads (85% 1RM and above) for repetitions in the 1-5RM range will lead to strength gains with minimal hypertrophy. Hence, heavy weights do not make you "bulky." Myth #2: High repetitions are for toning I don't know how many times I've heard this. Too many times to be sure. Toning (a term I hate to use) is a result of losing fat and building muscle tissue so that you develop a degree of muscle definition. While there are rep brackets better suited for body compositional changes, there are no rep brackets that "tone." Body compositional changes are a result of the program as a whole, not just the rep bracket being used. As for high repetitions, repetitions of 12+, they are better suited for developing muscular endurance. Myth #3: You can only burn fat by doing cardio You would think that by now most people would have realized that cardio is not the only means by which you can burn fat. However, nearly EVERYONE I speak with in the club where I work only knows fat loss by one method: cardio. Sure, cardio can result in fat loss, but it is most effective the first 6-8 weeks of an exercise program due to the changes in hormonal response that occurs with adaptation. Ever notice how many people perform long duration cardio day in and day out only to leave the gym looking exactly the same? I rest my case. An overlooked method of burning fat is weight training. Many people understand that by adding muscle mass you burn more calories around the clock, which may result in more fat loss. However, what most people fail to realize is that a weight training routine can be manipulated to achieve a specific hormonal response that is conducive to fat loss. In other words, you will get a different hormonal response from doing high repetitions as opposed to doing low repetitions. The key then is to manipulate training variables in such a way that it will promote fat loss. I will elaborate further on this topic in a future article. Chad Anderson, CSCS operates a personal training, fitness programming, and consulting business while also holding a full-time position as a senior personal trainer at a commercial health club. He holds a BS degree in exercise science with a minor in nutrition and is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA. You can visit his website at http://www.afitsolutions.com
MORE RESOURCES:
Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
How to Get Better Exercise Results By Improving Hydration Water and ExerciseYour body excretes water in a number of ways: through urination, defecation, breathing (that's why we always enjoyed breathing condensation on mirrors when we were kids) and perspiration. And when you are exercising, your body can lose a large amount of water. Weight Loss, Bodybuilding, and Exercise Tips - Keeping Your Body-fat Low: Part 2 of 10 My name is Greg Ryan. I am a fitness expert, professional bodybuilder, personal, trainer to movie stars, former employee of Kathy Smith and over 50, 000 hours of paid personal training sessions under my belt. How Exercise and Beta-Glucan Help the Immune System It is thought that moderate exercise, such as speed walking, jogging, and aerobics may enhance your body's natural resistance to infection. This is due to that fact that this kind of physical activity activates the release of immunostimulatory factors, such as growth hormones, cytokines, and prolactin, which in turn activates various populations of immune cells. Exercise and Diet - For Your Waistline Caring for your body is the most important thing you can do in your life. You only get one body, and it needs attention. No Pain, No Gain Isnt True For Arthritis, But Exercise Is Still Important Recent studies have shown that exercise may acually help people with arthritis in a number of ways. It can reduce joint pain and stiffness. The Fundamentals of Pilates There are people who are fond of getting an exercise for maintaining their body figure as well as to condition their body so to look healthier and sexy. Some do the swimming or others stay in the gym to get their ideal body figure. Sets And Reps - The High And Low Weight Workout Big weights! Wicked pump! I always get caught between two minds whenever I hit my workout at the gym. One side of me says to lift heavy to get big and the other says that form should matter more than my weight poundage. Recognize Your Motivation to Exercise The positive effects of exercise have been documented and reported through every media outlet available. You can probably walk up to anyone on the street and ask them the positive benefits of exercise and they can most likely list them. Some Great Ideas on Staying Fit Physical exercise is something that you need to do on a regular basis. If you're looking for examples of great fitness exercises to try out, you'll find them on our site. Core Strength Limits Arm and Leg Power Core training has become such a hot topic in the exercise field recently and rightly so. Ask just about anyone what they understand about the body's core and you're likely to get an answer as it being the abdominal muscles. Stretching and the Warm up - Are You Confused? Lately, I've been receiving a lot of questions referring to the latest studies and research findings, and one question that I receive most queries about concerns the role that stretching plays as part of the warm up.Currently, there seems to be a lot of confusion about how and when stretching should be used as part of the warm up, and some people are under the impression that stretching should be avoided altogether. 7 Reasons To Start Up With an Exercise Program Most of us need to follow an exercise program. This is due to the fact that just a minority of Americans exercise in a significant way. Exercise Intensity "Physical Fitness"Some physical activities (exercise) are not intense enough to help you meet the FDA recommendations for being physically fit. Although you are moving, these activities do not increase your heart rate, so you should not count these towards the 30 or more minutes a day that you should strive for. Your Guide To Exercise Even light exercise is good for you, so don't get discouraged!The most important thing to remember about exercise is that you should pick something you enjoy doing first, and then worry about whether or not it's the best exercise for you later.The biggest mistake that most people make when they start an exercise routine is the choice of exercise. Lance Armstrong's Training Tactics - The Tortoise or the Hare? I have been counseling people on weight loss, exercise efficiency and nutrition for over twenty years. Every time I go to the gym I observe people, their training tactics and their workout habits. How to Start a Walking Program Did you know that walking is the number one participation sport in the world? Walking is one of the best things you can do for overall health and wellness. When you walk you use more muscles than any other sport. Use an Exercise Training Diary to Keep Your Workouts on Track A road map is a very handy tool when you're setting out on a long trip. It helps point you in the direction you want to go and can be a lifesaver when you've strayed off course. After Exercise Headache - More Serious Than You Think? It's surprisingly common - you're exercising, everything's fine, and then POW - a headache strikes! Or, sometimes, a headache hits while you're exercising. Is it just a minor annoyance? Or could it be a signal that something serious is going on? Should you go to the doctor, or just shrug it off?If you already suffer from headaches or migraine, it may just be that your exercise is starting the headache chain-reaction. Weight Training: The Real Weight Loss Exercise So you want to lose weight? Chances are, you'll spend the next few days "pigging out" while in the back of your mind you resolve that .. Exercise Program The exercise program you choose depends entirely on your fitness goals. The exercises you will be doing and the approach you take in performing these exercises will depend on whether you wish to gain muscle and strength, tone and lose weight or just stay in shape and be healthy.
|
Section Site Map - Submit News - Feedback - Comments - Advertise with Us Copyright 2006 Luminati Inc. All rights reserved. 
|
