Common Myths on Weight Training

1. Can you spot-reduce body fat in those unwanted areas by doing exercises for that area?

No! The body draws its fuel from where it decides, usually proportionately over the entire body. Working an area trains the muscles in that region, but doesn't necessarily burn fat in that area. For example, performing abdominal exercises will not burn fat in the abdominal area - it will however, train the abdominal muscles and make them firmer, but unless something is being done (i.e., aerobic activity and controlling dietary fat intake and calories) to burn the fat, you will have firm, strong abdominal muscles under a layer of fat.

2. Do muscles turn into fat if you stop weight training?

No! Muscle tissue and body fat do not have a direct physiological relationship - they are two different tissues. What occurs when you stop exercising is your muscles slowly get smaller and your metabolism slows down. A slower metabolism means that your body requires less energy to function, most often resulting in storage of body fat. So, as you lose one, you gain another.

3. Will weight training "Bulk" me up?

No! Quite often the concept of weight training is exaggerated. Many people believe that if you start to weight train you will develop large muscles like a bodybuilder. However, this is not the case - there are many variables needed for an individual to build large muscles. For instance: more calories, strict diet, long hours of training, specially designed program, genetics, and supplementation. For most of us, these variables do not exist due to busy schedules. Hence, it would be very difficult for us to bulk up. Many women tend to believe that they will get big if they begin weight training. However, due to the above variables, plus the fact that women do not have enough male hormones women will not bulk up.