In the last two years that I’ve dedicated hours upon hours to working up a hell of a sweat, I’ve heard and seen some things that, in my experience, I know not to be true. I was running at the gym last week and was struck with the idea for this article, while thinking about it I realized there are so many more misconceptions about working out than I thought.
It’s easy. It’s hard. Of course, if you’ve never worked out before or have taken a long period of off time due to injury or lack of motivation –– it’s going to be hard and you’re going to hate it. But I promise if you put yourself on a routine and remember why you’re doing it, you’ll be just fine. I’ve tried a plethora of workout methods and I can tell you that it is never easy. Whether you’ve been working out for years or weeks, you’re still huffing and puffing, cursing, wincing over sore muscles, and pushing your body to its very limits.
Music makes a better workout. I trained for a half marathon over the summer and I never used music to run with. Not a single time. Not even during the actual race! Last weekend I worked out for an hour with no music because my headphones died. That workout was no different than the one the day before with music blasting in my ears. For some, the upbeat tracks on a workout playlist will provide all the motivation they need. For others, hearing the shortness of their breath and actively working on that breath will push them harder than ever to finish that set, lap, or minute of exercise.
Running makes you skinny. As stated above, I trained for a half marathon in the summer and was stick thin. I trained again in the fall for another half in the winter and gained about 10+ pounds. Your workout is only effective if you’re also treating the inside of your body right with good foods. Running 10 miles doesn’t necessarily mean you can eat three pieces of cake later with a giant glass of soda. Running 10 miles means you need a small glass of chocolate milk, some eggs, and toast post run, and you need to continue replenishing your body throughout the day with smaller, better for you snacks and meals.
Yoga isn’t a work out. I used to workout hard and then do yoga before I really started busting my ass on my mat. Sometimes when I practice there is sweat all over my hands and feet and I’m slipping trying to flow. At the end of many sessions I’ve felt my muscles shaking for up to an hour afterward. Did I mention any form of inversion or balancing practice will give you a killer core burn? And if practiced consistently ––great abs.
If you didn’t sweat, you didn’t work hard enough. This one is self-explanatory. Not everyone sweats! And some people wear deodorant that keeps them from sweating. Zero drops, a few drops, or a no-longer-light grey shirt don’t define the intensity of your workout.
If you’re not sore the next day, your workout wasn’t effective. Excuse me but sometimes I work so hard that it takes a few days for my body to feel what happened at the gym 48 hours ago. Even then, sometimes I don’t get sore at all which is probably due to the fact that I replenished my body in good time with enough protein, carbs, and bananas to suppress the ongoing release of lactic acid in my muscles.
Gym equipment is the best equipment for a good workout. Ever heard of calisthenics? The people who use their body weight to workout are frickin’ ripped! You don’t need to know how to use those crazy complicated contraptions to break a sweat, there are plenty of exercises you can easily perform without weights attached to a bar or resistance machines.
Rest days aren’t that important. If I’ve learned anything in the two years I’ve been consistently working out, it’s that rest days are your saving grace. Take one for Pete’s sake! Or two, or a week if you need it. You won’t gain three pounds from not being in the gym for an hour in a single day. In fact, odds are, your next workouts will be more effective since you’ve given your body the rest it needs and deserves.
You should cover up if you don’t have the body. Okay here’s the thing: sometimes you sweat so much your shirt sticks to your skin and you just can’t take it anymore. Sometimes it gets caught on a machine or restricts your movement. So don’t be afraid to shed a layer if need be. Not everyone has chiseled abs that glisten from drops of sweat reflecting the light. My abs have been a work in progress for two years and no, they aren’t perfect, yes there’s a slight layer of fluff they’re still hiding behind, no I do not always wear a shirt over my sports bra to the gym or outside to run. I love my body and could care less what you think. Deal with it.
It’s fine if I don’t stretch. Woah, hold your horses. This is so false it’s not even funny. Your muscles are strained and tired after you push hard in a workout. Give them what they deserve even if it’s just five minutes, you’ll prevent injury, shaky muscles, and soreness.
I can’t do it. I’ve told myself this a million times. I’ve heard others say it to me and themselves plenty as well. There is nothing more untrue than that statement. You can do it; you will do it. Your body will only go where your mind will let it, so don’t limit yourself. Envision yourself doing it, and eventually your body will recognize your mind’s wishes and get you to the goal.
This journey is your journey. Everyone you see at the gym, rec, park, track, pool or studio has the same goal in their mind as you do: better my body, better my health, better my mind, better my life. Keep working friends, you’ll get where you want to be in no time.
