Monday, July 16, 2012

A Few Exercise Myths

Two views of local Extension leaders drilling ...
Two views of local Extension leaders drilling in physical exercise in middies and bloomers, ... (Photo credit: Cornell University Library)

Switching things up today, I’m going to tell you the moral of this post before I tell you the explanation behind it…Moral: Everyone’s body is different, everyone’s body responds to things differently, and what may or may not work for one person, might not work for another.

Now, based on this fact, I just found a great article about two more recent exercise myths that have been circulating.

First, the myth that Research has shown that pre-workout stretching decreases performance and doesn’t protect against injury. I tend to agree with the author of the article on this one, that while physiologically it probably does not do a great deal to protect your muscles from injury, it is the mental aspect that gets transformed and thereby helps. Stretching is a time before exercise to prepare your mind and body for the activity that is to come; that kind of reflection is much harder to do while running around.

Second, the myth that …exercise may not improve strength or cardiovascular fitness in some people. Again I’m going to have to agree with the author that there is absolutely no way if people are training consistently that their cardiovascular health will not increase. With the exception of some major heart condition, it’s just not possible.

Bottom line, find what works for you and stick to it. If it’s running, then run, if it’s circuit training, then do that. By the way, if it Is circuit training, go to a gym where they know a thing or two already about circut training.
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