by Logan Andrear

Created on: March 20, 2007   Last Updated: April 18, 2007

With an overwhelming deluge of fitness infomercials and exercise gurus' it's no wonder fitness myths and misconceptions have spread like urban legends. Fad diets and poor fitness education allow these myths to perpetuate. Below is a list of five popular myths and the truth behind them

1. Exercise will help turn fat into muscle.

The Truth: Fat and muscle are two different body tissues. It is impossible to turn fat into muscle (or vice versa). Muscle can be built through exercise and proper nutrition. Similarly, fat can be lost through exercise and proper nutrition. But one is not turned into the other. It is entirely possible to increase muscle and fat at the same time.

2. Calories are a bad thing for your body.

The Truth: A calorie is merely a measurement (the amount of energy required to raise 1 liter of water by 1 degree Celsius to be exact). When you consume food your body uses the food for energy. The amount of potential energy a specific food provides is measured in calories. If a person eats more calories than they expend in energy the body will store that energy as fat.

3. Sit-ups and crunches will flatten your stomach.

The Truth: Sit-ups and crunches will strengthen your abs. They may even give you a sexy six-pack. But that won't matter if your fat belly covers it up. Flattening your stomach requires a healthy diet and regular exercise.

4. You cannot slim down with strength training alone. Cardiovascular exercise is necessary.

The Truth: While cardiovascular exercise will certainly help slim you down (and may even work better than strength training depending on intensity) it is not necessary. Strength training is also an effective way to slim down. Strength training will build lean muscle. Lean muscle burns calories efficiently. By increasing your muscle mass your body will burn more calories. If you do not increase your caloric intake you will begin to slim down.

5. Lifting heavy weights reduces flexibility.

The Truth: Not stretching reduces your flexibility. Big muscles and flexibility are not mutually exclusive. Regardless of your muscle mass, stretching regularly will increase your flexibility.

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