Trying to discern what is fact and what is fiction when it comes to exercise can be
overwhelming. Infomercials, magazine articles, advertisements...they can lead
you to believe something is factual when research has proven it to be false.
Here are a few misconceptions vs the facts we get from exercise science:

 MYTH: Women need different strength training exercises so their muscles don’t bulk
up.
 
FACT: The same exercises that strengthen and tone muscles are used to increase muscle size. The bodybuilder next to you at the gym might be doing the same bicep curl exercise,
but the bodybuilder will use a really heavy weight. Most women will not bulk up, because they lack enough testosterone, even when they lift a heavier weight. Heavier weight 
builds muscular strength (which elicits size increases, mostly in men), and lower weight performed with more repetitions builds muscular endurance. So essentially, the exercises are the same. Women in most cases will just lift lighter weights. Lastly, exercising
using a heavier weight can help bulk up our bones, and this is a good thing! 

MYTH: The right exercise will get rid of my belly, or remove the floppy fat on the back of our arms.

FACT: The right exercise will spot strengthen/shape a body area, but it will not
spot-reduce overlying fat. Unless you combine enough additional aerobic
exercise and eat to lose weight, specifically fat weight, then your newly toned
abs and arms will not show definition. This is especially important for women to understand, since there really is no such thing as spot reducing. What you will generally see as a result of weight loss and toning, is a leaner look  in our leaner areas first, not the place we want it off the most! We all have areas of body fat that are higher than others. For some it’s in the hips/tush/thighs and others it is abs or back fat. Unfortunately since you have more fat to lose there, it takes longer to see the results. And typically these “pocket areas of fat” are partially genetically determined (sorry!).


MYTH: Different exercises shorten or elongate muscles.

FACT:  Our muscle length is genetically determined. All exercises contract muscles which briefly shorten them. What might tighten or shorten over time and with age are actually your tendons and connective tissues & joints. So, classes such as Yoga, ilates and even heavy weight lifting can keep your tendons more elastic, relax your muscles (which mentally  feel good) and help keep your joints and muscles from stiffening. They will not however “lengthen/elongate” your muscles. Muscle length is genetically determined
and you are born with that!

These are just a few of the many "Fitness Myths" out there. If you are confused on a topic and want the facts, ask me and I'll do my best to give you the real FitnessTruth!