There’s a lot of free advice about physical activity out there these days – some reliable, some not. It’s easy to fall into the trap: A friend gives you an activity tip, and then you pass it on to several buddies you know. To be sure you’re working out effectively it is important to ask a qualified fitness professional for advice. In the meantime, knowing the difference between fact and fiction will keep you healthy, injury-free, and on track to meeting your physical activity goals. Here are some myths that need clarification:

Myth #1: Workouts boost your calorie burn for hours after you are finished.

False: Don’t confuse calorie burn with metabolism. While your metabolism will continue to rev at a slightly higher rate after you finish a workout, the amount of calorie burn is not statistically significant. While there is a bit of a metabolic boost after strength training, it’s negligible as well. In other words, don’t use the fact that you worked out as an excuse to eat more.

Myth #2: If you’re not working up a sweat, you’re not exercising hard enough.

False: Sweating or perspiring is not necessarily an indicator of exertion. Perspiring is your body’s way of cooling itself. It’s possible to burn a significant number of calories without breaking a sweat.

Myth #3: Strength training will make you “bulk up.”

False: Gaining muscle mass is something you have to work very hard at to achieve, male or female. Some women tend to avoid weight training because they don’t want to look bulked up. However, strength training is a critical element in maintaining a healthy weight and strengthening your body. What we know is that the average woman doesn’t typically gain bulk from strength training because she doesn’t have the number or type of hormones necessary to build massive amounts of muscle.

Myth #4: Machines are a safer way to weight train because you’re doing it right every time.

False: Although it may seem as if an exercise machine automatically puts your body in the right position and helps you do all the movements correctly, that’s only true if the machine is properly adjusted for your body size. Before using any equipment or performing any exercise, you should ensure you understand the full mechanics of the movement . Determining the proper setting on a machine is important, as you can make mistakes in form and function and have just as high a risk of injury on a machine as if you can working out with free weights.

Myth #5: When it comes to physical activity, you’ve got to feel some pain if you’re going to gain any benefits.

False: While you should expect to have some degree of stiffness or soreness a day or two after physical activity, that’s very different from feeling pain while you are working out. A fitness activity should not hurt while you are doing it. If it does, then either you are doing it incorrectly, or you already have an injury. As for “working through the pain,” experts advise against it. If it hurts, stop, rest, and see if the pain goes away. If it doesn’t go away, or if it begins again or increases after you start an activity, see a health care professional.

Myth #6: If I can’t be active often enough, I might as well not even do it.

False: Any activity is better than no activity, even if it’s only a 15-minute walk. Being physically active is important for heart health and has been proven to reduce stress. So, even if you can’t make it to the gym or the class you can always do something active each day. Taking a walk or climbing the stairs all count!
Myth #7: You can remove weight from specific body parts by doing exercises that target those areas.

False: This concept is called “spot training” and, unfortunately, it doesn’t target fatty areas. When you lose weight, your body predetermines which fat stores it will use. For example, doing sit-ups will strengthen your abs but will not take the fat off your stomach. Similarly, an activity such as running burns fat all over your body, not just your legs. You can, however, complement a balanced physical activity program with a selection of weight training exercises to gradually lose weight and tone your body.

Myth #8: You will burn more body fat if you exercise longer at a lower intensity.

False: The most important factor in physical activity and weight control is not the percentage of fat calories burned, but the total calories burned during the activity. The faster you walk, bike or swim, for example, the more calories you use per minute. You may still be burning more calories (and likely will be) from fat but the relative percentage of the source will be altered. So, high intensity exercises will likely burn more calories total, as well as attribute energy from fat metabolism.

Myth #9: I can eat what I want because my workout will keep the weight off.

False: If you tend to eat large-portion meals such as 12 oz steaks, two to three cups of pasta, three to four slices of pizza, or high-calorie foods such as chocolate shakes and fries on a regular basis, no manner of workout will burn enough of those calories to keep your weight in check. A healthy way to achieve and maintain a healthy weight is to combine healthy eating with regular physical activity – they go hand in hand.

Myth #10: The best time to be active is early in the morning.

False: There is no one optimal time to be active. The best time is the time that appeals to you and fits into your schedule on a regular basis. Some folks love to jump-start their day with a morning workout, while