Before heading off to the gym in an effort to increase your muscle gain, there are a few things that you need to know before embarking on your fitness journey.
You might find information being thrown at you from all directions. Some sources are not so credible while others have all the credentials they need to lead you on your way.
To help you tell the difference between fact and believable fiction, here are the top five myths we want you avoiding while trying to get into shape.
You Need As Much Protein As You Can Handle
Bulking up on protein is necessary to an extent. However, you do need to be aware of keeping it balanced. Depending on your age, metabolism, gender, and your workout regime, it is possible to consume too much protein. If you are taking in more than you are exerting, the protein can lead your body to build up fat. Although you might think you’re bulking up in weight and increasing your muscle gain, it might actually be the wrong type of weight that you end up gaining.
All You Need Is Crunching
Performing hundreds or thousands of crunches while implementing them into your workout regime won’t necessarily give you the six-pack you are looking for. Even though the men in your workout video might lead you to believe that with that particular workout you can start looking like them, remember that the rippling effect of their six-pack wasn’t created with just doing a workout video once or twice a week.
Depending on your body type, eating habits, and strength training, the effectiveness of crunching can also be dependent upon your form. The crunch is one of the most commonly incorrectly done exercises. If you are looking to bulk and increase your muscle gain, get started with our How to Bulk Workout Plan.
Your Muscle Will Turn Into Fat
We’ve seen this myth both ways. You might have been told that your fat will turn into muscle when you begin working out and your muscle will fade back into fat if left alone. This is simply untrue.
These two components of your body are exactly that — two different components. They are connected through body mechanisms and the way they respond with one another, such as the fact that muscle helps burn fat. Ultimately though, they are two completely unique entities and one cannot morph into the other.
If You’re Not Sore, You’re Sorry
The day after a workout you might experience some soreness or discomfort. However being sore isn’t the best indicator of an effective workout. You can still work out effectively even if you aren’t completely feeling bad the next day.
Rather than being a sign of a “good” workout, soreness is actually just a build-up of lactic acid. This lactic acid can be dispersed through foam rolling and proper post-workout care.
Get As Much Sleep As You Can
After starting a new workout regime you might feel as if you are more tired than usual. This is probably true since you’re not used to exerting yourself as much as you are now. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you need more sleep than usual. Getting an adequate night’s sleep is important when trying to be healthier and fitter, but everyone is different. Some people need more than the recommended 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night while others function more effectively on less. What constitutes a ‘proper’ night’s sleep can mean something different for everyone.
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