Bodybuilding Myths and Mistakes
When aiming for the perfect bodybuilt, one can easily succumb to some myths and mistakes that falsely lead you to your goals. These are beliefs that make it seem beneficial when done. These myths can be acquired through family and friends, in the training environment, or, in various media platforms. Mistakes can be made either in training itself, in the nutrition side if bodybuilding, or in the lifestyle aspect.
Training Myths and Mistakes
Oftentimes, beginners commit these types of mistakes. Raring to get the body right away, these are very attractive myths.
To Get That Bodybuilder Physique, Train Like A Pro.
It is so easy to get lost and dream away with this particular myth. Because, why not? Is it not that when we follow a certain recipe, we will get the taste it intends? But, NO. This is one very common mistake in bodybuilding. While it is very easy to just go ahead and copy a professional bodybuilders regimen, this should not be the case. Each of us has a body structure unique from one another. Since this is the case, our training should be specific to the physique that each of us has. If we try and do the same as what a professional does, almost always certain, we will end up hurting ourselves. This is because we don’t have the same bodily capabilities and functions as the one that we aim for. We should bear this in mind to avoid this mistake.
Train Until You Fail.
This is one classic example of pushing ourselves to the limit. Give it your all until there is nothing left. Quite impressive I must say. Perseverance at its finest. However, in bodybuilding, pushing oneself to its limit is just a myth. One that should be debunked. When we are already incapable of doing one more rep, then it is time to stop. Listen to your body. Straining our body will not benefit you. It will indeed, strain you. It will leave you incapable of performing in another training that is supposed to build another bicep or another pack. Remember that our body functions primarily to optimize our capabilities to perform at our best. When one body part is overworked, another body part will compensate. If this continues to happen, everything will fail to perform its specific function. Take note, there is no such thing as overtraining. Progression is the key.
When You Stop Training, Your Muscle Turns Into Fats.
Just a myth, not true. Muscles shrink, becomes a little soft, but, it does not turn into fats. Some previous bodybuilders who stopped training, turned fat, not because they stopped training. Becoming fat has been related to a combination of the lifestyle and diet after bodybuilding. Understandably, lack of physical activities and the increase in caloric intake are the culprits to this false belief.
Doing Sit – Ups Everyday Burns Belly Fats.
Such a convenient mistake to fall into. Fats in our body is not contained in just one area. Exercise such as weight training, helps increase metabolism which helps in burning calories and fats. Not saying though that sit ups is bad, it is just not the only way to burn belly fats. Proper trainings partnered with proper nutrition will get you good results.
Weight Training Stunts Body Growth.
No proof to this belief. Growth will always be dependent to a couple of factors : genetic makeup, nutrition preferences, and lifestyle choices.
You Must Work Out Every Day to See Results
Many believe that working out daily is necessary to achieve significant results. However, rest days are crucial for muscle recovery and growth. Overtraining can lead to injuries and burnout. A well-structured program includes rest days to allow muscles to repair and strengthen.
Cardio is the Only Way to Lose Fat
While cardio can help burn calories, it is not the only way to lose fat. Strength training is equally important as it builds muscle, which increases your resting metabolic rate, leading to more calories burned at rest. A balanced approach combining both cardio and strength training is most effective for fat loss.
Nutrition Myths
Not only are bodybuilders prone to the training myths and mistakes, they can also get attracted to false nutrition beliefs.
No To Carbohydrates and Fats Meals.
Such a funny myth this is. This is a nutrition mistake that every bodybuilder should be aware of. We all know that to achieve a healthy body physique, adequate consumption of nutrients should be taken. Balance is the key. One simply cannot gain that lean body mass without fat gain. In fact, bodybuilders must incorporate macronutrients protein, carbohydrates, and fats into their meals to keep that body mass lean.
Out With The Egg Yolks.
This may be due to the fact that egg whites contain the most protein in eggs. Protein is the sole target. But while it is truly beneficial to bodybuilders, it is still important to consider the benefit that egg yolk gives. All of the vitamins and minerals are contained in the egg yolks. This folks, is still necessary for our balanced meal intake.
Don’t Mind My Diet, I Work Out.
What a foolish mistake this is. It’s like you have worked your way so hard to achieve the dream you’ve always wanted. When you finally got it, you dropped it, like a bomb. Now seriously, to keep that bodybuilder body we’ve trained hard and thrown a lot of discipline into achieving it. Discipline in the nutrition aspect, also, is relevant. Proper nutrition will propel your workouts better, not your careless consumption of food. Sort out your diet s much as you plan your workout.
Protein Shakes are Essential for Muscle Gain
While protein shakes can be convenient, they are not essential for muscle gain. Whole foods provide the necessary nutrients for muscle growth and overall health. Protein shakes can supplement a diet but should not replace real food.
You Need Supplements to Build Muscle
Supplements can aid in muscle building, but they are not necessary. A well-balanced diet rich in proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates can provide all the nutrients needed for muscle growth. Supplements should only fill gaps in nutrition, not replace whole foods.
Lifestyle Myths and Mistakes
Your lifestyle can also change when there is too much focus on achieving that desired body.This will depend though on how much knowledge you have of what you are getting into.
Sleep Is Not Necessary In Muscle Building.
No, no, no. Don’t indulge yourself into this kind of mistake. This will definitely spell disaster. As much as you give yourself the time to train to get that bodybuild you are aiming for, you should also get that much sleep. Sleep is the most beautiful way for our body to recover from all the hard work. After a rigorous day at the gym, muscle repair must take place. The best time that this process is done is during the sleep cycle. We owe it to ourselves to take care of our body. After all, our body takes care of us the best way it can.
You Need to Eat a Meal Immediately After Training
While it is beneficial to refuel after a workout, the notion that you must eat immediately is exaggerated. Consuming a balanced meal within a couple of hours post-workout is sufficient for most people to aid recovery and muscle growth.
More Sweat Means a Better Workout
Sweating is not an indicator of workout effectiveness. It is simply the body’s way of regulating temperature. The effectiveness of a workout is determined by factors like intensity, duration, and how well it targets specific fitness goals.
Conclusion
In our aim to achieve the best results, there will always be some myths and mistakes that we can stumble into. With all of the good intentions that it poses us to believe, it matters that we take a great deal of caution. These myths and mistakes can either help or break us. Don’t let it be the latter. Believe in information which has a basis. Believe that we deserve to get the optimal value if bodybuilding, and not the false hopes that myths give us.
References
Vince del Monte. mivi320. Umer Imran. (2019). What Are The Biggest Bodybuilding Myths? https://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/topicoftheweek83.htm
Men’s Health. (2015). The 10 Most Common Muscle Building Mistakes. https://www.menshealth.com/uk/building-muscle/a746807/10-muscle-building-mistakes-438524/