Common Exercise Myths – Do You Believe Any of these
There are so many common exercise myths around. Will Harlow assesses some of them.
I agree with just about everything he says. I do, however, think he is being rather binary when he compares cardiovascular and resistance based exercises. One needs both. If you only stick to resistance exercises, you will gain muscle mass but will lose out on the benefits of raising your heart rate. Most older folk doing resistance training don’t do it with such intensity that they start panting. So one needs to incorporate cardio to really exercise your heart and lungs.
You may have come across the school of thought that espouses the idea of doing some of your cardio activity at a rate that lifts your heart rate only marginly. The philosophy here is that doing the exercise at a heart rate not much above resting rate one builds aerobic, as opposed to anaerobic, capacity. This means that when one does exercise at anaerobic levels one can extend ones anaerobic capacity. Thus, there is a case for slow running or walking over extended distances to be included in ones fitness development programme.
There is a further consideration for those who cycle or swim for the cardio component of their exercise regimen. By running or walking, one places an impact stress on one’s leg bones. This encourages bone re-growth and is particularly important in fending off osteoporosis. If one restricts cardio exercise to swimming and cycling, you will lose out on this benefit. Thus, for swimmers and cyclists, you do need to go for awalk now and again.
What do you think of Will’s discussion with respect to these common exercise myths? And my points above?
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Find more golden nuggets of information from Will Harlow here. And our piece on sarcopenia here.
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I definitely think that resistance training has IMMENSE value for everyone. And one doesn’t need a gym subscription – most of the exercises can be done at home