Common Misconceptions about Strength Training

Often, when exercising, many will focus heavily on cardio-based workouts and overlook strength training altogether. Whether you normally just run around your local park or you tend to only use the exercise bike at the gym, there is no denying that cardio-based workouts are really good for you, but there are ways that you can make your workouts even more effective, and often, the way to do this, is to add in some strength training exercises too.

It is fair to say that the weight room or section in a gym can have a bad reputation and many will avoid it at all costs, but when doing so, you will actually only be hindering your ability to meet your individual goals. There are a number of myths and misconceptions surrounding strength training that can be really off-putting, so to set the record straight and help people get the most out of their workouts, below we have separated the facts from the fiction in relation to strength training.

Lifting Weights Makes you Bulk up

This is probably the biggest misconception about strength training and lots of people assume that when they lift weights they will get huge bulky muscles, but it simply isn’t the case. It is actually incredibly difficult to build ‘bulky’ muscles and for the vast majority of people, especially women, lifting weights will help them to create a lean physique, not a bulky one. You really should never let the fear of bulking up prevent you from using weights during your workouts.

You don’t Burn Calories During Strength Training

It is a common misconception that in order to burn lots of calories, your heart needs to be pounding and you need to be dripping in sweat, but again, this isn’t actually true. Whilst cardio can help you to burn lots of calories, lifting weights can too and many are surprised by their calorie burn after a strength training session. People don’t realise that strength training can help to boost your metabolism and increase your daily calorie burn, even on rest days, too.

It is Difficult to get a Full-Body Workout when Using Weights

This couldn’t be further from the truth and it is much easier than many people assume to get a ‘full-body workout’ when solely focusing on strength training. There are a huge number of different exercises that you can complete when using weights and you can easily ensure that you’re targeting all of the different muscle groups in your body. Simply taking the time to expand your knowledge of weighted exercises will help you to ensure you’re working your whole body.

Strength Training Makes you Less Flexible

Lots of people are put off lifting weights because they think that it will decrease their flexibility, but again, this isn’t true. You really don’t need to worry about strength training preventing you from being able to touch your toes, it won’t dictate your flexibility and when using your full range of motion whilst weightlifting, you may even be able to improve your flexibility. Of course, you should always stretch after strength training the same way you would any other type of exercise.

Body-Weight Exercises are just as Effective as Weight Training

It is frequently recommended that you start with body-weight exercises when wanting to improve your strength, but really, body-weight exercises and weight training are incomparable. Simply put, whilst using your body weight as resistance can be beneficial, when doing so, you are restricting yourself. When you use weights during your training, you can continually build on the amount you’re able to lift and, in turn, become much stronger in general.

Finding a gym in High Wycombe

Ultimately, it is highly likely that whatever was putting you off using weights and adding strength training to your cardio-heavy workout routine, is simply a misconception and this type of exercise really isn’t as scary as it seems. Strength training can be incredibly beneficial, whether you’re looking to build muscle or not, and it should be something that everyone is including in their workout regime.

Should you be interested in incorporating more strength training into your workout routine, why not visit our gym in High Wycombe? When you work out here at Wild Training, our gym provides you with the freedom, space and equipment to do the exercises you want to and you will never be restricted by your surroundings when you choose our gym. If you’re interested, at our gym in High Wycombe, we also offer a number of exciting exercise classes and one-to-one training sessions with personal trainers too.