3 “truths” about fitness that are downright lies (Number 2 will provoke you to no end)

There are many commonly accepted “truths” in fitness, and to be fair some of them are definitely true. For instance, it is true that if you are looking to become a body-builder, then your body is most definitely made more in the kitchen than at the gym.

On the other hand however, there are also many commonly accepted truths about fitness which are not true. Let’s look at a few of the most glaring ones shall we?

1. “No Pain, No Gain”

No.

Just no.

I don’t care that it rhymes — that still doesn’t make it true.

For some reason we find things that rhyme more persuasive. Be that as it may, no pain, no gain is about as false as they come. You can get plenty of gains without pain.

In fact we might want to rewrite this little saying to “you can plenty of gains, without the pains”.

You don’t need to work out until it hurts. In fact, you should probably stop before it starts hurting — unless you’re looking to become a professional, then you’re probably going to have to push yourself beyond what is comfortable — but if you’re just looking to stay in shape, then you should not be looking to inflict unnecessary pains on yourself to get the gains.

2. “If I workout I’ll get too big”

Look, there is no way you’re going to get big, unless you work out with very heavy weights and eat shit loads of protein. If you’re just a regular guy or gal looking to be in better shape, then you’re in no danger of getting “too big”.

That’s the first point. The second point is that big can be beautiful. Look at Brooke Ence who epitomizes this better than most any other athlete.

She is a big strong, young, beautiful crossfit athlete, and trust me — if you look like this, then you are in incredible shape.

The point is, that chances you probably don’t have to worry about getting too big — and even if you worry — don’t. Because big and strong is beautiful. Way more beautiful than being a couch potato — that’s for sure.

3. Only a certain type of people go to the gym

Every workout is different. And more importantly every type of workout is different. Maybe you like lifting heavy things. Or maybe you like rowing for a long period of time. Or maybe you like both. Or neither. That’s fine. Whatever types of workouts you like or don’t like, there is going to be a type of workout that suits you.

Trust me, no matter if you’re big and strong or small and tiny there are different things that are going to be better suited to your physique than others. So no matter if you want to become the worlds strongest man or Fittest Woman On Earth or just looking to get off the couch, you are going to be able to find something that suits you.

Whoever you are, you are going to be able to find a workout that you find fun and that you feel enthusiastic about. All you gotta do is look for it. Maybe it’s team sports — maybe it’s the individual competition against yourself that turns you on (it is for me) or maybe it is lifting weights that are as heavy as possible.

Whatever it is, you are going to find something that you love doing and which will get you in shape without feeling like work.

The point is this:

Fitness doesn’t have to suck. In fact, it shouldn’t suck at all. It should be a fun activity that you do because you enjoy it.

It is fun alone, and it is even more fun with friends. Go find a buddy to do something active with. Play ball, lift weights, go for a run — just go out there and play.

Have fun.

Talk to you on the other side.