MYTHBUSTERS

THREE EXPERTS UNPICK COMMON HEALTH AND FITNESS MYTHS

High intensity interval training is the most effective exercise if you are short on time

Jethro G Cunada

Personal trainer, Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan By Rotana

rotana.com Recent research shows that High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) burns more calories than traditional workouts because of the Excess Post Exercise Oxygen Consumption (EPOC) effect. EPOC helps burn more calories for longer after a workout has ended. HIIT workouts feature 30 seconds to three minutes of intense exercise, followed by recovery intervals of the same period or longer. So a 20-minute workout can result in a significant increase in fitness and reduced fat. However, before doing any type of HIIT exercise, it’s recommended you get a fitness evaluation to avoid any health risks or potential injuries.

Foam rollers are an essential piece of kit if you want to avoid injuries from sport

Nicole Brooks

Owner and personal trainer, Stayfit LLC

stayfitme.com Foam rollers are a fantastic tool to improve your circulation and increase blood flow, but does that mean they are integral to injury prevention? I don’t think so. It’s claimed foam rollers act in the same way sports massage therapists do. However, there are potential downsides. Foam rolling promotes passive stretching, which can prevent muscles from contracting and leaves them in a weakened state temporarily. So rolling can cause surrounding muscles to be unable to support affected joints. While rolling increases the range of movement in muscles, it will not prevent injuries.

You don’t need a rest day if you work out different parts of your body throughout the week

tarryn hoffman

Country director UAE, Multiworks

multiworks.net In a world where “more is better”, it is easy to fall into a common trap - too much training. However, no matter what your goals are (fat loss, muscle gain, or all-round health and fitness), by overtraining you might actually be doing your body more harm than good. Overtraining is more likely to lead you to a plateau, which can cause frustration and anxiety about achieving your goals. It is not the one hour spent in the gym that is the most important, it’s the 23 other hours in the day. Spend at least one day completely away from the gym for both mental and physical improvements.