MYTHBUSTERS

THREE EXPERTS UNPICK COMMON HEALTH AND FITNESS MYTHS

MYTH: You will suffer from muscle cramps if you’re dehydrated

Reiss adams

Sports therapist, Bespoke Wellness

bespoke-wellness.com

Dehydration can be a huge factor in muscle cramping, especially during endurance sports. If cells are lacking fluid, muscle function is limited and fatigue will hit faster. But this is not the sole reason for cramps. They can also be caused due to a deficiency in other minerals such as calcium, which, if low, disrupts the electronic signals that travel through the muscle. Cramps tell you there’s an issue and the muscle cannot sustain what it is doing without replenishment or rest. To keep cramping at a minimum, listen to your body, keep hydrated and eat a balanced diet.

MYTH: Doing cardio too often means you will burn muscle and not fat

george Sahyouni

Gym instructor, Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi

viceroyhotelsandresorts.com

Cardio is a key part of any training programme. It’s a great fat burner, but it’s true it can also reduce your muscle mass. During exercise you first burn carbs, then fat, and then you will start burning protein, which can cause muscle loss. It’s not cardio that causes muscle loss directly, but by not following the correct diet plan and failing to get adequate rest you may lose muscle. It’s important to up your protein (there are plenty of shakes and natural sources you can use) to prevent any negative effects. If in doubt, get advice from a professional trainer.

MYTH: No matter how much weight you lose, you can’t change your basic body shape/type

karen bostock

Fitness director and personal trainer

beyonduae.com

It is true that just by losing weight you will remain the same shape, only a smaller version of you. That being said, with the right form of training, persistence and consistency it is possible to change your body shape. Resistance training alongside a healthy diet will create shape-changing results more effectively than diet and cardio alone. The bottom line is that you cannot control your genetics, but you can control your lifestyle. Shape change is an ongoing lifestyle, not a quick fix. Respect your body for its uniqueness and work to enhance it as part of your everyday life.