Some myths are easy to forget; some would stay for a while and then fade away; and yet some myths just won’t die. Check out these health and fitness myths that people still strongly believe and the corresponding opinions from top experts in each one of these myths.

Myth #1: How much water to drink. We have heard that drinking eight glasses of water a day is healthy for you. But according to top experts, this will depend on your lifestyle. If you have an active lifestyle, whether if it’s the nature of your work or you always go to the gym for exercise, you may need more than eight glasses of water. On the other hand, if you oftentimes eat fruits and vegetables that are rich in water and drink beverages, they will keep you hydrated and the standard eight glasses may not apply to you. Moreover, according to experts you are probably drinking enough fluid if you seldom feel thirsty and your urine is colorless to light yellow.

Myth #2: More sweat equals better workout. We have heard that the more we sweat during workout, the more we burn calories. But according to top experts, this is just a false impression, and that we burn more calories as we work out harder, performing exercises that increases heart-beat and pace of breathing.

Myth #3: Lift light weights to tone up (for women only). You have heard that to avoid “bulky” muscles, you need to stay away from the heavy weights and use light weights and carry out several reps. But according to top experts, a woman don’t have the muscle mass capable of producing “bulky” muscles. And there are advantages of incorporating heavy weights in a woman’s workout because it will help develop good balance and lifting technique. But you have to do this gradually (from light to heavy weights).

Myth #4: The truth about abs exercises. We have heard that abdominal exercises (or crunches) are the best exercises that burn belly fat. But according to top experts, crunches will only put in tone and strengthen the abdominal muscles and not actually burn fat. Experts added that to burn belly fat you must first reduce total body fat, and then apply full-body workouts and healthy diet.

Myth #5: Sweat eliminates toxins. We have heard that sweats detox our body. But according to top experts only one percent of the total toxins leaves the body through sweating. The main organs that actually expel waste in the body are liver, kidney, lungs, and immune system. Moreover, experts believe that the major function of sweating is to normalize body temperature.

Myth #6: The formula for flat abs. We have heard that to have a flat belly, we need to work it out daily. But according to top experts, abdominal muscles are just like any other muscles in the body that also need rest. So, making your abs rest at least 1 day will allow repairing and rebuilding its muscles. Moreover, if you want to have real results in your abs, you need to get better eating habits.

Myth #7: Cycling builds up your thighs. We have heard that high resistance cycling makes thighs bigger. But according to top experts, cycling is a cardiovascular (or cardio) exercise and not an exercise that builds strength. An exercise that builds strength is one that pushes your muscles to the point of fatigue. However, if you want to build strength in cycling, you have to put enough resistance that after 6-8 revolutions, your legs are totally exhausted.

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