---
title: A list of Fitness Myths that need to DIE
description: A list of Fitness Myths that need to DIE
---

[SlowBurn Personal Training Blog](https://blog.slowburnpersonaltraining.com/blog)

# [A list of Fitness Myths that need to DIE](https://blog.slowburnpersonaltraining.com/blog/a-list-of-fitness-myths-that-need-to-die)

 Written by [SeriousStrengthAdmin](https://blog.slowburnpersonaltraining.com/blog/author/seriousstrengthadmin) | 10/29/06, 11:04 AM

Some of you may already believe these myths having heard them from your trainer, physical therapist or even, shudder to think, your *doctor.*

Some of you are just embarking upon becoming brainwashed by the fitness industry. I hope I caught you in time.

Some of these myths are benign. Some are not.

**All of them are false, meaning, they really are *myths.***

Perhaps you're a trainer, PT or MD yourself and reading these makes you blow a gasket.

Good.

Here's my phone number: 212 579-9320. Give me a buzz on your break or shoot me an email [FHahn@seriousstrength.com](mailto:FHahn@seriousstrength.com). I'll substantiate each and every one of these for you. My pleasure.

Here we go. There is no particular order. As they pop, I type:

- You need aerobic exercise everyday
- If you lift weights you still need aerobics
- Aerobics burn significant calories
- You need to stretch
- You need to warm up
- Aerobics makes your heart healthier
- Aerobics makes your lungs stronger
- Large muscles are tight and inflexible
- Heavy weights build bulky muscles
- Light weights build toned muscles
- Pilates will give you the long muscles of a dancer
- Cellulite is different from fat and needs different attention
- Abdominal exercises help back pain
- Functional training
- Balance training improves balance
- Everyone's different and needs different programs
- Vary your routine often
- Multiple sets build more muscle than single sets
- Exercise at least 3 days a week for *minimal* gains
- Leg extensions are bad for the knees
- It's bad to arch your back
- Free weights are better than machines
- Machines are better than free weights
- Isokinetics are superior to isotonics
- Training fast makes you fast
- Training slow makes you slow
- Positive skill transfers from one sport to another
- Weight lifting is bad for blood pressure
- Aerobic capacity is an indicator of your overall health
- Fitness testing accuratley measure fitness
- Walking is the best exercise for fat loss
- Walking is the best exercise for seniors
- Walking is exercise
- Swimming is orthopedically safe
- Non impact exercise means low force
- Lifting belts protect the back
- Abdominals need high repetitions (for many, ab classes are a sure fire road to back pain).
- Calves need high repetitions
- Muscles can have 'imbalances'
- Women need different routines from men (I've never once seen a *female* muscle fiber).
- Children shouldn't strength train
- Lack of physical activity is the cause of adolescent obesity
- Physical activity is needed to combat adolescent obesity
- Great bodies are built and not born
- Body sculpting
- Toned means cut
- You don't need strength training if you're very active

***Next up:*** Nutritional myths. Get ready...

[View full post](https://blog.slowburnpersonaltraining.com/blog/a-list-of-fitness-myths-that-need-to-die)

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