Myths. They’re everywhere, even in the world of weightlifting. And the saddest part is that, up until now, many still believed them. You've probably heard one from a gym-goer who heard it from another gym-goer. Or probably you've been confronted by someone you knew who said some unbelievable facts about weightlifting.
Well, myths are completely nonsense and should be ignored at all costs. Add these four weightlifting myths on your “ignore” list.
It's a Guy Thing
Absolutely not. It's not just a man's game; it's actually for everyone. Back in the 2015 CrossFit Games Open, over 87,000 women participated. Even celebrities like Blake Lively, Selena Gomez, and Demi Lovato love incorporating weightlifting exercises into their fitness routines.
Weightlifting has plenty of benefits; it increases bone density and muscle mass, and it even releases stress. Of course, whether you’re a girl or a boy, you’d want to enjoy these benefits.
It Makes You Bulky
This one is the most common weightlifting myth for women; it’s also one of the reasons why a few women still do not want to do weightlifting training (despite the many benefits). They are afraid that they'll get too bulky, with broad shoulders and too much muscle.
However, it has long been confirmed that lifting is simply not enough to bulk up your muscles. For you to actually bulk up, there are just plenty of things that you need to do, including changing your diet, training each muscle group, watching your calorie intake, etc. In other words, it takes a lot of effort before you eventually gain muscle mass.
It Needs to Be Done At the Gym
One of the things that we like about weightlifting is that it can be done anywhere. Yes, you read that right. Weight workouts are not just an exclusive gym thing. There are plenty of home-based weight-reduction routines that you can do at your own pace. All you need is a kettlebell, a dumbbell, a barbell, a curl bar, or your preferred weights.
There are plenty of weightlifting routines that you can follow on the Internet, but of course, make sure to do it with caution, wearing proper attire and fitness accessories like Nordic Lifting knee sleeves, Nordic Lifting wrist wraps, etc.
It's Bad for the Joint
Since you are dealing with barbells, dumbbells, and other kinds of weights and carrying them around with you while you do your exercises, people instantly assume that it's dangerous and, of course, bad for the joints. However, that's not what multiple studies have revealed. A study published in the Journal of Rheumatology found that patients suffering from knee pain experienced pain reductions of up to 43% after engaging in strength training exercises for 4 months.
In other words, it’s not bad; it’s actually beneficial for your joints.
These are just some of the most common myths about lifting weights. And if you ever hear them, make sure to beg to disagree. It’s not too late to help eliminate all these weightlifting fears that people have established without verifying if it’s the truth.
