In the world of fitness and weight training there are several myths that float around. Unfortunately there is no, one governing body for fitness so many of the myths out there are generated by individuals who believe one thing or another. I have compiled a list of myths to help educate you on your fitness journey.

1. Strength training will make me bulk up. This concern is a big one for females but it is a misguided one. Yes strength training will develop muscle but as females we lack the large quantities of testosterone that males have, this alone makes it very difficult for us to bulk up the way men do.
2. Strength training will make me stiff and inflexible. While any training, cardio or weight based, can make you stiff and sore. It will not make you “muscle-bound.” As a matter of fact adding weights to your workout
   convinces the muscles to stretch past their usual length.
3. If I stop strength training my muscle will turn to fat. The only way you will gain fat after ceasing to strength train is if you continue to eat the increased calorie intake that you had while you were strength training.
4. Muscle weighs more than fat. Yes and no. Yes in that your weight may not change but your body shape will change with muscle gain. In reality though, it is a no. Muscle is a much more dense mass than fat and therefore takes up less space, meaning you can store more muscle. For example the space 1 cup of fat takes up, is large enough for 2 cups of muscle.
5. Strength training will make me a slower runner. False, strength training can actually further your running career. It is true that you do not want to have the build of Mr. Olympia, but having some muscle will help your body, especially your legs to survive the longer runs.
6. Cardio burns more fat. False, if you are wanting to burn fat, and encourage your body to burn more calories you need muscle. Strength training builds muscles, and increased muscle increases your metabolic rate.
7. Strength training is bad for the joints. If anything you may have to modify the way you do an exercise in order to work around an pre-existing joint injury but overall training your body to move with weight is best for your joints. Your knees for example already have to lift your 140+ pound frame, the stronger the muscles are around the joint the more stable it is.

Hopefully this answered a few questions for you and shed some light on what strength training can do for your body. I like to tell my clients, “You don’t have to be able to lift a car, but you should be able to move your own body around with ease.”

-Candace & Cortney