Three exercise myths busted
Great Eastern Life helps debunk common workout misconceptions
PETALING JAYA: There is no doubt that exercise is important to our health. Not only does it maintain bone and muscle mass, it also causes the brain to secrete happy chemicals, leaving us feeling euphoric and confident.
In our quest to achieve our desired fitness level and physical shape, we often search for information from numerous sources – the Internet, gym buddies, friends and family. However, not all sources are accurate.
It is all too human to take the path with least resistance and not checking the information with someone more knowledgeable. That is why sayings such as “No pain, no gain” have insidiously made their way into gyms and exercise studios.
Someone who is knowledgeable and passionate about this topic is David Chua, 26, a personal trainer for the past four years.
This ACE-certified professional, who is also trained in precision nutrition and kinesiology, reveals three popular misconceptions about exercise his clients had before he enlightened them.
Heavier weights for bulk, lighter weights to get ‘cut’
“This is one of those Bro Science statements that guys like to regurgitate,” reveals Chua.
The statement refers to the popular belief that exercising using heavy weights will automatically lead to an increase in muscle size, while exercising with light ones, especially with high number of repetitions, will give muscles more definition without the increased mass.
Chua explains that you can make a 2kg dumbbell feel as heavy as 5kg by the way you lift it.
He says: “Form must be number one.” Carrying a heavy dumbbell without the right form means putting tension on other muscles, meaning the targeted muscle group will not grow as large, he adds.
“Once you stimulate the mind-muscle connection and activate the actual muscle group, you’re on the right path.”
Jogging is the best way to lose fat
Chua says this myth is prevalent among his female clients. For optimum fat loss, he says that a whole gamut of activities is required.
Comparing an anaerobic exercise such as weight training to cardio activity, such as jogging, Chua advises that weights will “definitely burn fat faster”.
This is because anaerobic activities help the body achieve the right elevated heart rate more quickly than jogging can, says Chua.
“It takes at least 20 minutes of jogging to hit the right cardiovascular level,” he shares, “by which time most people would want to stop already.”
Jogging on a treadmill stresses the knees less than jogging on the road
“This is really one of the worst things one can say,” laments Chua. “It’s actually the other way around.”
Perhaps this myth arose because treadmills are located indoors, in air-conditioned comfort.
On the open road, a person can adjust his speed and gait while maintaining a forward momentum.
However, on a treadmill, a jogger is forced to stay within the narrow confines of the treadmill belt, which may interfere with his natural running gait and stress his limbs.
Also, because of the belt’s pull, the jogger just has to lift his body up and down, thus contributing to a heavier landing of his feet.
This places a lot of stress on the knees. Just listen to how hard most people slam their feet against the treadmill belt the next time you visit a gym!
Star Health Expo 2018 with the theme “Get Fit. Live Great!” is to inspire Malaysians to lead a healthy lifestyle by being physically and mentally fit.
Star Health Expo 2018 is organised by I.Star Events Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Star Media Group Berhad with Great Eastern Life as exclusive event partner.
It will be held in Halls 1 to 3 of the Mid Valley Exhibition Centre from July 13 to 15, 2018.
It is open from 10am to 7pm and admission is free. For more information, call 03-79671388 (ext 1541/1097) or visit