Can You Identify Which Fitness Tips Are Myths?

Even the most knowledgeable of gym rats can get their fitness facts muddled from time to time, and since information in the wellness world changes with new studies, we want to test your exercise expertise by providing you with some statements that need verifying or debunking. Read the following five claims, guess whether they're true or false, then find out the answers after the jump!

1. Crunches Are The Best Way To Blast Belly Fat

2. Drinking Water Helps You Lose Weight

3. You Will Burn More Calories With Cardio Than Weight Lifting

4. Lifting Weights Will Make You Look Bulky

5. Stretching Before A Run Will Prevent Injury

What's true and what's false? Check out the answers after the jump.

Answers:
1. FALSE. Without incorporating cardio into your workout, you'll never be able to see your sculpted abs. Burn off the fat first or simultaneously.

2. TRUE. A recent study found that drinking two 8-ounce glasses of water before meals may help with weight loss. Opting for water most likely means you're cutting out calorie-heavy sodas and juices from your diet, plus it helps with appetite suppression.

3. FALSE. Weight training speeds up your metabolism and builds muscle, which will help you burn fat during your cardio sessions. Some studies even suggest that your body will continue burning calories long after you've finished hitting the weights.

4. FALSE. This is a common misconception, especially among women. Without high levels of testosterone, bulking up is actually hard! You'd have to engage in some seriously outrageous weight lifting, combined with muscle enhancers. Lifting weights and building lean muscle will help you shed pounds.

5. FALSE. While loosening up the muscles before a workout is a good idea, static stretching (holding a pose for a significant period of time) can actually destabilize muscles and make them more prone for injury. The safest bet is to do a light warm-up before you get into your workout and then do a more extensive stretch afterward.

via remotecontrol.mtv.com

As I have said before, there is a lot of mis-information out there about the way to build muscle. The article above, from MTV of all places, really hits on some of the most common myths about workout routines and their effect.

We will dive in depth on each of these topics in the coming posts and learn the best way to build muscle and lose weight!