MilitarySpot.com

Serving the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard

Online Schools
| Find Jobs
Follow MilitarySpot:
 
  • Home
  • Enlist
    • Join The Army
    • Join The Navy
    • Join The Air Force
    • Join The Marines
    • Join The Coast Guard
    • Join The National Guard
    • ASVAB
    • Army Physical Fitness Test
    • Military Draft
    • Prior Service Army Enlistment
  • Career
    • Join the Military
    • Jobs for Military and Civilians
    • Career Center
    • Prior Service Army Enlistment
    • Criminal Justice
  • Education
    • Online Schools
    • Spouse Education Benefits
    • GI Bill
    • Military Schools
    • Criminal Justice
  • Benefits
    • Army Benefits
    • Navy Benefits
    • Air Force Benefits
    • Marine Corps Benefits
    • National Guard Benefits
    • Coast Guard Benefits
    • 2012 Basic Pay Rates
    • Allowances
    • Special & Incentive Pay
    • Military Spouse Education Benefits
    • VA Education Benefits
    • GI Bill
  • News
    • Headline News
    • Army News
    • Marines News
    • Airforce News
  • Finance
    • Debt Relief
    • Military Pay Rates
    • Military Personal Loans
    • VA Loans
    • Military Star Card
    • Military MyPay
  • Spouses
    • School Finder
    • Scholarships & Grants
    • PCS, DITY, & Moving
    • Pay Rates
    • MyCAA
    • Education Benefits
  • Community
    • Military Games
    • Military Reunions
    • Classifieds
    • Photo Gallery
    • Buddy Finder
    • MilitarySpot Pinups
    • Military Bases
  • Resources
    • Military Alphabet
    • Military Reunions
    • Military Acronyms
    • Currency Converter
    • Military Tools
    • Ranks
    • Military Time
    • Military Tactics
    • Military Discounts
    • Military Games
    • Military Videos
    • Photo Gallery
    • Infographics
    • How To
  • Travel

Workout Myths – Are You Doing More Harm Than Good?

Sept 5, 2012
By Lance Cpl. Ali Azimi

MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif – Physical fitness is a part of a Marine’s everyday life, whether it’s unit physical training or hitting the gym during some downtime.

Along the path to improving our physical abilities, we naturally come across rumors about what is and what is not good for us.

Many of these workout suggestions can actually be damaging our bodies and slow the progress in our training.

 

We hear these “myths” from friends, co-workers or even strangers at the gym. Just because they are running next to you on the treadmill or are a good friend doesn’t make them a reliable source.

Most of us learn about stretching before every workout during elementary school gym. But there is more than one type of stretching, and each has a different purpose.

Static stretching, such as touching your toes or quad stretches, as a warm-up has not been proven to help prevent injuries during a workout.

“You want to do more dynamic warm-ups, starting with general mobility,” said John Hollis, recreational specialist, West Gym, who also holds a Masters degree in physical fitness.

To warm up muscles, exercises such as jumping jacks or stationary squats are recommended. Move on to lunges and “Frankenstein” walks for an added boost.

Although static stretching doesn’t do much as a warm-up, it has its place at the end of a workout, helping start the recovery process of the muscles.

Cardio exercises are an important part of raising and maintaining stamina and endurance. But which is better for the body: running on a treadmill or outside?

There is a give and take when deciding between the two.

Treadmills provide better cushion for the joints compared to running on asphalt, and it helps keep a steady pace during a run. Adjusting the incline setting to one percent furthers a closer simulation to outdoor running. However, it is still not the same.

“You’re not propelling yourself forward,” Hollis said. “You’re keeping up with the tread.”

Although treadmills save some wear-and-tear on the joints, a part of the physical gain of running outdoors is taken away. Purchasing the right kind of running shoes can help alleviate the stress outdoor running puts on your joints. Talk with a footwear expert at any athletic store to find out what style and type suits your body and exercise lifestyle.

Protein is a key building block of muscle growth. This widely known fact sends many to the local nutrition stores buying large amounts of protein shake products. While it doesn’t do much harm getting in the extra protein, it’s not as good as what you might get from chicken breast or fish.

“I think the main benefit of protein shakes right after you’re working out is the convenience,” Hollis said. “It starts the recovery process and you want some protein and carbohydrates within 30 minutes of your workout.”

Drink protein shakes as needed, but be sure it’s not the body’s only means of protein.

Many people’s main goal in exercise is weight loss. Some may spend much of their time in saunas or steam rooms trying to sweat the weight off. This not only does’nt work, it can be harmful.

Initially, there is some weight loss. You sweat so profusely, the body loses a lot of water causing a drop in weight. However, all this weight is gained back once the body replenishes its water supply throughout the day.

Not only does it not work toward weight loss, but staying in these rooms for too long can cause people to pass out or give them heart problems.

These are just some of the myths floating around. Before making any “friendly suggestions” part of your regular routine, make sure to check the facts with a knowledgeable source. Trainers at the base’s gym are on staff to help.

Related Posts:

  • Balancing the Weights for A Strong Upper BodyBalancing the Weights for A Strong Upper Body
  • Training Tank Offers New In-Water Workout ProgramTraining Tank Offers New In-Water Workout Program
  • Busted! 5 Fitness and Health Tips That May Make You CryBusted! 5 Fitness and Health Tips That May Make You Cry
  • Face of Defense: CrossFit Coach Helps Soldiers Stay FitFace of Defense: CrossFit Coach Helps Soldiers Stay Fit
  • Do Mini-Workouts Get Results?Do Mini-Workouts Get Results?
  • Combat Fitness Test Preparation: Prepare for Annual Fitness Test with Key ExercisesCombat Fitness Test Preparation: Prepare for Annual Fitness…

Comments

Filed Under: Benefits, Marines, News, Personal, Resources

  • News
  • Enlist
  • Education
  • Career
  • Finance

Marines and Technology; A Deadly Combination

FEBRUARY 21, 2019, Camp Lejeune, NC – To stay ahead of its adversaries Marine Corps is constantly improving its warfighting capabilities through advancement in science and technology. To ensure this operational strategy continues to evolve in a 21st century battlespace, several military officials conducted a Science and Technology Experimentation Office Advisory Group at Camp Lejeune, […]

Army Secretary Honors Top Recruiters

FEBRUARY 6, 2019 – Traveling about half the time of the year as a recruiter, Staff Sgt. Jon McCoy heavily relies on his wife to take care of their toddler and home. “The whole reason why I’m here is the support that my wife is able to provide,” he said Monday afternoon before a ceremony […]

How TAP Helps Transitioning Service Members Navigate the Intricacies of Higher Education

NOVEMBER 20, 2018 – Navigating the intricacies of higher education can be a challenge – and transitioning service members and veterans have many obstacles to traverse to achieve success – but there is help available. Melinda Manyx, curriculum program manager, Department of Defense (DoD), Transition to Veterans Program Office (TVPO), spoke to conference attendees at […]

New Army App Provides Mobile Access to HR, Pay Records

FEBRUARY 13, 2019 – The Army has released a new human resources mobile application for the Integrated Personnel and Pay System – Army (IPPS-A) that allows Soldiers to access their personnel records using a mobile phone or tablet. IPPS-A is the Army’s next generation human resources and pay system that revolutionizes the way the Army […]

Don’t Let Criminals Steal Your Tax Return

FEBRUARY 20, 2019, Fort Knox, KY – In 2018, the Internal Revenue Service reported a surge in phone scamming during the income tax return season and are again cautioning filers not to be fooled by criminals. On their website, the IRS lists scam phone calls near the top of its annual “Dirty Dozen” list of […]

Recent Posts

  • Marines and Technology; A Deadly Combination
  • Army SHARP, Ready and Resilient Directorate
  • Bringing the Ship Back to Life
  • ACC Commander And Chief Visit Al Dhafra Air Base
  • Don’t Let Criminals Steal Your Tax Return
MAINMENU


SITESEARCH
Can't find something? Try using our site search to dig through our entire site.



Still having trouble? Try the Advanced Search to refine your searches.
NEWSLETTERSUBSCRIBE
Sign Up To Receive Information, Updates and Special Officers from MilitarySpot.com.



Don't miss an issue! Jump in the Newsletter Archives to catch up on previous issues.
FOLLOWMILITARY SPOT

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & StumbleUpon and more. Keep up with MilitarySpot.com news & updates. We also have an RSS Feed.

Advertise | About | Write for Us | Contact | Feedback | Recruiter Network | Unsubscribe | DMCA | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
 
Copyright 2004-2019 Sun Key Publishing. All Rights Reserved.

This is a private website that is not affiliated with the U.S. government, U.S. Armed Forces, or Department of Veterans Affairs. U.S. government agencies have not reviewed this information. This site is not connected with any government agency. If you would like to find more information about benefits offered by the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs, please visit the official U.S. government web site for veterans benefits at http://www.va.gov.

 
This is not the official recruiting website of the U.S. Military. The site you are on is run by Sun Key Publishing, a private company, and is not endorsed by or affiliated with the U.S. Military.