Let’s be clear, I am not a competitive bodybuilder, triple certified fitness/diet guru, a physician, or university accredited egghead. Nor do I play any of those on TV. That said I have to tell you that the world of fitness and bodybuilding is littered with myths and misconceptions. Heck and I thought the world of wine was confusing.
So, let me clear up a few of the most damaging myths to your progress in building muscle and getting strong.
1. There are supplements that are as effective as steroids. Actually, only steroids are as good as steroids. Nothing in the natural world is going to match what the chemical world has to offer (at least as far as steroids go). In other words, do not spend your hard owned money on products that purport to do what it cannot do. As for the chemical stuff, this is not a path you want to do down.
2. To look like a professional bodybuilder, you have to work out like a professional bodybuilder – no, not really. Who says that professional bodybuilders know what they are doing? Look it, most do but it is not a given. Carrying 230lbs on a 5’8″ frame takes more than a good routine and some protein powder.
3. If beginners are suppose to do a whole body routine and an intermediate is suppose to split their workouts into 2, then well, I must need to do split my workouts 4 ways now – no, not really. More is not better. If you are seeing good results on 10 sets, it is not given that you will see better results on 20 or 30 sets. Frankly, giving maximum effort with the minimum amount of sets will yield maximum results.
4. To get big, you must eat big, huge, Godzilla like calories – okay, maybe. If you just want to get big (see fat), then you should eat a big meal every 3 hours – why not. The old timers used to recommend blending a quart of milk, cup of powdered milk, 3 to 5 scoops of ice cream, and a weight gain formula (remember the Weider No. 7) and drinking it throughout the day. Do you want to build permanent, lean mass over time or pack on 60/40 mix of ground beef in 4 weeks?
5. Going for the pump is sweet as is the burn. Getting that great pump with your muscles swelling to twice its size is great for the ego, but not so good for building muscle. You want a good pump, crank out 25 curls with a dumbbell. But will that recruit the deep fibers that will get you strong, and hopefully big? You want a burn; stick your arms out to your side and swing them in little circles about a 100 times. Your delts will be burning but not growing. Heavy weights with maximum effort at 6 to 10 reps with a couple forced reps or strip/drop sets will build strength and muscle.
There are other myths out there that can hold you back – absolutely. But as you work toward your fitness goals, consider these thoughts, weigh them against your experience, and validate the truth of what I claim.
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