Sales of fitness equipment have soared in the past year. People are trying to exercise in their own homes while they are not able to go to the gyms. It’s a great idea for staying in shape but many are bogged down by fitness equipment myths. We tackle some of them below:
Myth #1: You need a fortune to build a home gym.
There is a misconception that you need lots of money just to be able to work out at home. This is definitely wrong. Plenty of people have been able to achieve so much with so little. The reality is that you don’t need any equipment to start as basic bodyweight exercises can take you far. Once you reach your plateau, you will need to add more load but free weights such as dumbbells and kettlebells are quite affordable. Even spin bikes and treadmills come in affordable models.
Myth #2: You have to lift heavy weights to get fit.
Lifting heavy can help you bulk up. If your aim is to pack on more muscles, then this will be necessary. However, heavy is relative to each individual. Beginners might find a 10lb dumbbell quite heavy whereas a body builder might think nothing of it. If you’re just starting out, then you don’t need to invest a lot on massive weight plates just yet. Small ones will offer ample resistance for you level. Build your collection as you go. You should also remember that fitness is not just about bulging muscles. Think about your balance, endurance, agility, and speed as well, especially if you are playing sports.
Myth #3: Fitness machines will get you shredded.
Fitness machines can help you get shredded but you will have to work hard to make this happen. It’s not guaranteed by just buying one. It will take a long time to achieve the incredible physique that you see on TV. Those models using the machines had to work on their fitness for years. Set your expectations accordingly.
Myth #4: Machines are safer because of guided motion.
This may be true to some extent. You are less likely to go out of position or get seriously injured with a machine that guides your motion. However, these machines will only work optimally if they have been adjusted to the correct settings. These may be different for each user. Study how to do this so you can get more out of these machines.
