Debunking The Common Myths Surrounding Bodybuilding and Supplements
We look at some of the common myths surrounding bodybuilding and supplements and how they are debunked.
22/01/2021
When it comes to bodybuilding and supplements, there are a ton of different myths floating around the internet along with plenty of misinformation. While it is important that you do your research and educate yourself on bodybuilding and supplements, it is also important that you take the time to fact check and ensure that the sources you are reading are reputable and accurate. This ensures that you are doing what is best for your body, while also making sure that you are informed. Here are some of the common myths surrounding bodybuilding and supplements and how they are debunked.
Supplements Are Not Anabolic Steroids
This is one of the most common pieces of misinformation or myths that is thrown onto the internet. While there is some truth to the statement, it is not nearly as bad as people make it out to be. Supplements such as pre-workout and post-workout, are a form of steroid, however they are completely legal and also completely safe for your body. The experts at Wilsonsupplements.com even strongly recommend supplements like this as they generally contain chemicals that your body is already producing. Supplements like this will greatly boost your workouts without causing any health issues to you. As mentioned above, supplements get a bad wrap because they are classified as a steroid.
When it comes to working out, the main steroid that you want to avoid is anabolic steroids. These are the steroids that can be harmful to your body and cause a lot of long term health effects. While you will gain a lot of muscle in the short term, your body will slowly destroy itself over time. Supplements provide you with a fully legal and healthy option to get the boost that you need in your workout without putting yourself at the same risk an anabolic steroid would. Contrary to what people say, supplements are not anabolic steroids.
Organic and Natural Supplements Are Not Always Better
When it comes to supplements and vitamins, there are always ones that claim to be all natural. In this case, that does not always mean they are better or healthier for you to use. While you don’t want to be throwing supplements into your body that contain weird ingredients, science has come a long way to offer the best products with the best performance. There are regulations in place to ensure that manufacturers make products that are safe, and anything that does not pass these regulations cannot be put on the market.
Think of it in the same way as organic food. While you don’t want your food to be completely modified and changed, science has come a long way to modify plants to provide the most amount of nutrition possible. Finding the right supplement does not mean finding an all natural one, especially because the rules around natural ingredients in the supplement world are extremely vague as well. Natural does not always mean better.
Do Not Train Until You Can’t Anymore
No serious bodybuilder will ever tell you to train until you can’t anymore, yet it is a popular phrase that is thrown around by amateur weightlifters. While you want to push your body to get the best results, you have to listen to it and understand what is happening. If your muscles are extremely sore and you feel things are not working correctly, take a break and relax. Taking one day off from the gym is much better than injuring yourself and not being able to go for three straight weeks. Work at everything slowly and progress as your body tells you. If you are in a lot of pain, your body is trying to send you a message.
The same can be said about the food you eat as well. You want to have a strict diet, but at the same time you can’t be robbing your body of food and essential nutrients. If your body is telling you it is hungry, it means it is time to put some food into your system. If you don’t listen to your body, you are going to have a bad time bodybuilding and will fail.
You Can Burn Fat and Gain Muscle
Another piece of misinformation that is spread online is that you should lose fat and gain muscle separately. This is not true, as you can definitely do both with the right diet and work effort. When it comes to losing weight, you will have to keep your calories lower than what your body is expanding. To gain muscle, you have to give your body the nutrients that it needs to do so. Because of this, people often say it is impossible to accomplish both at the same time as to gain muscle you have to eat. A solution to this is to lower your carbohydrate intake and replace it with proteins. Proteins are the main nutrient used for building muscle, meaning your body will get the nutrients it needs to recover, while at the same time you will be keeping your calories low resulting in you burning fat. You can accomplish both with the right workout and diet regimen.
Stretch Before Working Out
Stretching is one of those that people will often avoid as they are lazy and instead want to use that time working out. People will also say that the best thing to do is to jump straight into your workout and shock the body. This is not true, as studies have shown that those who do not stretch have a much higher risk of injuring their body during their workout. Taking the time to stretch before and after ensures that your muscles will be prepared for the incoming exercise, and also will be better equipped to recover. You should be stretching before and after your workouts.
Hopefully this has debunked some of the most common myths that you have heard and believed. At the end of the day, if you are looking to bodybuild, you have to take the time to research everything to ensure you are doing it properly. How you bodybuild as well is up to you, so do not let anyone tell you that you should either be lifting much heavier or lighter. Find a regimen that works for you and a diet that you can follow, and before long you will be seeing results.