Our favourite gym myths

The internet can be such a good place for information on a number of topics, one of them being fitness and nutrition. However read long enough and you'll come across far more rubbish than good.


We wanted to de-bunk our favourite myths not only from the internet but what we hear in and around the gym.

1. Eating Carbs late at night is bad for you

Carbs are vital to your training and your health end of. If you've download our Playbooks then you'll know we're huge believers in eating carbs but we do suggest keeping them in and around your training.

We all train at different times during the day so it don't you think it's silly to believe that only morning enthusiast should and can eat carbs?

Form what we hear there is a belief that carbs eating late in the afternoon (usually post 6pm) will just sit there and convert into fat while you're laying in bed sleeping. To start with your body actually uses energy when you are sleeping, keeping you alive, breathing and recovering. Plus muscle growth actually happens while you are resting and sleeping and not while you're training so don't cut your efforts short.

Eat the right amount of carbs in and around you're training and you'll be on the fats track to greatness.

2. One type of cardio is superior

We all know a HIIT advocate or a distance jogger/runner who believes their type of cardio is the best way to lose weight and get fit and we actually think they're both right.

Let's face it, you're either a cardio person or not regardless of which type you prefer so why sell yourself short?

Both HIIT and long steady cardio are effective as long as you complete both and we firmly believe your programme should contain both types and the results speak for themselves. Both types improve overall fitness, fat loss results and health so don't limit their benefits.

Check out our blog on active recovery session.

3. The "eat what ever you like" Bulk

All calories aren't the same. Your body uses calories from sugar very differently from the calories in whole wheat carbs for instance.


Bad calories build a bad body it's as simple as that. Eating whatever you like will most likely help you gain negative weight in the form of fat so yes you're weight will go up but so will your gut.


Bulking isn't easy and sometimes junk food can be appealing since you need a load of calories and you're already full but just remember it shouldn't be your first choice.


If you find yourself reaching for bad food when trying to finish off your intake after a long day try drinking your food like a peanut butter and banana protein smoothie. The liquid form makes it easier to consume while the calories are from real ingredients.


4. Cutting carbs is the best way to lose body fat

Cutting out carbs will help you lose weight but most that is water loss. Cutting out the carbs in your diet will just create a smaller version of yourself but not a leaner version necessarily.


Controlling your carbs and optimising their timing by eating around your training is the best way to promote lean muscle growth which in turn will give you the appearance of a leaner body and better muscle definition.


5. Bodybuilding style training only

Bodybuilding is a popular training system these days but most people stick to the same set and rep range and exercises for years and wonder why nothing changes. Yes, increasing the sets and reps will increase your workout intensity but it's not productive in the long run.


Cycling through various training phases and changing up your routine every 10-12 weeks is best option. Strength work (5-8 reps) can add density to your muscles while endurance work (15+) can help increase your muscle tone and cardio phases can help improve your overall fitness and recovery. The more you challenge your body the better it will adapt.

6. Crunches

We have been skeptical about crunches ever since we read about their impact on your spin and posture (especially when your holding the back of your head and pulling it forward) so we try to steer people towards other and better options.


Since we sit for most of the day and always hunched over it's not ideal to re-enforce this postural position by doing crunches. Start working on your lower back, glutes and lower abs more to really see some improvement.


What's your favourite gym myth? We'd love to hear from you. Check us out on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.