Breaking the myths of muscle

Features

Published: 23 Feb. 2009, 23:27

Breaking the myths of muscle

You want to get slimmer, but some myths or misconceptions are holding you back.

Stop making excuses.

Han Dong-gil, physical therapist at the anti-aging clinic La Clinique de Paris, is here to bust myths with a “true or false” session.

If you already have large muscles, it’s difficult to make them lean.

False. Lift light weights in sets of 20 to 30 reps, and unnecessary muscle will disappear. Remember to watch what you eat: less carbs and more protein.

Some people are genetically predisposed to be lean rather than super beefy.

True. People born with narrow shoulders, a lean trunk and a high metabolism will have trouble putting on weight or muscle after a certain point.

You need to take protein supplements.

False. They may help to an extent, but supplements can never replace natural food. It’s always better to eat chicken breast or lean beef. Another thing, protein supplements may lack vitamins.

If I am in my 40s with a potbelly, I can never get back into shape.

False. If you exercise regularly and are careful about what you eat, of course you can get in better shape. Instead of trying for a quick fix and going all out, exercise on a regular basis, and be flexible with your program, making sure you tailor it to how you feel on any given day.

But make sure you hit the gym at least four times a week for an hour a day. Do it for at least six months and you will begin to see a change.

It’s O.K. to start lifting weights in your early teens.

True. Kids tend to start growing earlier than before, so forget the myth that you won’t grow tall if you begin lifting at an early age. Actually, some exercise will strengthen bones and joints. But avoid excessive lifting.