Debunking Common Fitness Myths

The myth of spot reduction refuses to die. No, doing thousands of crunches won't melt your belly fat. I explain why targeted fat loss is impossible and what you should focus on instead for a leaner physique.

Your fitness watch is lying to you about calories burned. While great for tracking steps and heart rate, studies show these devices are highly inaccurate for measuring energy expenditure. Focus on calories in, not calories out.

Are expensive pre-workout supplements necessary? Most of them rely on two simple things for their effect: caffeine and the placebo effect. Save your money and have a cup of coffee instead.

"Don't eat carbs post 6 pm!" "Don't eat fruit!" I've heard it all. Here's a compilation of some of the most unhelpful and stupid pieces of fitness advice people are given.

"Sitting is the new smoking." It isn't. If you work out regularly and are active daily, sitting for your job is not a major concern. The key is to limit prolonged sedentariness, not eliminate sitting entirely.

Every few years, grifters find a new scapegoat for obesity, from eggs to carbs to the current villain, seed oils. Science is complex, and there is rarely a single answer to a complex problem.

Fear-mongers love blaming carbs for weight loss struggles because it's a simple explanation for a complex issue. Often, this is just a tactic to sell you a supplement, product, or service.

The evidence linking artificial sweeteners to health risks is currently lacking. While this could change, remember that science is nuanced and correlation does not equal causation. Be wary of hyperbolic claims.

Whey protein is one of the most studied supplements and is safe for consumption. The real danger isn't whey itself, but the shady companies that sell substandard, untested products to make a quick buck.