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Myth #1: Muscle turns to fat when strength training stops
Muscle and fat are two completely different types of tissue. Strength training helps to maintain or increase muscle mass and decrease fat deposits by increasing metabolism. Detraining, or discontinuing
strength training, reverses the process. There is a slow decrease in mass and the energy demands of the body also decrease. If the athlete continues to eat the same amount of food during detraining, the body will deposit the unneeded energy as fat. This loss of muscle mass combined with increasing fat deposits gives the illusion of the "muscle turning to fat."
Myth #2: Strength Training causes cardiovascular damage.
Strength training, when performed properly, does not damage the cardiovascular system it actually helps to lower blood pressure. Proper form includes correct lifting technique, proper weight selection, appropriate set and repetition use, AND correct breathing techniques. These are the major reasons that new and inexperienced lifters should be closely
monitored. Improper breathing while lifting may result in problems such as black outs or even stroke. If a lifter holds his/her breath during muscle contraction a sharp rise (35 - 50%) in blood pressure
occurs. Proper breathing during weight lifting is as follows: Breathe out during concentric (shortening) contraction and inhale during
eccentric (lengthening) contractions. Relative to the bench press, one should exhale as the bar is lifted over the chest and inhale as the bar is slowly lowered back to the chest.
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Strength Myths