I’m a Group Fitness Instructor, and These Are My Top 3 Exercise Myths
1. “I don’t have abs!”
You. Have. Abs.
We all have abs.
Perhaps what you really mean is,
“I can’t see my abs,”
or “My abs aren’t as strong as I’d like them to be.”
Just because you can’t see your abs doesn’t mean they aren’t there. And just because you can see your abs doesn’t mean they’re strong.
You. Have. Abs.
Our abdominal muscles sit beneath a layer of fat and skin. The amount of body fat, along with the thickness of your skin, influences how visible those muscles are. It’s possible to have strong, well-developed abdominal muscles that are hidden due to body fat.
It is also possible to have weak, underdeveloped muscles that are visible due to low body fat.
Genetics also plays a role in how your abs look. For example, the rectus abdominis, the long muscle that runs vertically down the front of your abdomen, is divided into segments. When these segments become visible, we often refer to them as a “six-pack.” However, not everyone has six segments. Some people naturally have four, while others have eight.
The moral of the story?
Don’t judge an ab by its cover.
2. “I’m over 40. I don’t need cardio.”
Good try, but hop off that chair sister and get moving, because whether you’re 40, 60, or 80, you still need cardio exercise.
Cardiovascular exercise is any activity that raises your heart rate and keeps it elevated for a sustained period. It strengthens your heart and lungs, improving their ability to deliver oxygen throughout your body.
Examples include dancing, dancing, and dancing. Okay, for the sake of transparency, there are many other forms, but they are boring in comparison, so shall remain nameless.
Did someone say dancing?
The scientifically proven benefits of regular cardio include:
● Improved mental wellbeing and brain function, thanks to those feel-good endorphins and that natural post-workout high.
● Better body composition and a healthier metabolism, helping you burn calories more efficiently.
● A stronger heart and healthier lungs, meaning less huffing and puffing and more energy for everyday life.
● Reduced risk of chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
In fact, the evidence supporting regular cardiovascular exercise is stronger than for almost any other single lifestyle intervention.
And this is where things get serious. Deadly serious.
Heart disease is one of Australia’s biggest killers. It is the leading cause of death for Australian men and the second leading cause for Australian women, behind dementia.
So… keep calm, power-walk to your phone, and book yourself a cardio class today. Your future self will thank you, no doubt with a heart emoji.
3. There’s a right time to start attending group fitness classes.
The old, “I’ll start when…”
Insert one of 452,000 reasons.
● I get over this hump at work.
● I’ve dropped a few kilos.
● My foot gets better.
● The kids finish school.
● I’ll just workout at home.
The reality is… yeah, nah. You probably won’t.
The old, I’ll start tomorrow trick.
Just like those weights you bought in lockdown or that portable stepper you thought was a bargain from Kmart, the chance of either of them, or you, getting much action, is low.
To be fair, many of the reasons above can feel like legitimate obstacles. For example, a sore foot or injury can absolutely make attending exercise classes more challenging.
But challenging doesn’t need to mean impossible.
In many cases, there are alternative ways to keep moving while you recover. Your doctor, physiotherapist, and fitness instructor can help you find options that best suit your circumstances.
Stay tuned.
Life will always find a way to get in the way. There will always be 452,000 reasons to put exercise off.
In my experience, the people who consistently stay active aren’t the ones with perfectly organised lives; they’re the ones who make movement a priority.
Because, like I always say to my students, you’ve got to keep moving… to keep moving.
Is there an exercise myth you would like to see busted? Let us know at suzie@dancedynamics.com.au
Suzie Pappas has been teaching at Dance Dynamics for five years and brings with her 45 years of dance experience across a diverse range of styles. With a lifelong passion for movement, performance and storytelling, Suzie combines her dance background with her academic pursuits, holding a Master of Arts in Creative Writing with a focus on the dance movie genre.
