Myth #9: Weight training makes you stiff and inflexible.

Performing exercises through their full range of motion actually increases flexibility. Exercises such as chest flyes, deadlifts, and presses stretch muscles in the bottom range of the movement. So, if you perform these exercises correctly you will become more flexible.

Myth #10: Weight training and exercise allows you to eat anything you want.

Absolutely NOT (unless you want to gain weight). Our individual metabolism determines how many calories we burn at rest and while we are exercising. The calculation is simple calories out (exercise) need to be greater than calories in (food). Eating more calories than we burn accumulates as fat no matter how much exercise we do. Also, don’t always trust the calorie readout on the treadmills and elliptical. Most machines are calibrated for someone who weighs more than the average woman, so the calorie readout is often way too high. In 30 minutes a 145 lb woman can burn approximately 130 calories walking at 3.5mph or 345 calories running at 6mph.  The other factor is the more muscle mass you have, the more calories you will burn. If you are a lean 145 lbs you may be burning even more.