5 Fitness Tips You Should Totally Ignore In 2018

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At the turn of each new year, countless people make resolutions to take better care of their health. And as this happens, it seems like even more people with their opinions on the “right” way to get healthy come popping out of the woodwork. So how do you know what’s worth believing and what’s total bunk?

Well, we’ll at least help you navigate a handful of the bigger, more impactful fitness myths out there that could lead you astray. Here are five things we hope you don’t believe as you set out to be the best version of yourself in 2018.

1. You need to use protein powder supplements to see muscle gain.

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Believe it or not, the typical American diet actually overdoes it when it comes to this macronutrient. Unless you’re a vegetarian or vegan, struggle with particular health issues or have a seriously low muscle density (not at all likely), you probably have no issue consuming the amount of protein your body needs in a given day to build new muscle as well as repair damaged fibers. So when it comes to your new strength-building workouts, focus on the exercises you’re doing rather than how many protein shakes you can fit into your day. Engaging the muscle properly and working it intentionally is the priority here.

2. You’re going to have to shell out a lot of cash for your workouts.

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Just because all of your friends are throwing their savings at boutique fitness doesn’t mean you have to do the same to stay fit. There are still gym chains in existence that offer monthly membership fees as low as $10, and the streaming space is loaded with all sorts of cheap workout opportunities. Even ClassPass is offering access to their exclusive live video workouts for just $15 per month. You might want to join the expensive crowd to be a part of the experience, which is entirely okay, but just make sure you notice that difference and that you can score amazing workouts no matter how limited your budget may be.

3. You’ll need to spend a lot of time on fitness to get the results you want.

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Ever heard of HIIT? It was one of the most popular workout styles in 2017 and it’s only gaining momentum as we jump into 2018 because of its ability to get so much done in so little time. High-intensity interval training is a safe and effective way to achieve major strength, endurance and calorie-burn wins in a shorter period of time, and the fitness world is catching on. Now, that’s not to say that a nice, long run is a waste of your time or that spending an hour in the weight room at your local gym is ineffective. It just goes to show that you do have options when it comes to both the type of workout you like to do and the amount of time you have (or want) to spend on it.

4. Ending up super sore the next day means you’re doing it right.

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While it’s okay to go hard one day and really feel it the next, that give and take should not be your main goal when it comes to working out — especially on a daily basis. Different workouts will challenge your body in different ways, all of which are benefitting its transformation in the long haul. If anything, you need to balance strength exercises with endurance exercises with flexibility exercises to keep your body healthy and injury-free, and the same goes for the intensity level of your workouts. If all you do is “go go go!” you’re going to crash and burn before you even realize it’s happening.

5. If you’re not really sweaty after a workout, it wasn’t worth it.

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Again, fitness isn’t about going hard all the time. If anything, this year is going to see a significant uptick in workouts that focus keenly on the mind-body connection and slowing down rather than speeding up. Meditation classes are on the rise, “breathwork” is becoming a true buzzword, and people are coming to learn that self-improvement doesn’t just lie within a faster sprint time or a heavier chest press. We need a 360-degree approach to wellness, and sometimes, that means sacrificing the physical sweat that comes with it. But don’t worry, the mental (and emotional) challenges will well make up for it.