By Ashton Johnson, B.A. Public Health, ACE Certified Personal Trainer | Personal Training in Edina Minnesota
The internet and television are full of fitness fads that promise instant results with little to know work required. With these constantly changing trends, and lofty promises it is easy to get caught in a marketing scheme that isn’t backed up by research. Here are a few popular trends, and whether or not they are a waste of your time!
Fit Fad: Sauna Suits will help speed up weight loss
Sauna suits are lightweight, track suits that are anything but breathable. Just as the name implies, they are designed to raise your body temperature. Claims surrounding these suits include, increase in fat burned, increase in calories burned, a great way to detox, and a way to boost your metabolism. All of these claims sound amazing, and almost too good to be true. Unfortunately, they are. While you might see immediate weight loss, that is due to the large amount of sweat that you will inevitably lose while wearing your designer trash bag. These suits can even make working out dangerous. Your chance of injuries due to dehydration, and heat related illnesses skyrocket while wearing a Sauna Suit. Unless your goal is to train for an event in a high heat environment, there is no benefit to training in a Sauna Suit.
Bottom Line: FICTION!
Fit Fad: TRX straps are a great exercise tool
TRX suspension training grew in popularity around 2005-2010. This product also seemed to offer some benefits that would seem too good to be true. Was something so convenient, also so effective? It’s wide use in the military led to its introduction into the professional sports world, and they haven’t looked back since. Using suspension training has been shown to increase strength, balance, coordination, flexibility, as well as conditioning and stabilization. The best part about it is that it is so easy to adjust the difficulty of the exercises to meet the needs of the user, and can be done practically anywhere. This is definitely a trend that you don’t want to miss out on!
Bottom Line: FACT!
Fit Fad: Waist trainers will help you lose weight
Waist trainers have become very popular in recent years thanks to celebrities like the Kardashians, Amber Rose, and Jessica Alba. Are these celebrities sending the wrong message? The claims of waist trainers is that they will help you sculpt that hourglass figure seen by the celebrities who use them. Other claims are a bit more extreme like weight Loss, and fat burning. According to Healthline, these claims are misleading. There is no evidence to show that waist trainers have any effect at all on weight loss, fat burning, and body shaping. Doctors actually advise caution when using these devices due to their negative side effects. These side effects include; trouble breathing, weakened core, gastrointestinal issues, and in extreme cases, organ damage. You are much more likely to see the results you want through a proper diet, and exercise regimen.
Bottom Line: FICTION!
Fit Fad: Foam rolling is good for your muscles
Foam rolling before and after workouts is a common sight in many gyms and yoga studios. Is this sometimes painful massage even worth it? According to SCL Health there are plenty of benefits to foam rolling. Much like traditional massage, foam rolling is a great way to improve blood circulation to your muscles, and organs. By releasing the tension created by tight muscle tissue you can also increase your range of motion, resulting in a safer, and more effective workout. On top of all of that, foam rolling has been shown to decrease the discomfort felt by delayed onset muscle soreness, leaving you feeling better the day after a workout. Foam rollers are a very effective tool for both pre, and post workout injury prevention as well as overall mobility and comfort.
Bottom Line: FACT!
If you’re looking for a great personal trainer near Edina MN, then don’t hesitate to contact your local personal trainers at 3CLICK Fitness today!