Is it best to stretch before a workout? Should you focus on cardio for the best calorie burning? We separate the myths from the facts…

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Exercise myth: to burn the most calories, focus on cardio

The reality: Both weight training and cardio burn calories, but lifting weights boosts your metabolism for up to 2

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Exercise myth: crunches will give you the best abs

The reality: 'The core includes the whole midsection - front, back and sides.

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Exercise myth: rest between sets

The reality: Stopping to rest for a minute or so after every exercise can sabotage results.

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Exercise myth: any time is a good time to exercise

The reality: Finding time to exercise can be a challenge, so any time at the gym is admirable, says Fabio Comana, senior

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Exercise myth: practice high reps and low weight to burn more fat

The reality: The idea that you should use heavy weights to build muscle and light weights to lose fat is n

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Exercise myth: squats are best for toning glutes

The reality: Squats still rank as a good exercise for the glutes, but a recent study by the American Council on Exercise (A

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Exercise myth: the thigh machine is best for eliminating thigh fat

The reality: When you exercise, fat will be burned globally throughout your body, not just in the area in

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Exercise myth: always stretch before you work out

The reality: Contrary to popular belief, stretching is not a necessary part of a warm up, says Schoenfeld.

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Exercise myth: alternate between cardio and weight-lifting days

The reality: The myth that you should take a day off between workouts is based on the idea that the body nee

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Exercise myth: do yoga and pilates for long, lean muscles

The reality: Unfortunately, the prospect of becoming longer and leaner by performing any type of exercise is just

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Exercise myth: sit on a fitness ball at work to strengthen your core

The reality: Strengthening of any kind requires a gradual progression of increased challenge to the mus