Think you know the facts about getting fit? You may be surprised to learn how many are really fiction. It's easy to fall into the trap: A workout buddy passes along an exercise tip, and then you pass it on to several folks you know. One day, you're at the gym, and sure enough, you hear the same tip repeated, so you figure it must be true. But experts say that in the world of fitness, myths and half-truths abound – and some of them may be keeping you from getting the workout you need.
     That said, experts say there are also some fitness myths that just need busting, and the sooner the better.
     Fitness Myth No. 1: Running on a treadmill puts less stress on your knees than running on asphalt or pavement. Running is a great workout, but it can impact the knees--since it's the force of your body weight on your joints that causes the stress, it's the same whether you're on a treadmill or on asphalt. The best way to reduce knee impact, is to vary your workout. If you mix running with other cardio activities, like an elliptical machine, or you ride a stationary bike, you will reduce impact on your knees so you'll be able to run for many more years.
     Fitness Myth No. 2: Doing crunches or working on an "ab machine" will get rid of belly fat.
Don't believe everything you hear on those late-night infomercials. While an ab-crunching device might help strengthen the muscles around your midsection and improve your posture, being able to see your abdominal muscles has to do with your overall percentage of body fat. If you don't lose the belly fat you won't see the ab muscles. But can doing ab crunches help you to lose that belly fat? Experts say no. You can’t pick and choose areas where you’d like to burn fat, So crunches aren't going to target weight loss in that area. In order to burn fat, you should create a workout that includes both cardiovascular and strength-training elements. This will decrease your overall body fat content, including the area around your midsection.
     Fitness Myth No. 3: If you're not working up a sweat, you're not working hard enough. Sweating is not necessarily an indicator of exertion. Sweating is your body’s way of cooling itself. It's possible to burn a significant number of calories without breaking a sweat: Try taking a walk or doing some light weight training.