Buzz
Conflicting gym advice is everywhere. Some experts warn against specific exercises, while others argue over tiny details, like the exact angle of your elbows during a press. These opposing views can be frustrating when you’re seeking reliable guidance, but there’s usually a logical explanation for such stark disagreements—if you dig deeper.
Before exploring why these differences exist, it’s important to acknowledge some universal truths in fitness. These principles are reliable, and when in doubt, you can always return to them:
Strength training is essential, and it needs to be sufficiently challenging to be effective.
Cardio is equally crucial, and aim for at least 150 minutes per week.
Consuming adequate protein supports all body composition goals, whether building muscle, losing fat, or maintaining fitness.
No sensible exercise is inherently dangerous.
Consistency always outweighs perfection.
Now, let’s explore some reasons why fitness advice can often feel so confusing...
Different fitness cultures have their own unique approaches and methods
Are you into bodybuilding, powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting, CrossFit, running, cycling, or kettlebell training? If you’re unsure where you fit, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the conflicting advice.
Each of these groups has distinct practices shaped by their goals and traditions. For instance, Olympic weightlifters often squat as low as comfortably possible to mimic competition movements, while powerlifters stop just below parallel to meet competition standards and maximize efficiency.
This divide is evident wherever conflicting advice arises or when one training style’s followers critique another. Military fitness tests demand strict pull-ups, while CrossFit competitions favor speed, encouraging techniques like kipping or butterfly pull-ups. Each group prioritizes what aligns with their objectives.
If your goal is simply to perform “a pullup” or “a squat,” it’s no surprise you’re feeling confused about the correct technique. There are numerous valid approaches! One solution is to choose a specific discipline as your guide. For example, if you aspire to compete in powerlifting—or simply admire powerlifters (though we disagree)—consult powerlifters or trusted powerlifting coaches when in doubt.
Alternatively, adopt a zen mindset and accept that every method is valid, and no single approach is the definitive answer.
Some fitness facts are technically accurate but not particularly helpful
While the fundamentals of fitness are straightforward, people enjoy discussing it and need more to talk about than just “consistency matters” or “lift heavy weights.”
As a result, excessive focus is placed on minor details. For instance, a few studies showed slightly reduced strength gains in individuals who did more cardio, leading some lifters to avoid cardio entirely. (This is an overreaction, as the idea that “cardio ruins gains” is largely exaggerated and not entirely factual.)
This mindset also drives people to fixate on the best supplements without mastering basic nutrition, or to debate which curl variation is superior instead of simply heading to the gym and doing curls.
The key takeaway is that you’ll encounter countless debates about whether something is true or false, or if X is better than Y, when in reality, it often doesn’t matter. When unsure, revisit the foundational principles mentioned earlier.
People often promote ideas they want to believe
Some confusion stems from outright misinformation, such as the outdated myths circulating on TikTok. Spot-reducing fat (like losing belly fat through ab exercises) has never been possible, yet many continue to suggest otherwise because it’s what their audience wants to hear—or because they want to believe it themselves.
At Mytour, we aim to debunk these myths whenever possible. However, when you’re on your own, sticking to the basics is your best bet. If someone claims to offer a shortcut that renders the basics irrelevant, it’s almost certainly too good to be true.
