Technogym: Healthy Minds and body

Build a healthy mind and body with Technogym.

Leaders in high-tech, high-performance gym equipment, Technogym is known for its holistic approach to fitness.

“Technogym is known all across the world as ‘The Wellness Company’ – a company that has helped to develop the hedonistic concept of ‘fitness’ into a true lifestyle: Wellness. Living the ‘Wellness’ lifestyle means regular physical activity, correct nutrition, and a positive mental attitude.

As such, a large part of the company’s focus is on education. The company’s educational drive does not only focus on informing clients about their equipment and services but also about correct nutrition and exercise regimes.

And a large part of that is busting myths about what you need to do to achieve certain results: especially when it comes to toning your midsection or building a six-pack.

“A search on the net might leave you thinking that the only real way to see the toned midsection you want is to cut out carbs, do sit-ups all day and spend hours at the gym, but that’s not the case,” says the team at Technogym.

Here they dispel five common misconceptions about building a six-pack:

1. You have to cut out carbs

“Cutting one of the main food groups out of your diet won’t make much difference. Initially, you may see more definition in your midsection, however, this is primarily water weight loss, which will come back. Remember, carbs give you energy. You need this energy to move, exercise and feel good about yourself. What’s more, resistant starch (found in carbs such as potatoes) can help you burn a staggering 23% more fat.”

Instead, they advise to rather cut back on sugar.

2. You have to do targeted ab moves to see abs
“You can do all the ab exercises in the world, but if there’s a layer of fat that sits above your ab muscles, you won’t see them. Sadly, doing sit-ups and crunches for hours each day will not burn through this fat. So, it’s important to burn through the fat to see the abs.”

Rather, focus on the correct diet and moving regularly throughout the day.

3. Cardio is the main exercise you need
“Whilst cardio is great for heart health, mental well-being and general fitness, it is resistance training that really gives you the physique shape you’re desiring. Lifting weights promotes muscle growth, and using the concept of progressive overload – increasing the weight increases over time – essentially keeps muscles challenged and allows them to keep adapting and growing. As these muscles develop, and fat burns off, toning occurs.”

Adding compound lifts such as squats and lunges that engage your core to your exercise routine will also help tone your abdominal muscles.

4. You need to exercise every single day to see your abs

“Rest days certainly aren’t for the weak. In fact, the strongest people ensure they take time off exercise. If you’re working your abs every day, they will never get a chance to recover, relax and repair. It’s during this recover and repair period that muscles grow.”

If you don’t want to sit still for an entire day, opt for a yoga class or stroll for some gentle exercise.

5. You can spot-reduce fat

“Sadly you cannot. If it was that simple, none of us would have any fat on our bodies! For many of us, fat around the midsection can be common. In fact, due to female hormones, a lot of women find that the tummy area is the hardest area in which to burn fat as hormones often dictate that fat be stored here.”

Instead of focusing on a specific area, rather focus on maintaining the health and well-being of your entire body.