Sarah Healy physiologist and columnist unpacks the myths about exercise and gets straight to the point!

Extra flexible people are double jointed – Nope, not a thing in humans.

Joints can be hypermobile, but there are definitely no extra joints in there! In fact, hypermobility features joints that easily move beyond the normal range expected for that particular joint. Which can be very handy for the contortionist and party trick, but alas, not an extra joint in sight!

Running is bad for your knees –

Research has found recreational runners have a lower risk of developing osteoarthritis than non-runners.  Everything within reason, of course, as the studies also showed that runners training and competing at a very high level for more than 15 years have the same likelihood of developing osteoarthritis as the general population. If I were talented and dedicated enough to be able to compete at such a high level for so long, I’d be happy to take that risk.

You need to wear ACTIVEWEAR to exercise – Definitely not.

Anything comfortable to move in will work. I’ve been known to get a few exercises done before breakfast in my PJ’s, so no judgement from me! We know everyone loves a good lycra but its about movement not lorna.

When you ride with a group you must stop for coffee – full disclosure, I used to ride in a bunch and more often than not we stopped for a coffee, but I’m just saying you don’t have to.

You need to be fit to attend an aerobics class (now known as group exercise classes) – the class is how you get fit not the other way round. Stand up the back, do what you can, adlib the rest.  

If you have a sore knee, treat the knee – nope.

Remember that song “the hip bone is connected to the thigh bone, the thigh bone is connected to the knee bone…?” Well, when one area of the body hurts, it is often also influenced by another area. It’s amazing how often my clients with chronic shoulder pain have low back pain as well. Treating one specific area doesn’t address the rest of what is going on in there!

Our bodies are very good at compensating and finding the easiest way to do something. If we can’t squeeze our shoulders back, we’ll arch our lower back by tilting our hips to create a similar movement. This compensatory action can create strain or overuse of the lower back muscles.

If you’re not losing weight, your exercise isn’t working – WRONG.

There are endless benefits to exercise, and I will gladly list a few for you – improved heart health, lung health and mental health, decreased the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, many cancers. Regular exercise reduces the inflammation in your body, decreasing strain inside and out. There is more, but I have a word limit, you get the point though.

Want to get in touch with Sarah and find out more about healthy healing? This inspiring human can be found HERE.

About Sarah Healy:

Exercise Physiologist – AEP AES ESSAM | Bachelor of Applied Science – Human Movement |Graduate Diploma – Exercise for Rehabilitation | Cert IV – Training & Assessment An Exercise Physiologist with over 13 years of experience and has been employed in the sport and fitness industry since 1996. Sarah works with individuals experiencing pain, musculo-skeletal injuries, posture/muscle imbalances and those that have developed anxiety relating to exercise and movement.