Myths and malpractices of exercise demystified: Rujuta Diwekar

Faced with a host of lifestyle diseases like obesity, diabetes and blood pressure, people as young as teenagers are turning to fitness centres, says author Rujuta Diwekar, whose new book demystifies exercise.
"Exercise is the in thing - gyms are cropping up in every nook and corner, roads are occupied by recreational runners and yoga schools have an enviable waiting list. But along this has grown the number of injuries and disillusionment at not getting results," says Diwekar.
Trainer and nutritionist Diwekar, whose celebrity clients include the likes of Kareen Kapoor, Preity Zinta and Anil Ambani was here recently to launch her book "Don't Lose Out, Work Out" in which she talks about various myths and malpractices about exercise.

"It is sad to see that there are just too many malpractices which are prevalent in the centres. The diets which are supposed to make people healthier and fitter are making them weaker and older," she says.
She writes about how youth are duped on a large scale at the centres as they are unaware of the "suitable" exercise for their bodies.
"Gymmers must know that they can fight the malpractice with better education about the right type of exercise suitable for a particular body," she says.

Some trainers, she points out, impart incorrect instructions such as drink less water to reduce calories but they contradict body metabolism.

An adult is required to have 55-60 per cent water content in the body and some physical trainers use techniques like reducing water intake to make clients instantly lose weight, which in the long run is detrimental for the body
Breaking such myths is what Diwekar aims for saying "the science of exercise must be reachable and understood by all."
"General assumptions that the more we sweat means more calories burnt is wrong. Sweating is a cooling process and that does not burn calories. Myths have occupied our minds which now seems very obvious to us," she says.
Others common myths prevalent for many generations the book points out are -Walking is the best exercise, running on the treadmill weakens the knee, doing 'cardio' is best for the joints and the legs, 'crunches' for flat stomach, and gymming makes you bulkier.