Fitness
Busting 5 common wellness myths
During one of my recent doom-scroll sessions on the ‘Gram, I came across a fitness influencer who sticks “yoga teacher & nutritionist” against her name, has 236,000 followers, and in one of her videos was claiming to teach us how to ‘naturally’ increase our height.
The first exercise to increase your height, according to the influencer, is three sets of hanging from a bar for 30 seconds. I have been a monkey all my life and hanging from a bar is something I started doing as a kid and, firmly in my 40s now, I still do it. Since forty years of hanging from a bar failed to do anything for my height, it got me thinking how much of such ‘fitfleuncer’ content is actually factual and scientific.
While I shall save the question of whether one should follow fitness, health, wellbeing, and nutrition advice from someone with vague credentials on a social media platform for another day, for now let’s explore how much water some popular health myths hold.
A spoon of ghee/butter in coffee is good for health:This is a topic of debate in the health and wellness world, says Shalini Garwin Bliss, executive dietician at Manipal Hospital in Gurugram. She notes that proponents of this argue that the healthy fats in ghee or butter can provide a slow-release source of energy and promote satiety. However, Chandni Haldurai, the head nutritionist at Cult Fit, warns against doing this, no matter how delicious it sounds.
“Coffee with ghee or butter may sound delicious, but it’s not always a good idea. Although these fats can give you a brief energy boost, their high-calorie content quickly adds up. This tendency may not be helpful for people seeking to control their cholesterol or weight,” says Haldurai. It’s crucial to remember that this extra fat contributes to increased calorie intake, potentially hindering weight management efforts, adds Bliss.
Apple cider vinegar is good, helps burn fat:This idea is big these days as not only influencers but gym trainers and coaches also support the idea of having daily doses of apple cider vinegar. While there are several potential health advantages of apple cider vinegar, including improved digestion and prevention of increases in blood sugar, it is not a miracle cure for weight gain, says Haldurai.
“There is no magic bullet for weight loss. Simply consuming apple cider vinegar daily is unlikely to lead to significant weight loss without complementary lifestyle changes like a balanced diet and exercise,” says Bliss.
A comprehensive strategy for weight management that incorporates nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle modifications is the only efficient way to achieve and maintain weight loss. Alas, it’s common to exaggerate claims of miracle weight loss without making the necessary efforts, say coaches and nutritionists.
Jaggery and demerara sugar are safe:Sugar is the top enemy of anyone even mildly invested in health. But many simply replace refined sugar in their diet with jaggery and demerara sugar. Next time you put that second spoon of jaggery or demerara sugar in your tea or coffee, you should remember that despite being less processed than refined sugar, both are still sugars and can have an impact on blood sugar levels.
“Due to their low processing and trace nutrients, they might be marginally preferable solutions, but people with prediabetes or diabetes shouldn’t choose them. Anyone ingesting these alternatives needs to practice moderation and keep an eye on their blood sugar levels,” warns Haldurai. Moderation is all sugar and sugar substitute intake is the key, warns Bliss.
Freshly squeezed and cold-pressed juices are healthy:It is indeed true that fruit juices that have been freshly squeezed or cold-pressed retain more nutrients than packaged juices. But all such juices have little to no fibre. Due to their high fibre content, which helps slow down the absorption of sugar, whole fruits provide the most advantages, says Haldurai. However, if you must have your fruits in liquid form, smoothies that are made with whole fruits, yoghurt, or vegetables are preferable, since they retain fibre and offer a more well-balanced vitamin profile.
Hanging leads to height gain:Saved the best for last. If only hanging from bars actually led to height gain, many of us would have been giants. There is no good evidence or study to support these claims, says Dr. (Prof.) Amite Pankaj Aggarwal, directorand head of the department for orthopaedics, Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh in New Delhi.
“It’s amyth that certain exercises or stretching techniques, such as pull-ups and hanging from a rod, can make you grow taller,” says Aggarwal, dismissing the tall claim.
Height gain depends on a lot of factors, from one’s genetics to diet to muscle strength, explains Dr. Poonam Sidana, neonatologist and paediatrician, CK Birla Hospital, NewDelhi.“Those who go out and play sports such as basketball are more likely to grow stronger because they are actually running around and are able to use all their bigger muscles. So, it really is a combination of things and cannot be attributed to a single activity,” adds Sidana.
Shrenik Avlani is a writer and editor and the co-author of The Shivfit Way, a book on functional fitness.
Fitness
Should You Exercise In The Morning Or Evening? Deepika Padukone’s Trainer Weighs In
Last Updated:
Yasmin Karachiwala, who has trained Deepika Padukone and Alia Bhatt, revealed if one should work out in the morning or evening for best results.
Consistency is more important than workout timing.
For anyone trying to stay fit, finding time to exercise often feels like the biggest workout of all. Between work meetings, social plans, and family responsibilities, sticking to a consistent routine can be challenging. And amid all the wellness advice flooding social media, one debate never seems to end – what’s the best time to exercise: morning or evening?
Celebrity fitness trainer Yasmin Karachiwala, who has shaped the physiques of stars like Deepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif, Alia Bhatt, and Preity Zinta, recently reignited the conversation. She asked her followers a simple but relatable question: “Are you team Morning or team Evening?”
Why Timing Matters Less Than Consistency
According to Yasmin, there’s no universal ‘best’ time to work out. It’s about what fits you. Morning workouts appeal to early risers who enjoy starting their day on an energising note. Exercising first thing can boost mood, metabolism, and mental clarity. But for others, evenings are when their body feels warmer, stronger, and more flexible, making strength or endurance workouts more effective.
Food timing is another key factor. Some prefer training on an empty stomach, while others need a light pre-workout meal for an energy lift. And then there’s environment – some thrive in the hustle of a busy gym, others focus better in quieter spaces. Yasmin’s take: it’s about listening to your body’s rhythm, not forcing it into someone else’s routine.
The Power Of Showing Up
What truly defines success, Yasmin insists, is consistency. Whether it’s 6 a.m. Pilates or a 7 p.m. spin class, regularity beats perfection. “The best time is whenever you can stay consistent and enjoy it,” she emphasises. Her approach, honed over decades of training Bollywood’s fittest, prioritises longevity over quick fixes. Workouts are tailored not just for aesthetics but for balance by improving posture, flexibility, and mental wellness alongside strength.
Fitness That Fits Your Life
For those still caught between sunrise runs and post-work gym sessions, Yasmin’s advice offers freedom: stop overthinking the clock. What matters most is that your workout feels sustainable and enjoyable.
In a world obsessed with trends, her philosophy cuts through the noise. Fitness isn’t about finding the perfect hour; it’s about showing up, every day, in whatever hour works for you.
Delhi, India, India
October 29, 2025, 09:03 IST
Fitness
Scientists just debunked a popular exercise myth and the truth might surprise you – Metabolic
You’ve probably heard the claim that too much exercise “uses up” your heartbeats, as if the heart were a battery with a limited charge. New research says the opposite is true. A fit heart actually beats less over time, making each beat more efficient and possibly adding years to your life.
A team from Australia’s Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute and the St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research found that physically active people use fewer total heartbeats per day than those who are sedentary. Here, we’ll look at what the researchers discovered, how it challenges a long-standing health myth, and what it means for your heart, longevity, and fitness habits.
Exercise myth debunked: the truth about heartbeats
The study, published in JACC: Advances, compared the daily heart activity of trained athletes and inactive adults. The difference was striking. On average, athletes’ hearts beat about 68 times per minute, while non-athletes clocked in around 76. Over 24 hours, that’s roughly 97,920 beats for the active group and 109,440 for the inactive—a savings of more than 11,000 beats a day for fitter individuals.
Professor Andre La Gerche, head of the HEART Laboratory at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, explained that this efficiency is what sets a fit heart apart. “Even though athletes’ hearts work harder during exercise, their lower resting rates more than make up for it”, he said. In other words, your heart doesn’t wear out from regular workouts—it gets stronger and smarter.
Participants with the highest fitness levels had resting heart rates as low as 40 beats per minute, compared to the typical 70–80 bpm seen in most adults. Despite bursts of intense activity, their total daily heartbeats remained lower overall. This finding directly challenges the old “finite heartbeats” theory that exercise depletes the body’s limited energy supply.
“The fitter you are, the more metabolically efficient your body becomes”, La Gerche said. “Even if you’re training hard for an hour a day, your heart beats more slowly for the other 23 hours”. That lower resting rate is linked with better cardiovascular function, reduced disease risk, and longer lifespan.
The biggest improvement, according to La Gerche, comes from going from unfit to moderately fit. Just a few hours of regular activity a week can make a measurable difference in how efficiently your heart works.
Other exercise myths worth forgetting
Here are a few other common misconceptions that science continues to dismantle:
- You have to work out hard every day to see results. Rest and recovery are part of training. Muscles repair and strengthen when you give them time to recover.
- Cardio is all you need for heart health. Strength training, mobility work, and flexibility exercises also support heart function and metabolic health.
- Morning workouts are always better. The best time to exercise is when you can do it consistently.
- Sweating means you’re burning more calories. Sweat is about cooling your body, not a measure of fat loss or workout effectiveness.
Exercise doesn’t burn through your heartbeats—it helps you use them wisely. A strong heart beats slower, lasts longer, and keeps you healthier. Fitness is about training your body to use it efficiently.
Fitness
Give Back Monday: how RyzAb0ve Fitness is making exercise fun
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WJZY) — RyzAb0ve Fitness is a Charlotte non-profit, providing inclusive group exercise classes, obstacle challenge events, and social events for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Their programs are designed to build physical strength and friendships at the same time.
They also organize social events and outings like dinners, bowling, and trips to sporting events to help build meaningful connections between our athletes and instructors.
Co-founder and Executive Director, Ryan Bost said they offer classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Hive Fitness, as well as other class times.
Athletes and volunteers who want to get involved can visit their website to learn more.
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