Mitchell Hooper is one of the most active elite Strongman athletes across all of social media. The World’s Strongest Man frequently puts out educational content, looking to help people perform better at any level of physical activity. So, most recently, Hooper released a YouTube video where he debunked the ten biggest fitness myths.
Trends and sayings are often quickly popularized in the fitness community, but in some instances, they may not be correct. Furthermore, Mitchell Hooper used his years of experience in Strongman, bodybuilding, powerlifting, and marathon running, as well as the knowledge he gained in pursuit of his Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology, to give his thoughts on the most common myths when it comes to working out.
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Mitchell Hooper Exposes Ten Major Fitness Myths
1. ‘Specific Warm-Ups Are Crucial’
Firstly, In his advice on warm-ups, Mitchell Hooper emphasizes their importance for any workout. However, he suggests omitting specific warm-up routines for certain exercises.
Mitchell Hooper’s Warm-up Advice:
- Emphasizes the crucial role of warm-ups for all workouts.
- Suggests skipping specific warm-up routines for certain exercises.
- Recommends performing 3-4 sets of actual working sets with lighter weights to elevate core body temperature.
“This is way overpopularized… You will never prevent every possible injury. So, just get stuck in and don’t overcomplicate your warm-up.”
2. ‘X Diet Will Make You Healthier”
Mitchell Hooper dismisses the efficacy of specific diets, noting their tendency to promote misleading outcomes. While some diets may lead to weight loss by restricting certain food groups, they also limit essential nutrient intake, potentially harming overall health.
“Any diet that has a name that has a particular restriction or a particular focus is all a lie! We just need to focus on eating a general variety of fruits and vegetables, meats, grains, and everything else to get a good breath of micronutrients and macronutrients. Any diet that purports to be any sort of miracle is lying to you.”
3. ‘Exercise Will Help You Lose Weight’
Mitchell Hooper addresses the controversial myth that exercise inevitably leads to weight loss. Furthermore, he argues that exercise often stimulates increased food consumption, negating any potential calorie deficit. Instead, Hooper emphasizes that the primary goal of exercise should extend beyond weight loss, focusing on enhancing cardiovascular health, mental well-being, and various other benefits.
“The literature, again and again, tells you that exercise is not helping you lose weight… We are, of course, going to increase the calories out when we exercise, as a byproduct of movement, heat, sweating… But what is consistently shown is that your appetite also starts to match. So, you are exercising more, but you are also eating more. The only way that you are going to start losing weight is by dieting.
That being said, there are many independent variables that exercise benefits you from a health perspective. Exercise is the only way to lose visceral fat that will kill you.”
4. ‘Creatine Is a Gateway Drug’
Mitchell Hooper challenges the misconception that creatine supplements come with severe side effects. Moreover, he highlights its extensive research-backed benefits and recommends it to everyone. Also, Hooper clarifies that creatine primarily serves as an additional energy source for short bursts of activity and emphasizes that it doesn’t induce steroid-like effects.
“This is absolutely absurd… Creatine monohydrate is totally fine. Creatine is the energy source for the first five seconds of movement… That is all creatine is; there is no hormone, and there is no extra secret pathway.
The only time you shouldn’t take it is if you are having sensitive bloodwork done or when you are pregnant… Creatine is not just recommended; I believe it is an absolute must for anyone who resistance trains to any extent.”
5. ‘The Pro’s Are Doing Something Different’
Mitchell Hooper challenges the belief that professional athletes adhere to intricate training routines, asserting that many at the highest level follow simple regimens. He criticizes social media coaches who prioritize filming complex exercises for viral attention, as it reinforces this misconception.
Additionally, Hooper unveils that the squat, a basic exercise, stands out as the ultimate movement for sports necessitating rotational force. This revelation underscores the exercise’s simplicity and effectiveness, debunking the notion that specialized workouts are necessary for elite performance.
“The basis of what they are doing is working very hard and being very consistent; that is it, add on some genetic gifts and you get to a really good spot…
The pro’s are doing much less complicated stuff than you think… Normal stuff will get you where you want to go, as long as you are interested, consistent, and apply the method of progressive overload.”
6. ‘Carbs Are Evil’
Many people fear consuming carbs while dieting due to the misconception that they are inherently bad. Moreover, Mitchell Hooper dispels this myth by highlighting that carbohydrates are essential, serving as the primary fuel source for short-term activities. However, he warns against excessive carb intake, as it can lead to fat accumulation.
“Carbs are incredibly delicious and are an energy source for any exercise that lasts shorter than 3 minutes. It is the primary energy source for any moderate-to-high-intensity aerobic work… You store carbohydrates in your muscle, your muscles are bigger, and you look better.
An excess of carbohydrates is going to turn into fat, just like an excess of anything else, vegetable or fruit. But carbohydrates are vital for normal human function.”
7. ‘Fat Is Evil”
Mitchell Hooper extends his debunking efforts by addressing the misconception that fats are universally bad. He emphasizes that not all fats are equal, advocating for the inclusion of omega-3 and omega-6 fats in one’s diet to promote overall health, especially during weight loss endeavors.
“There is no evil when it comes to food. Fat is an energy source. It helps your nails, hair, skin, and joints. Now, trans fats are bad, fried food; we are not looking for that. But fish fat, omega-3 and omega-6 fat are vital for your health. It improves your cholesterol, it improves your blood pressure, and your long-term health outcome.”
8. ‘There Is a Hack To Building Strength or Muscle’
Mitchell Hooper stresses that building strength and muscle requires consistency and dedication, dispelling the notion of shortcuts. He emphasizes that there are no quick fixes, highlighting consistent training as the most significant factor for improvement in these areas.
“There is no hack; you just get in and work hard, as much as you can recover from. Honestly, what I believe has made me a champion is that I don’t miss a day in the gym. I don’t miss a rep, set, or attempting anything for a decade. Your consistency is what matters most.”
9. ‘Aesthetics Reflect Your Health’
Mitchell Hooper sheds light on the misconception that outward appearance always reflects internal health. He underscores that even individuals at a normal body weight may not necessarily be healthy. Hooper advocates for prioritizing lifestyle changes over solely focusing on weight loss as a means to improve overall health and well-being.
“This place in the middle, where people are at a normal bodyweight and shredded, clearly they must be healthy. This is entirely untrue. The healthy body fat range for a male is somewhere between 12 and 18 percent. People with visibly shredded abs are well below that…
We have a growing pandemic of something called ‘Normal Weight Obesity”, where you look at someone and they look fine from the outside. But, their visceral fat, the fat around their organs, which you can’t see, is extremely high. They are at the same risk of cardiovascular disease and early death as someone who is in the obese category.”
10. ‘Your Workout Must Be Perfect’ (Significant One)
Mitchell Hooper emphasizes the importance of enjoying workouts rather than viewing them as a chore. He highlights that what works perfectly for him may not yield the same results for others. Therefore, Hooper suggests that individuals tailor their workouts according to their own preferences and desires for optimal effectiveness and enjoyment.
“You have to do things you enjoy. You are going to be consistent over the long run and you will not hate your life for it… If you enjoy the process, you will get to a really productive place.”
View the full video below:
Mitchell Hooper, fresh off defending his titles at the 2024 Arnold Strongman Classic in Ohio and the UK edition, is now gearing up for the 2024 World’s Strongest Man competition. With approximately three weeks remaining until the event, Hooper is already showcasing remarkable strength and determination as he aims for a second consecutive victory.
Overview
Mitchell Hooper, an active Strongman athlete on social media, recently debunked ten fitness myths in a YouTube video. Furthermore, with expertise in various disciplines and a Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology, he offers insights into common misconceptions surrounding workouts, diet, and training. Moreover, Hooper emphasizes the importance of simplicity in training, the necessity of balanced nutrition, and the value of consistency in achieving fitness goals. Lastly, as he prepares for the 2024 World’s Strongest Man competition, Hooper remains dedicated to fitness education.
Featured Image @Mitchell Hooper Debunks 10 Fitness Myths, @ Mitchell Hooper (YouTube & Instagram)