Just like many girls aspire to a body like Elle Macpherson’s, most guys look to weight training as their ticket to good looks and success with the opposite sex. Weight training has heaps of health (and looks!) benefits for guys – but there’s a lot of misinformation about it too. Here are some of the top myths about weight training for men.

Myth: If I train hard enough, I’ll eventually look like a bodybuilder

Only if you have extremely peculiar genetics, or are willing to put the rest of your body and mind on the line by taking steroids.

Myth: More weight training equals more muscles

This is true, as long as you pace yourself carefully. If you injure your muscles by overtraining you may even lose muscle mass. Give yourself a minimum of 5 days to rest in the beginning, and work down to 3.

Myth: More reps/sets is better

Actually, paying proper attention to your technique while performing the movement is the most critical part of your weight training success.

Myth: Following a pro bodybuilder’s weight training program will help me grow my muscles

Everybody is different – following the program of someone with radically different genes to you might well injure you, make you lose muscle mass… and turn you off weight training altogether.