Do you believe in ‘no pain, no gain’ in exercising?
You’ve heard it before: “No pain, no gain”. People promoting hard fitness methods on social media want you to work hard to reach your goals. But how hard is too hard?
The truth is that you’ll never hear a professional athletic trainer recommend pain to get gains. On the contrary, experts warn about the “no pain, no gain” myth.
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What does “no pain, no gain” mean?
Some gym-goers quote this saying as a way to encourage them to continue to work hard. Many gym-goers believe that if you are not able to feel pain while you exercise, you are not working hard enough to be physically strong.
The belief is the following: You have to exercise until you feel pain and then through the pain to build up the endurance and toughness required to grow stronger muscles.
Is that true?
The problem with “no pain, no gain”
Pain is a signal your brain sends to let your body know that it is time to stop. Pain is linked to many causes, but one thing is certain: The brain isn’t trying to test your toughness. Its giving you a warning signal.
If you disregard the pain signals that you are given, you are putting your body in danger. Pushing through the pain can have harmful consequences and even lead to an injury. It is necessary to know what triggers the pain signal and how you should react.
Why do I feel pain when exercising?
Pain means that there is something wrong with the current exercise. It may also be related to your posture or your fitness level. Because the problem usually doesn’t come from within the body, you can understand it better so that you can respond to it more appropriately.
Pain can signal that you are performing the same movement too often and too much. This could lead to muscle strains or fractures in severe situations. Varying your workout and listening to your body can help prevent the issue.
Pain can also indicate that you are not performing a movement properly, such as lifting weights with a rounded back, for example. Practicing with an experienced personal trainer can ensure you master the right postures. Pain can also indicate that you are not performing a movement properly, such as lifting weights with a rounded back, for example.
Ultimately, pain is not a challenge you must overcome to get fitter or stronger. When you feel pain, your brain is telling you to stop doing what you are doing.
Muscle soreness vs. pain
People often think that they’re experiencing muscle soreness when in fact it is pain they are feeling. People develop sore muscles, or delayed onset muscle soreness, which is a natural response to any challenging routine. It can be uncomfortable but typically disappears after a rest period. Sore muscles affect all the muscles that you’ve worked.
Some people only feel pain when they are trying to move or press certain muscles. This pain is more local and can be very sharp. It can limit your range of motion. Sometimes pain will be associated with certain movements or pressure points in your body. When it is associated with pain, it may lead to swelling, an inflammatory reaction, or even bruising. This type of pain is indicative of a risk of injury or an existing injury. It is very important that you stop doing what you are doing when you feel pain.
Are you are trying to get fit, but are enduring constant pain? It can be helpful to reach out to your doctor to check for potential injuries or weaknesses. You should also spend time practicing good postures and proper techniques when you work with a good personal trainer.
Want to find out more about getting fit without the pain? Future Fitness in Fort Worth, TX, has a dedicated team of experts providing personal training and corrective training to help people achieve their fitness goals as painlessly as possible.