You’ve probably heard it many times: “No pain, no gain”. People promoting hard fitness methods on social media want you to work hard to reach your goals. But how difficult is too much?
You should never hear a professional athletic trainer suggest painful exercises to achieve gains. On the contrary, experts warn about the “no pain, no gain” myth.
What does “no pain, no gain” mean?
Gym-goers have been using this saying for a long time to motivate them to keep pushing through hard workouts. 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.
But is it 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.
When you ignore the sensation of pain, you put your body at risk. Pushing forward even when you are very hurt can cause you harm. It can cause serious injuries. So, it becomes important to learn what triggers the signal and how you should react to it.
Why do I feel pain when exercising?
When you hurt while you are exercising, it means there is something wrong with what you are doing. 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. A good workout program that varies from person to person can help you avoid injury.
Pain can also indicate that you are not performing a movement properly, such as lifting weights with a rounded back, for example. If you use a professional personal trainer, you will eventually have the right posture. Pain can also indicate that you are not performing a movement properly, such as lifting weights with a rounded back, for example.
Even though pain may help you challenge yourself, it does not mean you must keep going if you continue to suffer pain. Pain is the way your brain is trying to tell you to stop 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. Soreness affects the whole area you’ve trained.
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 limits your range of motion and causes you to feel a lot of pressure. It usually only appears when you do certain movements or when you apply certain pressure points to your body. Additionally, it can be accompanied by swelling, an inflammation response, or even bruising. When pain like that occurs, it is usually a sign that there is a risk of injury or that you have an injury. You should stop doing certain activities and avoid causing problems for others. You need to stop when the pain occurs.
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 can also focus on learning proper postures and techniques with corrective personal training.
Want more information on getting fit and healthy naturally? Future Fitness offers a team of fitness experts who can provide people with the best fitness advice and services to help them feel as comfortable as possible while they work out.
